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News Search Results for: bin Adaptec RAID 6805E RAID Controller @ techwarelabs.com [May-01-12] (0 Comments) The topic of RAID has come up again here at TechwareLabs with the A daptec ASR 6805E RAID card taken for a spin. We compare the Adaptec card ag ainst a single Western Digital hard drive connected to the motherboard, and Two/Four Western Digital drives in a stripe using both the 6805E and on-mo therboard RAID. Diablotek May Release 7" Android Tablet with $129 Retail Price @ techwarelabs.com [May-01-12] (0 Comments) Seems Diablotek may release a 7 GeIL EVO CORSA 16GB DDR3 2133MHz CL10 PC3-17000 @ techwarelabs.com [Apr-27-12] (0 Comments) The EVO CORSA 16GB quad channel kit proves it is ready for prime ti me and will assist - not hinder - the creation of a workhorse computer read y for any combination of strenuous tasks. Join TechwareLabs as we put this RAM kit through the Labs! Western Digital VelociRaptor 1TB (WD1000DHTZ) @ techwarelabs.com [Apr-26-12] (0 Comments) The one storage drive line that has bucked the trend over the years and managed to create noticeable separation between itself and its contend ers/pretenders, and that is Western Digitals VelociRaptor line. Prior to SS Ds hitting mainstream, the VelociRaptor line, with its 10,000 RPM spindle s peed, was the pinnacle of performance and was the defacto choice for anyone that put performance before price. Fast forward to present day, where wide spread competition is making SSD drives more and more affordable the Veloc iRaptor line isnt enjoying the same V.I.P treatment from enthusiasts it onc e used too. Today we take a look at the new Velociraptor CustomSLR C-Loop HD and Split Strap Camera Strap for DSLR Cameras @ techwarelabs.com [Apr-18-12] (0 Comments) So you like to take pictures and either already own a Digital SLR c amera or are getting ready to purchase one. It goes without saying that you intend to use your DSLR to take pictures and probably often. You should be thinking usability and comfort. With all that extra quality comes larger l enses and more bulk. You still want those great pictures but like me are se arching for an easier more comfortable way to carry and use your DSLR. Dragon NaturallySpeaking 11.5, Premium Edition @ techwarelabs.com [Apr-17-12] (0 Comments) Back in the misty dawn of the modern age, voice recognition softwar e and the technologies that incorporated it fell so far short of the advert ised and often over-hyped mark, that bummed out users were left to cry in t heir beer. We wanted so much for the technology to be usable, for it to wor k! For speech to be a serious input source of actual utility, like a keyboa rd or mouse. Brite-Strike Lightning Strike Tactical Flashlight @ techwarelabs.com [Apr-16-12] (0 Comments) The Lightning Strike is a 65-lumen LED flashlight intended for self -defense and everyday carry. Will this tactical flashlight fit your needs w ithout busting the bank. Read our review at TechwareLabs.com to find out. Crucial Adrenaline Solid State Cache @ techwarelabs.com [Apr-11-12] (0 Comments) One of the biggest issues with SSD right now is the price. But Cruc ial has come up with a solution. With the Crucial Adrenaline, you can get t he blazing fast speed of an SSD while maintaining the massive storage and c heap prices of a hard drive Super Flower Golden King 500 W @ techpowerup.com [Apr-11-12] (0 Comments) Today we are going to rigorously test another Supe r Flower product, the Golden King 500W; a non modular PSU which combines top performance, 80 Plus Platinum efficiency and an affordable price. T he cherry on top is the super quiet operation. At low temperatures it ca n even go fanless. Corsair Vengeance M90 Gaming Mouse @ techwarelabs.com [Apr-09-12] (0 Comments) The M90 is a good first product geared toward MMO and RTS gaming. T hey also have a sister product the M60 geared toward FPS games. The M90 has an aluminum metal framease that gives it solid feel without a lot of wei ght. The brushed aluminum also is a nice contrast to the rugged black plast ic. The mouse has a nice ergonomic shape that makes using the mouse for lon g periods of time comfortable. ASRock Fatal1ty x79 Professional Intel 2011 Motherboard @ techwarelabs.com [Apr-04-12] (0 Comments) With the release of Intels X79 chipset and new 2011 socket it was o nly a matter of time before we saw Motherboards aimed at the gamer.X79 brin gs Quad Channel memory architecture and PCI 3.0 supporting the RAM and Vide o Cards respectively. Finally we get to take a look at the infamous ASRock Fatal1ty Professional Motherboard with the new X79 Chipset. The new X79 chi pset brings PCI3.0 and Quad Channel Ram onto the Intel market. PCI3.0 is ai med squarely at gamers because of its throughput for the latest high end GP Us and this board has 4x of them. Fatal1ty has always been aimed at the pow er-user and gamer and they have (seemingly) not disappointed at first glanc e.All of thisleaves us excited to get our hands on the board. ASRock has gi ven us this boiled down spec sheet which leaveus drooling... [Affiliates News] NZXT HALE82 750W Power Supply @ aphnetworks.com [Apr-03-12] (0 Comments) If you are white and you live in North America, chances are that you are not a part of the visible minority. That is, unless you are studying engineering here at the University of Calgary, or you are a computer power supply. While the Faculty of Engineering is dominated by Asians and most PSUs are black, a little over a year ago, NZXT decided to be brave and decided to be different -- they made a white power supply unit. The 80 Plus Gold certified NZXT HALE90 is certainly nothing short of impressive. It combines excellent performance, impeccable reliability, near silent operation, and top notch efficiency along with a sleek, unique appearance. So if the NZXT HALE90 is so distinguished from the competition, why did they resort to conformity and make the HALE82? As its name suggests, not only is it no longer over ninety percent efficient, it has also the same appearance as every other PSU. Hmm. So is distinguished excellence out, and blending in with the crowd back? Or is there more to the story? Read on to find out! ASUS Xonar Essence One DAC & Headphone Amplifier @ techpowerup.com [Apr-02-12] (0 Comments) ASUS Xonar Essence One is the name of a brand new DAC & Headphone amplifier combination from ASUS. The unit ca n decode 192 kHz source material and features a well performing headphon e amplifier stage that allows for op-amp swapping. Sapphire HD 7850 OC Radeon @ techwarelabs.com [Mar-28-12] (0 Comments) TechwareLabs reviews the Sapphire HD 7850 OC showing a reasonably p riced Radeon card with Eyefinity puts up benchmark numbers that challenge o r surpass the NVIDIA 500 series. We benchmark the HD 7850 OC on a PCI 3.0 a nd PCI 2.0 motherboard to see if the HD 7850 OC has what it takes to take a dvantage of this new technology. 10 Things to Consider Before Setting Up RAID @ techwarelabs.com [Mar-21-12] (0 Comments) RAID, the final frontier. These are the voyages of...ah, who am I k idding? Choosing to implement RAID today isnt embarking on a mission to bol dly go where no one has gone before. This technology has literally been aro und for years, and today RAID support can be found within most operating sy stems, integrated on motherboards, or easily added to any system as a 3rd p arty controller for almost nothing (quick search on Amazon yields controlle rs for less than $30). With its wide availability, you may find yourself at some point contemplating taking the plunge and configuring a RAID setup on your own system. However, before doing so, there are some things you shoul d consider. Warpia Easy Dock Pro SWP220 @ techwarelabs.com [Mar-16-12] (0 Comments) Ever wanted to display multimedia content from your laptop to that television? I have, and for time had to settle with my laptop being over by my TV while I sat on my couch. XBOX720 and PS4 Consoles Revive PC Gaming @ benchmarkreviews.com [Mar-15-12] (0 Comments) Electronic video games became a trillion dollar industry once they made the leap from quarter-gobbling cabinets to console and later PC. Grooveshark Bluetooth Kit by Livio Radio @ techwarelabs.com [Mar-13-12] (0 Comments) The Grooveshark Bluetooth Car Kit Adapter for Android based phones by Livio Radio (Model LVC03G) is a device that allows you to play streaming audio via GrooveShark through your vehicles radio. has too many raw illegal characters @ techwarelabs.com [Mar-12-12] (0 Comments) For those users that want their cake and eat it too, how do we leve rage the speed of SSD drives with the raw storage capacity of traditional s pinning drives? The answer, SSD caching. Originally only available on highe r end enterprise class storage, such as Adaptecs maxCache or LSIs CacheCade , this technology is beginning to show up in the consumer market. Essential ly this allows a user to configure one (or more) SSD drives to be used for read or write cache for frequently accessed data residing on slower spinnin g HDD media. This frequently accessed data sitting on spinning HDD media wi ll be served by the faster SSD drives, and the end result is SSD like perfo rmance with the raw capacity of traditional HDD media. Lacie 5big Office+ Nas @ techwarelabs.com [Mar-09-12] (0 Comments) Finding a backup and/or storage solution for a small business envir onment that fits a price point can often be a challenge. Deciding whether t o choose a rack-mounted solution or discrete solution, also what OS to choo se, how much storage space you need adds to that challenge. LaCie is attemp ting to tackle this challenge with their 2Big and 5Big NAS solutions. ToughTech mini-Q Encrypted Portable Drive @ techwarelabs.com [Mar-06-12] (0 Comments) WiebeTech a brand of CRU DataPort has released a product that is un like any portable drive we have reviewed previously. The mini-Q is a 2.5 TechwareLabs Powerbag Give Away Contest @ techwarelabs.com [Mar-01-12] (0 Comments) We are giving away a red Powerbag Sling bag at TechwareLabs. Entry for the giveaway is simple. All you have to do is Like our Facebook page an d respond to the comment there between now (2/27/2012) and 3/4/2012 11:59 P M. Posting multiple times does not enter you multiple times. The winner wil l be contacted within 1-2 days from the close of the giveaway, and then the ir name will be posted on our page. Remember To LIKE Our Facebook Page! Genius Ring Mouse @ techwarelabs.com [Feb-28-12] (0 Comments) Ever wanted a reliable wireless mouse for presentations? The Ring M ouse brought to you by Genius does that and more. The Ring Mouse is an awar d-winning device for its ingenious design and works as well for the busines s person as it does someone who simply wants an easy way to thumb through m ultimedia on their home machine. Asus DirectCU and DirectCU II for AMD:6850, 6870, 6950, and 6970 @ pcper.com [Feb-27-12] (0 Comments) The build quality and ability to overclock for all of thesecards is above average. The cooling ability combined with low noiseoperation is another big advantage for all of these cards. Asusoffers a very good warranty, and the included bundles are decent(though not necessarily outstanding). The prices for these cards isabove that of reference boards, but I do believe the unique designsand better cooling performance set these well apart from referencecards. They are certainly worth the extra price. Epic Gear Meduza Gaming Mouse with Hybrid Dual Sensor Technology @ techwarelabs.com [Feb-23-12] (0 Comments) Today we are taking a look at the Epic Gear Meduza gaming mouse. Wh at sets this mouse apart from the legions of other gaming mice is its HDST (Hybrid Dual Sensor Technology) which means the mouse is equipped with both an optical and a laser sensor. The idea behind this is that you can buy on e mouse and have the choice between super fast laser or ultra stable optica l with only the flip of a switch. Read on to see if this new tech can deliv er the best of both worlds. Megacon 2012 Orlando Event Coverage @ techwarelabs.com [Feb-20-12] (0 Comments) Its that time of year again and Techwarelabs was on site to get you inside shots and coverage of Megacon 2012. Wall to wall cosplay kids, teen s, and adults lined the halls of the Orlando convention center as vendors a nd celebrities awaited eagerly. This year saw an expansion of the event int o a second hall and even more vendors, artists, and celebrities. Everything you could want in sci-fi, cosplay, D&D, comic book, and collectibles you c an find here. Cyborg R.A.T.7 Albino Edition Gaming Mouse @ eteknix.com [Feb-15-12] (0 Comments) We get the chance to test out the rather unusual lookingR.A.T.7 Albino Edition gaming mouse, and boy were we surprised... easyCover Nikon D90 Camera Case @ techwarelabs.com [Feb-14-12] (0 Comments) Quality cameras are not cheap, so you want to do the most you can t o help keep yours safe. Check out this review to see if this is right for y our investment. Le Pan II Android Tablet TC979 @ techwarelabs.com [Feb-13-12] (0 Comments) When it comes to Android tablets it seems that just about everyone offers one. Features tend to blur together and you get lost in the confusio n. So which one is a good model, and what do you buy? Stick to name brands only or venture out into the lesser known brands? On first impressions the Le Pan II gets high marks. Le Pan who you say? Pay attention to this brand as if they continue the trend this will be a company to watch. Toddy Smartcloth Screen Cleaner @ techwarelabs.com [Feb-10-12] (0 Comments) Toddy is introducing their new Smart Cloth screen-cleaner, claiming significant improvements over the current state of the art. But, one may s ay, dont I already have a drawer full of soft cotton T-shirts and a handful of those microfiber things already? This is a fair question, since a great many of our readers might say exactly the same thing. We show you why you should reconsider using your shirt and why the Toddy is worth your money. Diablotek SSD to USB 3.0 SATA Adapter @ techwarelabs.com [Feb-08-12] (0 Comments) Diablotek brings to the table a small USB 3.0 device that on one en d has a SATA data and power connector, and on the other a small standard si zed USB 3.0 connector. This device promises SSD speeds across a single USB 3.0 port. Prolimatech Genesis CPU Cooler @ techwarelabs.com [Feb-03-12] (0 Comments) Newcomer to the cooling scene, Prolimatech, debuts their Genesis CP U cooler. This behemoth is a hybrid horizontal and vertical cooler that aim s to keep your computer cool. Read on to find out if the Genesis can stand up to the epic overclocks that we send its way. Asus DirectCU II Roundup:ENGTX560, ENGTX570, and ENGTX580 @ pcper.com [Feb-01-12] (0 Comments) The ENGTX580 is in a bit of a bind. When viewed by itself oragainst other GTX 580 cards, it really proves its worth once coolingand overclocking abilities are considered. It is on the same level asthe MSI N580GTX Lightning, but it is a slightly larger card in that ittakes up three slots as compared to two. It does not match the MSIN580GTX XE, which is a 3GB card, but it is also significantly cheaper(and actually available) as compared to that other high end card.Where it stumbles is when being compared against the brand new AMD HD7970. Powerbag Backpack @ techwarelabs.com [Feb-01-12] (0 Comments) Ever wish you could charge your gadgets on the go? Wall outlets too far apart to satisfy your gadget lust? Powerbag shows us their new solutio n for charging on the go. Sapphire 7950 Overclocked Edition Video Card @ techwarelabs.com [Jan-31-12] (0 Comments) With the release of the new Radeon 79xx series cards we may have wi tnessed a change in graphics King. The 7970 is without a doubt currently th e performance king. The problem is priced anywhere from $579 for the standa rd edition 7970 to over $800 for an overclocked version you have a card tha t few but the affluent can afford. Into the Sapphire 7950 Overclock Edition an enthusiast level graphics card more than capable of rendering any game you want to play even in Eyefinity (as we will demonstrate) for a mere $480 or lower. This puts it in a much more affordable and thus more appealing c ategory. Sapphire AMD Radeon HD 6670 @ techwarelabs.com [Jan-26-12] (0 Comments) Today we have the Sapphire AMD Radeon HD 6670. This is, among other things a low-profile graphics card capable of being installed in an HTPC w ith half-height PCI brackets. Coming in at just under $90, this card is Lian Li PC-90 Case/Chassis @ techwarelabs.com [Jan-20-12] (0 Comments) So once again Lian Li has changed up the computer case design while leaving the exterior of the case unchanged. Just when you think there isnt much else you can do with a computer case, Lian Li comes in and WOWs you o nce again. Check out why we feel the PC-90 should be on your watch list for a new case for its features and game changing design. Epson LabelWorks LW-400 Label Printer @ techwarelabs.com [Jan-17-12] (0 Comments) If you have ever worked in an office or professional environment of any kind, then the likelihood is that you have used a label maker. These s mall devices help keep things organized and easy to find. They are essentia lly small printers designed to put text on a sticky tape meant for folders, but they can do much more as the Epson LW-400 will show us. Sapphire Radeon HD6450 Flex Edition Video Card @ techwarelabs.com [Jan-16-12] (0 Comments) In addition to being a low profile silent media PC ready card, the Sapphire Radeon HD6450 Flex Edition video card also boasts triple DVI monit or support right out of the box. This is impressive for a sub $100 card, Bu t what kind of performance can a $70 card really provide? See why this supe r cheap card packs features and performance that may just surprise you. CES 2012 Booth Babes Day 3 @ techwarelabs.com [Jan-14-12] (0 Comments) We plan to get your day warmed up with our day 3 booth babes galler y direct from the parties and show floor of CES 2012. Sit back and enjoy th e hot babes captured just for you. Netgear Showcases Network Products @ techwarelabs.com [Jan-14-12] (0 Comments) Today at Netgear Pre-CES 2012 Press conference we were given a conc lusive? overview of their upcoming line of networking storage, media, and c onnectivity tools. They announced some pretty cool Booth Babes - Day 2 @ techwarelabs.com [Jan-13-12] (0 Comments) We are back with day 2 coverage of the hottest babes from the CES f loor and at the parties. Today we have some extra hot smokin babes, furry t ails, and some floor action as well. CES 2012- Zotac, iBuyPower, ADATA, NZXT Party @ techwarelabs.com [Jan-13-12] (0 Comments) Zotac,iBuyPower,ADATA,NZXThosted a media party at the Palms Fantasy tower thisCES2012 season. Checkout some of the action from the event! has too many raw illegal characters @ techwarelabs.com [Jan-12-12] (0 Comments) No CES would be complete without coverage of the hot girls that app ear at the booths and parties. This year TechwareLabs CES 2012 Day 1 covera ge includes some Pron hotties and even some wet girls in a pool at the IBuy Power/NZXT/Zotac party. Enjoy! TechwareLabs Event Coverage: CES2012 Monster Press Conference @ techwarelabs.com [Jan-10-12] (0 Comments) This year at CES 2012 Noel Lee of Monster intruduced us to the conc ept of fashion audio as well as an entire new line of audio devices and acc essories. Take a look at our coverage of their Pre-CES press event and newe st products as well as celebrity appearances. TechwareLabs Coverage of Multiple CES 2012 Events @ techwarelabs.com [Jan-09-12] (0 Comments) Our TechwareLabs CES 2012 Coverage begins. We would certainly appre ciate a news post on any of the following stories you might find interestin g. OCZ RevoDrive Hybrid 1TB PCI-E Storage Solution @ rwlabs.com [Jan-07-12] (0 Comments) Aimed mostly towards professionals and enthusiasts the latestRevoDrive Hybrid 1TB PCI Express Storage Solution by OCZ combines thebreathtaking read/write speeds of the RevoDrive3 PCI-E SandForce based SSDwith the large capacity of a 1TB 2.5inch hard disk drive, all in one veryconvenient package. Thermaltake Level 10 GT Snow Edition (VN10006W2N) Case @ techwarelabs.com [Jan-03-12] (0 Comments) Today cases are evolving every day in look, functionality, and prac ticality. Most cases offer a great solution but obvious flaws in one of the se fields. With that we have found the Holy Grail:The Level 10 GT from The rmaltake. We have seen and reviewed the Asus Transformer TF101 Android Tablet @ techwarelabs.com [Jan-02-12] (0 Comments) Much like the netbook market, tablets have come of age and everyone seems to want one. Also similar to netbooks it seems that the market is sa turated by tablets from many different manufacturers. Asus can be credited for making the netbook market a reality and for offering some of the finest netbooks made. Today we take a look at the Asus Transformer tablet to see if Asus has kept the tradition of offering an excellent product in the tabl et market. Cooler Master GeminII S524 CPU Cooler @ techwarelabs.com [Dec-21-11] (0 Comments) With the recent attention shift to closed loop CPU water cooling, a ir coolers are starting to move out of the limelight. But, the fact is, goo d air coolers still offer features that water coolers are not able to. That is exactly what Cooler Master has done with their newest CPU air cooler, t he GeminII S524. Rather then compete directly with the new behemoth coolers , the GeminII shifts its focus from simply cooling the CPU to also cooling nearby components. Read on to find out if that will be enough to keep the c ompetition at bay. Crucial Ballistix 6GB DDR3 2133 MHz RAM Triple Channel Kit @ techwarelabs.com [Dec-07-11] (0 Comments) The price of DDR3 has fallen rapidly lately, making it much more af fordable to populate all of your RAM slots. Crucial introduces their new DD R3 2133 MHz Ballistix RAM in a triple channel kit. Find out if you should b e using this with your i7. ROCCAT ALUMIC Gaming Mousepad @ techwarelabs.com [Dec-02-11] (0 Comments) Is this the item to complete you gaming arsenal? Come read to find out if the ALUMIC mouse pad by ROCCAT is the lynchpin to your road game. Tt eSPORTS Meka Mechanical Gaming Keyboard @ techwarelabs.com [Dec-01-11] (0 Comments) With the recent explosion of mechanical gaming keyboards on the mar ket from many of the major manufactures, it is no surprise that Tt eSPORTS has one of their own to show off. Read on the see if this compact mechanica l gamer is fit for your rig. Lian Li PC-TU200 Case @ techwarelabs.com [Nov-30-11] (0 Comments) With the push for lower power draw, high performance chips right no w, we are seeing more and more small form factor products popping up. Today Lian-Li introduces its new small form factor case, the PC-TU200, but will it have what it takes to shine in this competitive market? Synology DiskStation DS712+ NAS @ techwarelabs.com [Nov-29-11] (0 Comments) In a post desktop world its important to have a centralized storage of all your critical documents and files. Synology has released the DS712+ able to handle all your NAS needs. The DS712+ features a small but powerfu l set of software tools to help you get the most out of this powerful hardw are without breaking the bank. To:MIME-Version:Content-Type; @ techpowerup.com [Nov-23-11] (0 Comments) Arctic has been diversifying their product range gr eatly in recent years. While their foray into some things like toys or g aming consoles may be a bit too far fetched for some, the MC001-BD Media Center takes the company back to the roots. The Home Theater PC offers all the bells & whistles like Blu-Ray, USB 3.0, Intel Atom in combinatio n with Radeon Mobility graphics and much, much more, while managing to c ool the entire system passively. We take a look at the new, compact syst em along with a few accessories to see if it can take center stage and s hine. Deleted File Recovery:Disaster Planning and Avoidance @ techwarelabs.com [Nov-21-11] (0 Comments) If data loss is not on your radar right now it should be. We show y ou why data loss is 100% avoidable and what free and low cost options you h ave to ensure the safety of your critical files. TechwareLabs covers everyt hing from online options to physical hardware to backup and protect your da ta. Griffin Helo TC RC Helicopter @ techwarelabs.com [Nov-16-11] (0 Comments) With their new Helo TC RC Helicopter, Griffin aims to improve upon the general formula for indoor RC helicopters by swapping out an iOS device for the standard RC remote. The end result is a bit of a letdown, but the brilliance Griffin aimed for can still be seen, though it is obscured by a few glaring issues. Western Digital TV Live @ techwarelabs.com [Nov-15-11] (0 Comments) Sometime ago we reviewed the WDTV which is a great product, but as with everything in technology field products evolve. The next product in th e evolution of the Western Digital TV series is the WD TV Live Hub and we h ave reviewed it for you here. NZXT HAVIK 140 CPU Cooler @ rwlabs.com [Nov-06-11] (0 Comments) The very first attempt in the CPU Cooling field by NZXT calledthe HAVIK 140 may not be the best of the best amongst similar dual fansolutions but it combines excellent performance with surprisingly low noiselevels making it ideal for people who pretty much want the best of bothworlds. Raidmax RX-1200AE High Efficiency Bronze Power Supply @ techwarelabs.com [Oct-31-11] (0 Comments) Picking out a power supply for a build can often be a daunting task . Wattage, plugs, fan size, efficiency, and name brands are all deciding po ints. Raidmax, a trusted brand in power supplies, has sent us their 1200AE Bronze power supply. Lets take a look at different efficiency certification s and where the 1200AE stacks up. ASRock Z68 Extreme7 Gen3 Intel Motherboard @ techwarelabs.com [Oct-25-11] (0 Comments) Over the course of the last 4 years ASRock has matured into a compa ny capable of providing some of the best constructed and fully equipped mot herboards on the market. The ASRock Z68 Extreme7 Gen3 Intel Motherboard is packed full of performance and functionality to enable high-power computing and to fully unleash the potential of the latest processors, video cards, storage, and, power efficiency technologies. Zotac A75-ITX WiFi Motherboard @ techwarelabs.com [Oct-19-11] (0 Comments) The number of HTPC motherboards for the AMD A-series CPUs is shocki ngly low. Here to fill that void is Zotac with their A75-ITX motherboard. R ead on to see if it has what it takes to be worthy of sitting next to your TV. Fractal Design Core 3000 @ missingremote.com [Sep-27-11] (0 Comments) * So far we have reviewed two chasis from fractal designstheDefineR3 ATX chassisandthe Define Mini Micro-ATXChassisandhave been impressed by their build quality and aesthetics. Today we arereviewing a chasis in their Core line which aims to provide a uniquecombination of design, features, cooling performance and value. The FractalDesign Core 3000 mid-tower desktop case builds off of the entry level Core1000 by adding improved cable management, more cooling options and removablehard drive bays to allow for longer graphics cards of up to 420mm in length.*ARTICLE URL*:http://www.missingremote.com/review/fractal-design-core-3000 ASUS ROG Matrix GTX 580 Platinum 1.5GB Graphics Card - Best of @ pcper.com [Aug-25-11] (0 Comments) ASUS may have perfected the GeForce GTX 580 with the Republicof Gamers Matrix GTX 580 by combining a customer designed board, powersystem and cooler that sets it above the rest of the cards we havetested in house. The only downside to this card is the slower thanexpected default clock speeds that come dangerously close to thereference cards that may turn off potential buyers. For anyenthusiast looking at a ~$500 GPU though, overclocking, even withbasic tools like the included GPUTweak software, is a must and I thinkthe Matrix GTX 580 offers up one of the best environments to get themost from the Fermi GPU. Razer Imperator 2012 Expert Dual Sensor Gaming Mouse @ eteknix.com [Aug-22-11] (0 Comments) Razer have tried to create one of the best mice possible with the Imperator 2012. They have incorporated two sensors in what they call the 4G Dual Sensor System which gives a very impressive 6,400 DPI and should allow it to track on any surface due to the combination of an Optical and Laser Sensor. Zotac GTX 560 Multiview Video Card @ techwarelabs.com [Aug-22-11] (0 Comments) The Zotac GTX 560 Multiview brings native 3 monitor support to the nVidia table. With HDMI, DVI-d, and DP on a GTX 560, how can you go wrong? We show you why the GTX 560 may bring some additional problems to the table. EXCELERAM EP3001A PC3-10666 RAM @ techwarelabs.com [Aug-15-11] (0 Comments) When looking for a triple channel RAM kit for an INTEL i5 system we came across EXCELERAM out of Germany. We obtain their triple channel EP300 1A 6GB RAM kit and ran it through a few tests for you. The kit at delivery contains three 2GB DIMMs of PC3-10666 1.50V at 9-9-9-24 DIMMS. How to Overclock Your Computer 101 @ techwarelabs.com [Aug-09-11] (0 Comments) Even amongst computer hardware enthusiasts, overclocking is a subje ct that is not always completely understood. At the most basic level, overc locking is merely making hardware such as the CPU or RAM run at clock speed s that are above stock. This allows the user to achieve an increase in perf ormance without spending extra money on faster parts. Follow our guide and learn the basics about overclocking. Top Ten Green Tips for Your PC @ techwarelabs.com [Aug-05-11] (0 Comments) Join TechwareLabs as we help you to turn your mean machine into a g reen machine through a few simple and easy steps that can help to make your computing more eco friendly. AMD A6-3650 APU/Processor @ techwarelabs.com [Aug-04-11] (0 Comments) As you might know, AMD has managed to remain the leader in graphic chipsets, but Intel still holds both the mobile and hybrid computing market s. This is where the Accelerated Processing Unit (APU) comes in to play for it is a combination of CPU and GPU all rolled into one. It is AMDs respons e to Intels SandyBridge and referred to as Llano. The AMD A6-3650 is the bu dget-friendly little brother to the AMD A8-3850 we did a review on last mon th. MSI N580GTX Lightning Xtreme Edition :What a GTX 580 Should Be @ pcper.com [Aug-03-11] (0 Comments) When two of these are put together, they make one of the bestSLI/NVIDIA Surround combinations out there. While a user can purchasea GTX 590 (dual GPU card) for $150 more than the N580GTX LightningXtreme Edition, they will not get the extra memory space. Then again,purchasing two of the N580GTX Lightning Xtreme Edition cards will seta user back $1198 (give or take a few dollars). This card is not forthe faint of heart, or those light of wallet. Still, when consideringa high end card that *should* last quite some time, then there are fewother cards that can compete with this monster. AMD A8-3850 Lynx APU Processor @ benchmarkreviews.com [Jul-01-11] (0 Comments) When AMD merged with ATI in 2006, they immediately began working on combining discrete level graphics onto the die with an x86 CPU, thus Streacom HDMI Audio Mix Cable @ eteknix.com [Jun-30-11] (0 Comments) Streacom are a company who were founded in 2010 with their goal being focusing on combining superior design and quality with the latest material and production techniques. They aim to deliver solutions that will precisely meet customer requirements regarding features, performance and quality. They offer a variety of products which all have their individual ways of solving problems that have previously arisen. TechwareLabs :SuperSpeed USB 3.0 INEO I-NA309D Pro @ techwarelabs.com [Jun-28-11] (0 Comments) One thing you cannot have enough of is storage. Weather it is to store pictures, movies, or critical files a high capacity storage drive is essential to almost everyone. Some of us require a bit more space and finding the right combination of speed, capacity and ease of use is hard. The SuperSpeed USB 3.0 INEO I-NA309D Pro may just satisfy your needs. Roccat Kulo Stereo Headset @ eteknix.com [Jun-17-11] (0 Comments) Headsets are a very popular and nearly essential extra to the gaming industry as well as a very useful accessory for communications. For this reason we see a lot of new headsets coming to the market by the big gaming brands such as SteelSeries, Roccat and a few others. There is also a huge variety in headsets ranging from small discrete headsets that just do the simple job of combining a pair of headphones with a microphone or some splash out a bit and give you the full 5.1 surround sound experience, or at least try to. AMD Fusion System Architecture Overview - Southern Isle GPUs and @ pcper.com [Jun-17-11] (0 Comments) This is a big deal for AMD. While they have had troublekeeping up with Intel on the CPU side, we can see that they have hadno problems staying ahead with graphics. Their push towardsheterogeneous computing is also shared with NVIDIA, and their combinedefforts towards utilizing this functionality will benefit both in thelong run. Intel is still more CPU-centric, but we are starting to seethem taking a larger interest in this technology. The cancelledLarabee project may have been misguided in terms of addressing thegaming and graphics market, but the parallel computing ramificationsof this part and its extreme programmability hint at things to come. TechwareLabs News:SuperSpeed USB 3.0 INEO I-NA309D Pro @ techwarelabs.com [Jun-10-11] (0 Comments) One thing you cannot have enough of is storage. Weather it is to store pictures, movies, or critical files a high capacity storage drive is essential to almost everyone. Some of us require a bit more space and finding the right combination of speed, capacity and ease of use is hard. The SuperSpeed USB 3.0 INEO I-NA309D Pro may just satisfy your needs. TechwareLabs :Alienware M11x R3 Ultraportable Gaming Laptop @ techwarelabs.com [Jun-05-11] (0 Comments) The uptraportable meets gamer in this mashup laptop that combines killer looks, functionality, and performance. Now you can really take your gaming with you in a sub 5lb package without making huge sacrifices. It can be done and we show you how Alienware did it with our review of the M11x R3. Reply-To:MIME-Version:Content-Type:Message-Id: @ techpowerup.com [May-16-11] (0 Comments) ADATA aims to combine performance, quality and price with the Nobility N005. Priced to please the mainstream user, it offers a sturdy aluminum enclosure and advertises solid performance numbers. We take the drive for a spin to see if they have managed to combine the best of the three attributes or if it is too good to be true. Cooler Master Turbine Master Mach 0.8 Fan @ eteknix.com [Apr-26-11] (0 Comments) With the recent releases of peripherals from Coolermaster, the product I have in front of me today goes back to the company’s roots – cooling. The Coolermaster Turbine Master 0.8 is a fan that boasts silence, great cooling and ultra-reliability. Fans are very basic devices that are often overlooked, many OEM fans make a lot of noise but in terms of cooling, they are left wanting. The last thing an enthusiasts needs is a noisy system which runs hot. Win a BitFenix Colossus Window White Chassis @ eteknix.com [Apr-26-11] (0 Comments) There are only FIVE days left to enter!eTeknix are offering up another competition. This time we have teamed up with our friends at BitFenix to offer you a chance to win a BitFenix Colossus Window White Chassis. Full details on the caser can be found on the BitFenix website here! Entry Details:[*]Be a member of eTeknix. You can register here![*]Like the eTeknix Facebook page. You can do so here![*]Like the BitFenix Facebook page. You can do so here![*]Tweet this competition article![*]Comment below telling us why you should win this case!Please send all of your news to news@eteknix.comMany thanks, eTeknix.com News Team Cooler Master Mach 0.8 Fan @ technic3d.com [Apr-06-11] (0 Comments) The Cooler Master Turbine Master Mach 0.8 Fan arrived Technic3 D. The Silent 120mm Fan with 14,0 dB(A) and 800 U/min for your Case or CPU-Cooling can you see in the following Review on Technic3D. Roccat Kova+ Mouse @ rbmods.com [Mar-15-11] (0 Comments) Quite some time ago we reviewed the Roccat Kova mouse that was a combination of a mobile mouse and a gaming mouse, it performed well and we were impressed with the performance. Today we got the new upgraded version named Kova+, we are going to take a look at this mouse and see what new features it has, and how it performs. a-JAYS Four @ rbmods.com [Feb-24-11] (0 Comments) Jays is well known here in Sweden for their high quality earphones, they have now released a-Jays four which is a iPhone heaset/earphones. The question is; have they managed to combine both a headset and been able keep the sound quality of their previous earphones? VisionTek Killer HD5770 Combo Card @ benchmarkreviews.com [Feb-16-11] (0 Comments) The VisionTek Killer HD5770 Combo Video Card combines a Bigfoot Networks Killer E2100 NIC and a Radeon HD5770 GPU to offer a complete Nvidia Researching Subpixel Reconstruction Antialiasing @ ngohq.com [Jan-29-11] (0 Comments) Subpixel Reconstruction Antialiasing (SRAA) combines single-pixel (1x) shading with subpixel visibility to create antialiased images without increasing the shading cost. SRAA targets deferred-shading renderers, which cannot use multisample antialiasing. SRAA operates as a post-process on a rendered image with superresolution depth and normal buffers, so it can be incorporated into an existing renderer without modifying the shaders. Arctic Cooling Freezer 13 CPU Cooler @ eteknix.com [Jan-26-11] (0 Comments) The Freezer13 will eventually replace the Freezer7 Rev2 as Arctics flagship cooler and on the evidence of these tests consumers wont be left disappointed. The performance is on a par with the already excellent Freezer7 series and does so with a lower noise profile. In fact, with Cool n Quiet enabled the fan is eerily silent and easily able to handle the Phenom II overclocked to 3.8GHz @1.5 Vcore on all four cores. Combine that with the excellent new design, proven reliability from Arctics previous products and a retail price below £25 - the Freezer13 truly is the bang for buck king! Apple Mac App Store @ techreviewsource.com [Jan-06-11] (0 Comments) Today is the official start of CES here in Las Vegas, but Apple is grabbing some headlines of its own with the official launch of the Mac App Store. Much like the iOS App Store for the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad, the Mac App Store allows users a single, unified place to go for OS X applications.As usual, Apple CEO Steve Jobs was on hand to boast about his company=E2=80=99s latest efforts in software distribution. =E2=80=9CWe thin k users are going to love this innovative new way to discover and buy their favorite apps,=E2=80=9D said Jobs in a press release. Learn and Play @ rbmods.com [Jan-05-11] (0 Comments) Children usually show an interest between 4-6 for learning to read and write. Our 5 year old son is now at that point, he also loves the ipad and we found this application that combines both of his interests. The app is called ‘Alphabet Fun’. What to Expect from Desktop Graphics in 2011 @ pcper.com [Dec-29-10] (0 Comments) 2011 may not be nearly as exciting for users as this past 1.5years has been, but it will likely have a few surprises from not justAMD and NVIDIA, but also Intel and their latest integrated graphics inthe upcoming Sandy Bridge series of parts. From all indications, itwill shake up the integrated stronghold that AMD has kept with the880G/890GX parts. We also will see the first Fusion parts from AMDgain a foothold in the market, and hopefully a much more robustdesktop CPU/GPU combination with Llano in a timely manner. Nvidia GTX 570 Specs leaked @ eteknix.com [Dec-01-10] (0 Comments) Suggesting that the card will come equipped with 480 processing cores running a core clock of 732MHz, 1280Mb of GDDR5 ram with the Memory clock at 1900MHz (giving a combined of DDR3800Mhz). VIA Nano DC and VN1000 P - Dual Core Nanos Finally in the Pipe @ pcper.com [Nov-09-10] (0 Comments) VIA really needs to get these products out the door quickly,as the market is about to experience another burst of competition.The main source of worry for the folks at VIA (and possibly Intel aswell) is the upcoming AMD Ontario and Zacate parts. The amazingly lowTDPs of these processors, combined with their unique dual corearchitecture and what looks to be class leading graphics performance,has apparently struck a chord with many manufacturers hoping to getinto higher powered netbooks and tablet products. RUBIN Screen Protection Film for iPad @ rbmods.com [Sep-11-10] (0 Comments) We recently picked up an iPad from Apple to expand what we can review at the site, today we are looking at an important accessory Palit GeForce GTX 460 1GB Sonic Platinum - Rivaling the GTX 470 @ pcper.com [Aug-27-10] (0 Comments) Palit has done a great job combining the popular and flexibleGeForce GTX 460 GPU with a custom design and highly overclockedsettings to create a mid-range graphics cards that offers next-levelperformance for a price that is much more manageable for the everydaygamer. If you have been looking for an upgrade path in the $250 pricerange then the Palit GTX 460 1GB Sonic Platinum card is a fantasticoption! ASUS N61Jv Optimus Core i3 16-in Notebook @ pcper.com [Jul-27-10] (0 Comments) My overall experience with the ASUS N61Jv was extremely positivethanks to the performance the Core i3 processor and NVIDIA GT325M GPU offer,the large screen and keyboard/touch pad combination. For a 16-in notebookcoming in over 6 lbs, which definitely puts it closer to the desktopreplacement category than the thin and light, getting 2 hours and 23 minutesin our very strenuous battery testing was actually pretty solid makingleaving without your power cord at least an option. The added goodies likeUSB 3.0 support definitely add the value of a notebook that sells for $899which should make it a great option for a summer or fall college-boundconsumer or anyone else on the lookout for this combination. AMD, Laptops Galore, and the Phenom II X4 960T (RIP) @ pcper.com [May-13-10] (0 Comments) Single, dual, triple, and quad core processors combined with a Cooler Master CM690 II Advanced Midtower Case @ legitreviews.com [Jan-06-10] (0 Comments) Overall, I really like the Cooler Master CM690 II Advanced PC gaming case. It is very easy to work in and on. The ability to remove items from the case that are not needed or to make room for things like dual radiators without cutting up a perfectly good case is a really big plus. The ability to use multiple 120mm or 140mm fans, and combinations thereof, to cool the case is a big plus. I also really liked the overall look of the case. It has simple lines and not an in your face aggressive design, but more blending in and not look out of place in my living room. MSI Wind-Top AE2220-25SUS PC @ benchmarkreviews.com [Jan-04-10] (0 Comments) MSI has taken their portable Wind-series netbook computer system and combined it with the functionality of a full-featured desktop AMD Radeon HD 5970 2GB - AMDomination @ pcper.com [Nov-18-09] (0 Comments) The new AMD Radeon HD 5970 graphics card takes PC gaming performanceto a completely new level by combining a pair of Evergreen-based GPUs on asingle PCB, 2GB of GDDR5 memory and plenty of headroom for overclocking.For a single card system, the performance that the HD 5970 provides issimply unmatched but that does not mean the card is without its slightmisgivings. Nexus Edge Case @ rbmods.com [Nov-07-09] (0 Comments) Nexus is one of the leading manufacturers of computer power supplies and enclosures. Their products are combined with great quality with reasonable price. Today we will have a look at their newest enclosure Nexus Edge, which is aimed for enthustiastic markets and highend users. Gigabyte GTX 260 Core 216 Super Overclock Video Card @ legitreviews.com [Oct-28-09] (0 Comments) Today we get our first ever look at a video card from Gigabyte, the GTX 260 Core 216 Super Overclock. That’s a mouthful, but I suppose we have NVIDIA to thank for that! This video card from Gigabyte features the wildly popular GTX 260 core 216 GPU, but does fine screening of the cores to get the very best. These top bin chips are then mated to a PCB that features an extra 2 ounces of copper on the PCB, along with high quality voltage regulators, to bring you the highest clocked GTX 260 core 216 of any manufacturer. The standard core clock of 576MHz has been bumped up to 680MHz, which is an 18% frequency boost over the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260 reference design. With clock speeds like this you can expect 3% better performance than standard GTX 275 graphics cards... Zalman MFC3 LCD Fan Controller @ rbmods.com [Oct-16-09] (0 Comments) Fans can be noisy and disturbing to a work environment, but we all know that stressing PC hardware provides excessive heat that can be damaging to the components. Fan controllers come in handy to keep the noise in check during office work, but crank up the air when gaming. RBMods reviews the Zalman MFC3 LCD Fan Controller. Read on for the full review. TweakTown Storage Product Testing - Our How To Video Guide @ tweaktown.com [Sep-30-09] (0 Comments) There are many programs on the market to test hard drives. Personally I would love to use every single one of them in testing, but don’t think I could keep you interested for 30 pages of benchmarks. In the past every hard drive was the same; you had cache, platter speed, platter density and interface, boom, bing, bam, run the tests write it up and call it a day. AMD Eyefinity Demonstrations on Batman, Left 4 Dead, Far Cry 2 and more! @ pcper.com [Sep-23-09] (0 Comments) This technology shift allowed AMD to create a new class of GPU thatwill support at three displays per graphics card and will eventually add a6-display option to its ranks. Not only does this add to the already welldocumented benefits of multiple displays from a productivity perspective,but AMD has added in something unique for the gamers out there:super-highresolution multi-monitor gaming. Imagine the option of being able tocombine 6 30 Swiftech Apogee GTZ Core i7 Waterblock @ legitreviews.com [Sep-13-09] (0 Comments) Here is Swiftech’s flagship CPU waterblock, the Apogee GTZ i7. Now if you happen already have an Apogee GTZ for your LGA775 system the GTZ i7 is the same block but with the LGA1366 mounting hardware; speaking of which, you can buy the mounting kit, Apogee-GTZ-Ci7-HD, to transplant the waterblock from your LGA775 system to your LGA1366 system. In all I’m rather impressed with the Apogee GTZ Core i7 CPU water block. Combined with the rest of the cooling system this is the coolest the test bench has run when overclocked or otherwise. Granted, the cost of the overall cooling loop is almost double the cost of the Cooler Master V10, but it is actually quieter... AMD Phenom II X4 965 3.4GHz AM3 Processor @ tweaktown.com [Aug-20-09] (0 Comments) While it’s not the runaway success, K10 really is a great value product. It’s a quad core processor with an on-die memory controller that not only supports DDR2, but also DDR3. It’s a perfect bridge processor for AM2+ users who want to keep their current boards and memory, but get a new processor. Phenom II gives you the option of a dual channel DD2 memory controller now with the ability to go to a dual channel DDR3 memory controller by simply putting the processor into an AM3 board with DDR3 memory support, something Intel hasn't bothered to do. It’s DDR3 all the way with them. Just recently we had a look at the Black Edition 955 Phenom II processor with unlocked multipliers. Today we have been sent AMD's latest addition to its speed bin. Clocking in at 3.4GHz, this processor is the fastest clocked model to come from AMD, even when including the Athlon X2 line. Let's see how well it does. TechwareLabs s the CardScan Executive:Contact Management System @ techwarelabs.com [Aug-18-09] (0 Comments) If you have a need to enter contact information on a regular basis, then you can't miss our review of the CardScan Executive. This product is a combination of excellent hardware and great software that will make your life much easier. The CardScan Executive supports information exchange between several different e-mail and contact programs and will centralize all of your contact information needs. We test the CardScan Executive with 4 different operating systems including the new Windows 7. Did we hit any hiccups or was it smooth sailing? CoolIt Domino ALC CPU Cooler @ jonnyguru.com [Aug-09-09] (0 Comments) When it comes to water cooling a PC, there is still a number ofusers out there that cringe at the thought of having water in their chassis.Although they are focusing on the negative side of the combination, the useof water cooling in a PC has come a long way over the last few years. Withthe increase in popularity of water cooling, manufactures are creating moreuser friendly water cooling options for those that don't want to dive inhead first. The CoolIT Domino Advanced Liquid Cooling (ALC) system is justone of the examples available to the public wanting to get their feet wetwith water cooling. The Domino ALC allows a user to cool his/her CPU withwater while taking a lot of the hassles that come with water cooling out ofthe picture. Is the Domino ALC what you're looking for? Read on to find out. MSI 770 C45 - XSs @ xsreviews.co.uk [Jul-29-09] (0 Comments) MSIare a big brand when it comes to motherboards and they've receivedworld wide regard for their P35 motherboards. Since then, noteverything has gone their way, though, with some critics disappointedwith their P45 range in part down to the BIOS configuration.However, MSI have never been one to roll over and they have comefighting back with their AM3 boards. Although AMD’s 45nm processors andDDR3 memory has now been out for a while, they are still very much‘new’ and the launch of MSI’s 770-C45 motherboard coincided nicely withthe release of the new hardware. AMD, although perhaps not fully competing with Intel on performance,have introduced some great bang for buck CPUs which coupled with theplummeting price of DDR3 seem like a great combination. That then begsfor a suitable motherboard to step forward and be counted. Enter MSI’s770-C45. Although looking down the list of specifications, it mightlook a little thin on the ground in term of features, if the hype isanything to go by, this could be a great piece of kit. [Affiliates News] Eagle Arion ET-AR402IR-BK 2.1 iDock @ aphnetworks.com [Jul-24-09] (0 Comments) When it comes to Apple iPod and iPhone accessories, there iscertainly no lack of such in the market today. And there's a very good reasonwhy:Considering the iPod occupies the major market share in digital mediaplayers, and the iPhone carrying on the momentum of success of its iPodcousins -- the once proprietary connector that resides at the bottom of everyportable Apple product has interestingly become a commonplace standard formany consumer households. As a technology enthusiast myself, I don'tnecessarily adhere to a certain brand loyalty belief as much as upholding thevirtues of capitalism in buying the best product for my money. This isdirectly juxtaposed with companies building a strong brand loyalty withstrategic marketing that sells products for an otherwise uncompetitive price.You should know who I am talking about by now haha. Regardless of my views onApple as a company, when it comes to picking up a new smartphone, there's noexcuse for me to admit that the new generations of Apple's iPhone isundeniably the best for my personal needs -- combined with excellentindustrial design, wide application compatibility (Plus jailbreaking unlocksfurther limitless possibilities), excellent user interface (Again,jailbreaking and slapping on Winterboard unlocks excellent customizability),and equally as excellent media player, it captures my enthusiast heart otherthan the $$$ dumped for a factory unlocked version. Then it comes the timefor iPod/iPhone accessories. Just like its abundance of compatibleapplications for every purpose, I am just learning to reap the benefits ofowning a paradox-sounding 'proprietary standard' device with a wide selectionof accessories for every purpose. When Eagle Tech contacted me to take a lookat their new line of speakers in which they advertise in the area of awesomein performance and great prices, it didn't take me more than a moment to Intel X25-M 'G2' 34nm 160GB SSD @ pcper.com [Jul-23-09] (0 Comments) While the real-world improvements appear only marginal over itspredecessor they *are* improvements. When combined with the drasticreductions in cost, Intel will be giving the competition a real run fortheir money. If the distributors can keep their margins on the slim side,more and more SSD buying decisions will be leaning towards the X25-M G2.Let's hope Intel can keep supply high enough to make sure the prices startlow and stay low. Beast Computers Breed EVO - XSs @ xsreviews.co.uk [Jul-22-09] (0 Comments) BEAST,founded in 2005, was formed with the idea of creating a trustedidentity that could be relied upon for gaming and also providing greatsupport. Describing their computers as ‘beasts’ instead of just a rig,the company clearly has faith in their products using only the highestquality of components.Today, we have one such beast here to take for a spin; the Breed Evo.It uses the new Intel i7/LGA1366 platform and incorporates a GTX 295,water-cooling, 1600MHZ DDR3 memory and a D0 stepping of the i7 920processor. This along with all the other specifications make forimpressive reading but can the Breed Evo produce a beast of aperformance to warrant the high price tag and fend off the challenge ofmy own custom i7 rig? Let’s see what happens. ASRock NetTop ION 330 AMCP7A-ION HTPC @ benchmarkreviews.com [Jul-08-09] (0 Comments) NVIDIA Recently unveiled their ION platform, which combines a GeForce 9400m GPU to the Intel Atom mobile processor. The synergistic MSI 790FX-GD70 Socket AM3 Motherboard @ legitreviews.com [Jul-06-09] (0 Comments) We have the opportunity to look at another AMD Socket AM3 motherboard in our review today. This one is the 790FX-GD70 from MSI and it is poised to be the flagship motherboard of the AM3 lineup for MSI. MSI has been around for quite some time, and so it is no stranger to competing in the motherboard business. This board sports the 790FX/SB750 combination of chipsets, so it is the best that you can get now in the AM3 scene. It also has a total of four X16 PCIE slots, so it is ready for a multi-GPU setup to take gaming to its graphical extremes... AMD Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition Processor @ legitreviews.com [Jun-30-09] (0 Comments) For our liquid nitrogen testing we insulated the motherboard with a combination of artist eraser and Vaseline and mounted our K|ngp|n F1EE liquid nitrogen pot on top of the CPU with a dab of Arctic Silver Ceramique for the thermal compound. After pulling the pot down to around -188 Celsius we began our runs starting with 3DMark 2006. We were using a Gigabyte MA790FXT-UD5P with two Corsair Dominator GT 1866C7 2GB modules, two AMD HD4870x2 video cards at 822MHz core 950MHz memory, and a single Corsair HX1000 PSU powering the entire system. We had to push the vcore up to 1.8v to achieve the following 6.6GHz screen shot on the AMD Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition processor... TechwareLabs s the Monster Turbine Headphones @ techwarelabs.com [Jun-26-09] (0 Comments) If you like music but the standard headphones with your mp3 player or iPod just don't cut it for you then you must take a look at our review of the Monster Turbine headphones. Donning amazing headset is like strapping a high end stereo setup to your head. We compare the Turbines to headphones from Shure and Bose and bring you our take on the latest entry from Monster Cable. OCZ Vertex EX SSD Update Guide To Firmware v1.20 @ legitreviews.com [Jun-18-09] (0 Comments) When we published our review of the OCZ Vertex EX SSD on Monday we used the latest firmware available from OCZ, which was v1.11. Go figure the day after our review was published describing this issue that OCZ released firmware v1.20. Sadly, this firmware update will totally clean the drive and reset it. This means that all data will be lost, so back up if you want to update to the firmware 1.20! Since we updated the Vertex EX to firmware 1.20 we'll walk you through the process and show you how it restores performance with wiper.exe 0525... NZXT Beta @ techpowerup.com [Jun-17-09] (0 Comments) The NZXT Beta is an extremely affordable enclosure with a sub 50 US Dollar price tag. We take a close look at the case to see if any corners were cut to keep the price down or if NZXT managed to combine usabilty, a solid feature set with that low, low price tag. In other words:will it come across as cheap or affordable? Coolermaster HAF 922 @ rbmods.com [Jun-17-09] (0 Comments) Coolermaster is one of the most notable manufacturer of coolers andcomputer cases. Today we will have a look at Coolermaster HAF 922 computercase which is a combination of high quality, cool looking and innovativecooling solutions. Cooler Master V10 Hybrid T.E.C. Cooler @ modders-inc.com [Jun-13-09] (0 Comments) Today we are going to look at the Cooler Master Hybrid TEC coolerwhich combines two types of cooling, the standard air cooling andthermalelectic cooling. Will this combination prove to be a worthy optionfor users? Read on to find out. Enermax Aeolus Laptop Cooler @ pro-clockers.com [Jun-12-09] (0 Comments) The Aeolus is Enermax's attempt to bring high performance cooling tolaptops. When I say high performance, I refer to the massive 250mm coolingfan the cooler is built around. Yes, you heard it right, 240mm. This has tobe the largest fan on a laptop ever. Besides the fan, the Aeolus shares thesame theme we saw in the Aurora keyboard. Smooth and flowing aluminum is thebinding structure that supports the cooler. When I first read thespecifications on the cooler, I thought it would look grotesque because of aover-sized fan. Yet, the aluminum brings the cooler back down to earth andin a fashionable way. [News] Thermaltake V9 Black Edition Case @ virtual-hideout.net [Jun-08-09] (0 Comments) The Thermaltake V9 Black Edition was designed to be quite awindstorm, but also to be very quiet because no one wants the sound of a boxfan sitting next to them. You'll immediately notice the huge 230mm intakefan located on the left side panel. This is positioned to blow cool airdirectly onto the entire motherboard area, including CPU, memory, graphics,etc. This will be especially crucial when building a high performance dualgraphics rig, and/or overclocking your components. Add to this the same huge230mm exhaust fan located directly above the motherboard/CPU area, butinstead this time it's on top of the chassis. This is designed to suck thehot air being expelled from the red hot CPU/Chipset/Memory area of themotherboard. So cool air in the side, it gets hot and exhausts right out thetop. A potent combination of airflow it is and a must for today's ultra fastgaming rigs. to:content-type; @ testfreaks.com [May-29-09] (0 Comments) Today I've got the Thrustmaster T.1600M PC Joystick for review, I actual lygot the bundle of HAWX and the joystick, but I'm going to cover HAWX in i t'sown review. The joystick itself is nicely made, and truly does add a newdimension to any kind of flying game, making it easier and a lot more funthat the standard mouse/keyboard combination. Vigor Gaming Monsoon III LT CPU Cooling System @ pcper.com [Apr-24-09] (0 Comments) Vigor's Monsoon III LT definitely delivered during testing and Ithink it could have even handled a mild overclock on our Intel i7-920 CPU. Iwas also a bit surprised at how well it kept up with our Zalman CNPS9900 LEDheatsink. The dual 120mm fans and dual fin arrays seemed to be a winningcombination that should give other third-party heatsinks on the market a runfor their money. Thermalright AXP-140 HTPC CPU Cooler @ legitreviews.com [Apr-15-09] (0 Comments) The Thermalright AXP-140 HTPC CPU cooler opens up a couple of different ways to keep your system cool. Combined with a dual core 45nm CPU you should have no problem running this heat sink without a fan, or with one below 20 decibels. As an HTPC enthusiast that leans more towards the multimedia aspect as opposed to gaming, the difference in sound is HUGE! Instead of hearing the CPU fan spinning its little heart out when it comes to a quiet scene in a movie, you have a silent computer that keeps you focused on being entertained. That is really the whole point here, giving you peace of mind that your hardware is running cool, as well as giving you peace and quiet... Sapphire Radeon HD 4890 RV790 Video Card @ benchmarkreviews.com [Apr-02-09] (0 Comments) The Radeon HD 4800-series has been a real success for AMD, and combined with Phenom II Processors they create a synergistic effect called Corsair 6GB DDR3-1866 Dominator GT Memory @ legitreviews.com [Apr-01-09] (0 Comments) For the average consumer the Corsair DDR3-1866 Dominator GTs would be overkill; for the price of this one kit you could purchase 12GB of decent DDR3-1600C7. But those 12GB of DDR3-1600C7 may only overclock to the stock speeds of this Dominator GT kit. This is what you are more or less paying for - the binning process Corsair has undertaken to insure these kits are stable at 1866MHz... ASUS WL-500g Premium V2 Multi-Function Wireless Router @ tweaktown.com [Mar-31-09] (0 Comments) Wireless networking has been a standard in homes and home offices for years now. As more people move from the desktop to the laptop we will see an even bigger increase in the need for fast wireless to handle our data. The evolving of the netbook has also ignited this frenzy. But with more and more people working, un-tethered files and printer sharing becomes an increasing problem. Enter the ASUS WL-500g Premium V2; this b and g specification wireless router has speeds of up to 54Mbps while combining the features of a NAS and wireless print server. Added on top of these features is a profile based QoS system (Quality of Service) that lets you easily prioritize the traffic on your network for the best performance. Additional FTP and Samba support round out the package. Thermaltake Element S Case @ rbmods.com [Mar-31-09] (0 Comments) When I choose a computer case, I am often drawn towards a couple ofthings:good looks and cool features that will make building and using thecomputer enjoyable. Thermaltake, makers of a wide variety of computer products, sent us asample of one of their new cases, the Thermaltake Element S Computer case,which from the package seems to combine stylish looks with a sophisticateddesign. Does this case have all the elements needed to be considered a casefor pros? Let's find out in this case review. Lancool Metal Boned K6 @ techpowerup.com [Mar-30-09] (0 Comments) The Lancool Metal Boned K6 packs a lot of the exclusive new features found in the modern Lian Li cases in a sleek and clean designed case. The Lancool Metal Boned K6 is intended for LAN party gamers, wanting great construction quality and sturdiness in combination with the looks and engineering backbone one has come to expect from Lian Li. Antec TruePower New Series 750W Power Supply @ pcper.com [Mar-23-09] (0 Comments) Antec has combined quality features from their high-end SignatureSeries with the affordable pricing of the TruePower line with theintroduction of the TruePower New series. The TruePower New 750W PSUdelivered excellent efficiency with good voltage regulation and cleanoutputs. The TP-750 is quiet during normal operation and includes a goodcompliment of both fixed and modular cables/connectors. And let's notforget Antec backs the TruePower New series with their 5-year warranty. ASUS VW266H 25.5-in Monitor - Going large on a budget @ pcper.com [Mar-13-09] (0 Comments) The ASUS VW266H and VK266H offer an outstanding combination offeatures, screen size and price to really put a stamp on the LCD monitormarket. If you are a gamer on a budget or just a PC user looking for adisplay that can also be used for your console gaming or DVR set top box,then definitely give this ASUS monitor a shot! Techseed v2 Launch @ I'd like to welcome everyone to the new version of tech seed. [Mar-02-09] (0 Comments) I’dlike to welcome everyone to the new version of tech seed. It’sbeen in the making for well over 2 months now, and has been the biggestoverhaul of any XSR Group site to date. However, all is now well andit’s my pleasure to introduce you to a plethora of new features.For Publishers: Easier RSS integrationwith example feed Automatic imagegrabbing from RSS Simpler Admin Panelsetup Category sorting onhomepage Multi-lingual reviewsubmissionHowever, one of the biggest feature introductions was adding asecondary account system for you readers out there. We felt that it wastime you made your voices heard on what reviews you like, and don’tlike. So the commenter account system was born. Anyone can sign up forthese accounts just by hitting the “Sign up” button at the top of thesite and selecting the commenter account.Readers/Commenters will also be pleased to hear we have improvedsearching facilities, as well as easier to navigate categories andarchive systems, making it easier to locate the reviews you want toread. With more than 30 publishers now signed up, we hope to make techseed the number one place to come to find the reviews you’re interestedin. Auzentech X-Fi Forte 7.1 - XSs @ xsreviews.co.uk [Feb-19-09] (0 Comments) Thecombination of Creative chip and Auzentech PCB magic was been asuccess before with the likes of the X-Fi Prelude 7.1. That card fitteda normal PCI slot but today we have its successor which slots into thePCI-e instead. I give you the Auzentech X-Fi Forte 7.1; can this cardcarry on the success of its predecessor and even go further in terms ofsound quality and performance? Time to find out. M-ROCK's Extreme Zion Laptop & Camera Bag @ legitreviews.com [Feb-19-09] (0 Comments) M-ROCK is primarily a maker of a line of camera bags. The line extends from very small bags for things like phones and music devices to their new combination laptop and full DSLR kit backpacks, with many intermediate sized bags between. There are several styles and many sizes of bags to fit the needs of almost any photographer. All of the M-ROCK bags (beyond the very smallest sacks) are made of durable padded nylon materials with soft non-scratch interiors, have combinations of hook and loop, zippers, and buckle closures and feature multiple carrying options such as hand-held, belt attached, and shoulder straps... Long-term performance analysis of Intel Mainstream SSDs @ pcper.com [Feb-13-09] (0 Comments) Dozens of different scenarios were played out on our drives. XP /Vista installs, repeated application / game installs, batch copying offiles, and custom IOMeter access patterns were all liberally applied to theX25-M. Various combinations of the above all seemed to point to one commondenominator - all three of our SSDs suffered a drop in performanceregardless of the type of workload applied to them. The next sections willexplore the issues at hand while simultaneously addressing any steps thatcan be done to counter the effects at play. NZXT Zero 2 Case @ rbmods.com [Feb-05-09] (0 Comments) When I choose a computer case, I typically am drawn towards a coupleof things:good looks and cool features that will make building and usingthe computer enjoyable. NZXT, makers of a wide variety of computerproducts, sent us a sample of one of their new cases, the NZXT Zero 2mid-tower computer case, which claims to combine stylish looks with extremecooling capabilities Can their case live up to these lofty claims? Let'sfind out in this case review. Technic3D/NZXT Whisper @ technic3d.com [Jan-23-09] (0 Comments) The NZXT Whisper is the next PC Case in the Technic3D Editorsh ip. The chassis that is designed for the enthusiast that combines nois e dampening features with expandability and storage. Featured in a lar ge size E-ATX Full Tower, the Whisper can support up to Nine hard driv es and a total of six 5.25 AXP 2.5/3.5 SATA HDD to eSATA/USB 2.0 Combo Dock Station @ rbmods.com [Jan-21-09] (0 Comments) With todays need of more drive space and easy access to USB ports andmemory readers forces us to have alot of extra devices on the table. AXP hasfound a solution to this by combining 2,5/3,5, USB and a card reader intothe same device. This devices can easily take care of all your media with aquick plugin function and E-SATA interface. Lets have a closer look to seehow this device will perform and how it actually looks like. Running 12GB of DDR3 Triple Channel Memory on Intel Core i7 Platforms @ legitreviews.com [Jan-18-09] (0 Comments) Armed with two Corsair DOMINATOR 6GB 1866MHz CL9 memory kits with the AIRFLOW fan I set out to see how easy it would be to run 12GB of memory on an Intel Core i7 desktop system. These TR3X6G1866C9DF memory kits retail for $449 each and are fastest Core i7 triple channel memory kit that Corsair has to offer. Since these kits go through the tightest screening and binning at Corsair I figured that a pair of these kits should provide not only the best chance at getting 12GB of memory running, but also the best performance should overclocking be in order... CoolIT Domino A.L.C. @ pro-clockers.com [Jan-06-09] (0 Comments) But CoolIT has been in the market of taking the above optionssimplifying them and making it easier to get to the next level without muchmodding, tweaking or research. price on the most part have been decent tohigh on a lot of their products. But their newest cooler is priced at thelevel of higher end coolers but promises to be much better when it comes toperformance. The Domino A.L.C. is an all-in-one water-cooling setup thatcontains a rad, fan, tubing and CPU block. For about $70 you get all thisand Coolit's word of a superior cooler. We took the time to connect thecooler to our new i7 bench for a test spin. Is this cooler all that CoolItsays it is? We will find out. [Affiliates News] Spire Torq Laptop Backpack @ aphnetworks.com [Jan-02-09] (0 Comments) After months of torture in Engineering class, I often find ithard to believe that I am finally done with this term. For the last few days,I 'slept in' until 7:00AM, and tried hard to lose the weird food addictions Ihad during final exams. I spent a lot of time with friends, watched numerousepisodes of The Simpsons, and I even started playing the occasionalCounter-Strike:Source (If you don't know me, I have to tell you that I amnot a gamer -- that's only because I am too leet for it ;) Just kidding haha)-- when the fun stuff is all over, I figured it was about time to get back toreality. That was when I realized that I had been excusing myself so much,that I delayed my review schedule quite a few times already. Here's the dealthough:I gained quite a bit of time for thorough testing in real life. Whenthe Spire Torq arrived at APH Networks, I was so glad that finally there'ssome physical relief from the stress and strains (No pun intended. Or isit!?) of higher education. The Spire Torq is a large laptop backpack that'sdesigned for practicality, combined with lots of room, infinite amounts ofpockets, and comfortable enough for extended periods of usage. I've beendropping my clipboard, occasional textbook, drawing notebook, a couple ofcalculators, pens and pencils, and of course, my Lenovo ThinkPad T400notebook computer around for almost a month already. This classroom to thatlecture hall, one building to another, library to train station, trainstation to car, you get the idea. Here's my impression of Spire's Torq laptopbackpack, and how it works out for me. NZXT Whisper Full-Tower Computer Case @ benchmarkreviews.com [Dec-24-08] (0 Comments) Finally, a chassis that is designed for the enthusiast that combines noise dampening features with expandability and storage. Introducing NVIDIA GeForce GTX 295 P - Performance King Returns @ pcper.com [Dec-18-08] (0 Comments) The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 295 has definitely taken back the topperformance spot from AMD and the HD 4870 X2 card - a new king has beencrowned. We still have some questions to answer before giving ourunequivocal thumbs up on it including noise and power consumption, but atfirst glance both of those look like they are in check and within reasonablelimits. By combining two 55nm GT200 GPUs into a single graphics card designNVIDIA was able to reassert leadership in the market - a move the companywas in desperate need of. AeroCool AeroRacer Pro PC Case @ techwarelabs.com [Dec-17-08] (0 Comments) Buying an awesome tricked out computer case is the nerdy equivalent to buying a suped up hot rod of a car. The case is the outward manifestation of awesomeness inside. AeroCool does its best to combine car and computer with its AeroRacer Pro case. Unfortunately AeroRacer won't get you as much attention with the ladies as a real car, but it terms of nerd street cred, it works rather nicely. Also unlike a car, this case won't break the bank with its cost. So does the AeroCool AeroRacer Pro have what it takes to leave others behind in the dust? Lets take a look and find out. Tagan Diablo Advance PC Case @ techwarelabs.com [Dec-15-08] (0 Comments) Tagan is perhaps best known for their line of power supplies, which combine high-performance specs with a flashy, LED-laden presentation that certainly catches the eye. Expanding on this theme, Tagan has come out with a number of cases that combine various levels of flash with generally solid design. Today, we will be taking a look at Tagan's most recent addition to their enthusiast case line, the El Diablo Advance. After we put this case through its paces, you can decide for yourself if the devil you know is better than the devil you don't. Cooler Master V8 CPU Cooler @ pcper.com [Dec-09-08] (0 Comments) The Cooler Master CPU cooler did a very good job of keeping thefully loaded CPU cool, especially when you take into consideration how quietthe cooler is. Because of the limited space in the middle of the cooler(designed for a 25mm thick fan), we couldn't test the V8 with some of thelarger, high-speed air turbines we used on some other coolers. MSI's Eclipse SLI X58 motherboard @ bit-tech.net [Dec-08-08] (0 Comments) */This board is killing me because I want to like so much as the MSI team has clearly put in incredible effort and risk into designing the Eclipse SLI. Since just the P45 generation six months ago, so much has changed for the better which we need to give MSI credit for - the GreenPower core is excellent, the D-LED 2 is a good evolution, the board looks fantastic, it's stable with 12GB of memory and it's finally got a compelling market niche. The problem is that it's only 95 percent of the way there and it still needs attention to tidy up the loose ends - the BIOS and the software needs work, the cooling isn't wonderful, the D-LED 2 can evolve further, the X-Fi is either love or hate and the GreenPower Genie can go in the bin. Sitecom's WL-308 Wireless 300N XR Gigabit Gaming Router @ bit-tech.net [Dec-01-08] (0 Comments) */It's all a bit frustrating really, as when we started testing we really thought Sitecom was onto a winner here by combining all the high end networking features we crave with a unique advantage of an inbuilt traffic management system. Unfortunately, while the StreamEngine technology does indeed work in managing the downsteam bandwidth and is clearly a fantastic new technology with a lot of potential (and one we'll be keeping close eyes on), it doesn't do enough to ensure playable pings in online games when a connection's upload traffic gets busy, which is a real shortcoming considering it is the router's unique selling point.. [News] Antec Skeleton Open Air Case @ virtual-hideout.net [Dec-01-08] (0 Comments) The Antec Skeleton is an original, innovative concept finally put towork. It's a fresh break from square edges, windows, and standard features.Besides being unconventional, it combines excellent features of both aaccessibility and efficient use of space. The quality and design behind theSkeleton are top notch Antec. If you're a real enthusiast, you just have toask yourself one question. Are you afraid of change? QNAP TS-409U Turbo NAS @ techwarelabs.com [Nov-24-08] (0 Comments) Businesses are always in need of more storage, and those with experience know that its the data that is important and therefore redundancy is critical. We take a look today at the QNAP TS-409U Turbo NAS which combines several features to bring you a device that is not only easy to use and fast, but also provides redundancy. The TS-409U has a laundry list of features and aims to please everyone from the advanced home user to the most needy of businesses. Is the TS-409U just what the doctor ordered? Read our review to find out. Cooler Master V8 CPU Cooler @ legitreviews.com [Nov-19-08] (0 Comments) The V8 from Cooler Master is a very unique looking cooler that performs quite well. In the cooler world today it is getting harder to tell one tower cooler from another. This is not the case with the V8. With its crazy heatpipe bends and the fan shroud it makes the cooler stand out. Combined with the fact it really can perform, to me this makes the V8 a very attractive cooler... Evercool Booster Cool Wrist Pad @ rbmods.com [Nov-18-08] (0 Comments) Every now and then various manufacturers publish strange products.Sometimes those products come with great success. Generally those productsare fun for a week or two, and then they lie around your cabinet after thepurchase. This time we have an opportunity to review Evercool's Boosterwrist cooler. [Affiliates News] VidaBox Premium Wireless HTPC Media Center Keyboard @ aphnetworks.com [Nov-16-08] (0 Comments) It has been over half a year since we last reviewed akeyboard, the last time being the APH Recommended Logitech MX5500 Revolutionby Jonathan. During the past six months, things in the technology world havechanged quite a bit -- for example, the introduction of the dual core IntelAtom 330, increasingly common usage of Mini ITX boards, and in general,low(er) cost computing products. Such products have lead to the creation ofNettop computers; a range of computers that are not only value oriented, butalso features a low running cost. Products built around Atom processors arealso propagating the market quickly -- from the Asus Eee Box to the ShuttleX27. Such computers are great for home theater PC setups if you're not aftersomething like 1080p Blu-ray decoding. Speaking of HTPCs, it's interestinghow computers are becoming more and more popular in the living room. Combinedwith such features built right into various editions of common operatingsystems, affordable computing hardware (Even if it's not a Nettop unit,excellent performing parts are readily available at very reasonable prices),and a large collection of peripherals to go with it in the market today,making it your weekend DIY project shouldn't be much of a luxury or challengeanymore. Okay, let's get to the point. Today, we'll be reviewing the VidaBoxPremium Wireless HTPC Media Center Keyboard. To be honest, I have never heardof VidaBox prior to this review. A quick visit to their website indicatesthat they have a ton of interesting home theater product, this keyboard isonly one of many. Let's see how this keyboard that's made primarily for hometheater computers works out. And not to mention that it has the uber hardcoregood ol' trackball. [Affiliates News] VidaBox Premium Wireless HTPC Media Center Keyboard @ aphnetworks.com [Nov-16-08] (0 Comments) It has been over half a year since we last reviewed akeyboard, the last time being the APH Recommended Logitech MX5500 Revolutionby Jonathan. During the past six months, things in the technology world havechanged quite a bit -- for example, the introduction of the dual core IntelAtom 330, increasingly common usage of Mini ITX boards, and in general,low(er) cost computing products. Such products have lead to the creation ofNettop computers; a range of computers that are not only value oriented, butalso features a low running cost. Products built around Atom processors arealso propagating the market quickly -- from the Asus Eee Box to the ShuttleX27. Such computers are great for home theater PC setups if you're not aftersomething like 1080p Blu-ray decoding. Speaking of HTPCs, it's interestinghow computers are becoming more and more popular in the living room. Combinedwith such features built right into various editions of common operatingsystems, affordable computing hardware (Even if it's not a Nettop unit,excellent performing parts are readily available at very reasonable prices),and a large collection of peripherals to go with it in the market today,making it your weekend DIY project shouldn't be much of a luxury or challengeanymore. Okay, let's get to the point. Today, we'll be reviewing the VidaBoxPremium Wireless HTPC Media Center Keyboard. To be honest, I have never heardof VidaBox prior to this review. A quick visit to their website indicatesthat they have a ton of interesting home theater product, this keyboard isonly one of many. Let's see how this keyboard that's made primarily for hometheater computers works out. And not to mention that it has the uber hardcoregood ol' trackball. Cooler Master HAF 932 @ techpowerup.com [Nov-12-08] (0 Comments) The Cooler Master HAF 932 is a great looking case with its industrial and rugged design. It sports two 230 mm fans to cool those parts to the max. Removable hard drive trays and plenty of space for large components, all packed up inside this steel case makes for a perfect combination. Sapphire HD4850 512MB Video Card @ xtremecomputing.co.uk [Nov-12-08] (0 Comments) ATI have done very well with the 4850 and Sapphire has done just as well with the implementation of the card and bundle. Sapphire’s 4850 can be found for around £110 online which while not the cheapest 4850 is one of the lower priced 4850’s out there. When combined with the decent bundle of parts and software it makes this good value for money in terms of the 4850’s out there. Cooler Master's ACTS 840 chassis @ bit-tech.net [Oct-31-08] (0 Comments) */While its performance isn't world beating, the ATCS 840 is still undoubtedly one of the best cases we've seen for a long time - it has thoroughly impressed us during our time with it. Combining gorgeous looks, fantastic build quality and unmatched attention to detail throughout the entire design, Cooler Master has produced a case of the highest quality that thoroughly deserves your hard earned cash. It might be expensive, but it's most definitely worth it!/* Vidabox Premium Wireless Keyboard @ techpowerup.com [Oct-30-08] (0 Comments) With HTPC's gaining more and more in popularity, various input devices and peripherals for them are becoming a more integral part of the market. With many options to choose from for keyboards, mice and the combination of both, it's hard to come to a conclusion on what suits the HTPC best. Vidabox may have an answer with their Vidabox Premium Wireless Keybaord w/ laser trackball as an all in one solution. Aquacomputer AquagrATIx HD4870X2 vga watercooler @ hardwareoc.at [Oct-29-08] (0 Comments) Aquacomputer is a German water cooler manufacturer. The Aquagratix is a combinedGPU/RAM/VRM-cooler for graphics cards of the type ATi HD 4870 X2 according toreference design. This cooler combines the features of a graphics chip coolerand RAM-coolers in an elegant and very flat water cooler. Thereby the slot nextto the PCI-Express-slot remains useable. Additionally the voltage regulatorsare also cooled effectively. The possible temperatures are also impressive. XSR Link Correction @ xsreviews.co.uk [Oct-16-08] (0 Comments) Computercooling is becoming a much more widespread topic with extraemphasis on silence in comparison to the past where this aspect ofcooling was more or less disregarded in an attempt to produce maximumperformance. The challenge that faces most manufacturers nowadays isthe perfect combination between the two. Today at XSReviews, we have awhole series of Arctic Fans up for review. However, the question iswill this latest series of fans be able to meet both the demands ofperformance and silence? Das Keyboard Professional ed @ thetechlounge.com [Oct-16-08] (0 Comments) Any keyboard will type, but the Das Keyboard Professional (and Ultimate) take the decades-proven IBM standard and make it perfect. Each key is crafted, every keystroke is perfect. The sound coming off it is musical. Gaming being just as important as typing, this machine turns would-be broken little fingers into nimble sprinting, crouching, or whatever you bind to left shift. Arctic Cooling Fans - XSs @ xsreviews.co.uk [Oct-15-08] (0 Comments) Computercooling is becoming a much more widespread topic with extraemphasis on silence in comparison to the past where this aspect ofcooling was more or less disregarded in an attempt to produce maximumperformance. The challenge that faces most manufacturers nowadays isthe perfect combination between the two. Today at XSReviews, we have awhole series of Arctic Fans up for review. However, the question iswill this latest series of fans be able to meet both the demands ofperformance and silence? Genius Luxemate 525 - XSs @ xsreviews.co.uk [Oct-09-08] (0 Comments) Whilstin a game, aside from the ability to accurately shoot youropponent in the face, the ability to move is fairly high on your listof things to do. Most people will have a keyboard to do this with theusual WASD configuration of walking about. However many companies arenow bringing out little innovations to make this easier:Circularkeyboards with all the buttons you need for gaming on, highlighting thecommonly used buttons on your keyboard with back lighting or arecombining the two and adding a little gaming keyboard to the side ofour normal one. The last of these options is what Genius have done withthere latest professional keyboard, the Luxemate 525 Star Cruiser. Butwith a compromise between a normal keyboard and a gaming one can it beany good? SilverStone OP1000-E 1,000W Power Supply @ pcper.com [Oct-09-08] (0 Comments) The OP1000-E PSU incorporates a single, powerful +12V output thatcan deliver up to 80A (960W) of combined load. Using a single +12V rail isa trend we are seeing in many newer power supplies. Traditionally,manufacturers have created multiple +12V outputs by implementing currentlimiting circuits into their design to conform to the old 240 VA maximumguidelines - no single output should exceed 240 VA (12V x 20A = 240 VA).Having multiple current limited +12V outputs can lead to power distributionproblems, particularly with some power-hungry video cards. Delivering asingle, powerful +12V output is a better approach IMHO. Dell XPS M1730 Notebook - Intel Core 2 Duo X9000 Powered @ pcper.com [Sep-14-08] (0 Comments) Armed with the fastest mobile hardware money can buy; it is nosurprise to find that the Dell XPS M1730 offers blistering performance innearly any game or application. Here, the combination of Intel’s latestPenryn processor, NVIDIA SLI graphics, RAID-0 drive configuration, andother flagship components have provided us with the highest mobile scoreswe have ever seen in our benchmarks. Simply put, the Dell XPS M1730 is thefastest notebook we have ever had in our labs. [News] Penny Arcade Expo (PAX) 2008 @ virtual-hideout.net [Sep-06-08] (0 Comments) This past weekend, my work schedule changed and freed up some time.On a spur of the moment change, we pillaged the Penny Arcade Expo also knownas PAX 2008 in Seattle, WA at the Convention Center. I must say that theevent seemed to be well organized. With the exception of the CC staff, thePAX crew were on the ball. This was my first time this year and it was actually pretty darninteresting. VH has been known to play a few FPS, RTS, RPG, MMORPG, and0MFGSW33T type games. (Diceman loves games that involve pure destruction andsurrounding mayhem.) We all may not get to play as much as we use to, butthe gaming industry still proves to be the vital force that motivates thelikes of Nvidia, ATI, and Intel to bring us faster Graphics cards whichfurther perpetuates the creation of better video games.If you weren't rubbing elbows with the game makers or testing out a soon tobe released game title, one could walk across to the Free Play area and hopon any one of the 150 Intel sponsored PCs to play a few rounds againstothers in a LAN. In total, there were about 330 players present. Zalman GS1000 Full Tower @ pro-clockers.com [Sep-04-08] (0 Comments) Zalman is back at it again with a new gaming case called the GS1000.The difference between the GS1000 and the GT1000 are as obvious as day andnight. The GS1000 is a made of a combination of aluminum, steel and a littleplastic. Before we determine what category it falls in we will tell you alittle bit more about the case. The case is full size and boasts incrediblecable management possibilities and impeccable cooling options. Trust methere are several other features that are unique to the GS1000 but you willhave to read on to find out what they are. Tom Clancy's End War Interview @ bit-tech.net [Aug-26-08] (0 Comments) *While we were at i34 absorbing the unprecedented levels of geekery and hardware lust, we also had time to take in some of the many upcoming game presentations on offer, one of which was /Tom Clancy's End War/. Code of Honor 2:Conspiracy Island @ bit-tech.net [Aug-14-08] (0 Comments) The real problem with Code of Honor 2 isn’t the bad graphics,though those are the first thing anyone will notice. Poor graphics wecan cope with. Not every game has to have huge polygon counts and ProcedurallyGenerated Dynamic Mega-texture-awesomeness – but good games do have tohave something. They have to have a hook that can draw people in and makethem want to play more. Code of Honor 2 doesn’t have that.Utterly boring and bland and far too easy in the singleplayer game, aquarter-baked and shallow experience on the multiplayer side, Code of Honor doesn’t really do anything right and is doomed to soonreside in the bargain bin. There are two type of games to find in bargain bins though. There areold or unappreciated games that are still very much worth playing andthen there’s stuff that just couldn’t survive in a capitalist marketdue to a stunning lack of worth. If you’ve read the review this far andstill can't figure out which one we think Code of Honor 2 is then this is probably the game for you. Sapphire AMD Radeon HD 4870 X2 2GB - AMD's Triumph @ pcper.com [Aug-13-08] (0 Comments) There is little room to debate that the new AMD Radeon HD 4870 X22GB is the best performing graphics card on the market. By combining thepower of a pair of RV770 GPUs along with 2GB of GDDR5 memory, the R700design is able to run away from NVIDIA's GeForce GTX 280 1GB card handily.Our various game tests proved this - Crysis, Call of Duty 4 and GRID showedbig gains for AMD's new card at resolutions 2048x1536 and 2560x1600 thoughthey were minimal at 1600x1200. Braid @ bit-tech.net [Aug-12-08] (0 Comments) Braid does have a few problems despite our love for it. Theoblique logic and lateral thinking that you need to learn how to applytoo rapidly scales up from Easy to Murderous, for instance, and thegame doesn’t always do a great job of introducing the new ideas. Worse, the game doesn’t even have a proper help page and there’sliterally no introduction to the rewinding mechanic until you die forthe first time – something you naturally spend your first go throughthe game trying to avoid. The combined ingenuity of the gameplay and the gentle, nostalgicbrilliance of the art and writing do manage to overcome this though andit’s a testament to the pacing of the game that you manage to learn allthese elements without any decent manual or instruction. Cerebral and startlingly playable, Braid is a throwback to the forgotten world of commercialplatformers and proper adventure gameswhere the puzzles were hard, but rewarding. At times it can be toodifficult for its own good, but the bulk of the game isn’t weighed downby this and Braid instead manages to float upwards, toexcellence. Technic3D/SteelSeries Gaming-Keyboard 7G @ technic3d.com [Aug-03-08] (0 Comments) The SteelSeries 7G Gamer Keyboard arrived Technic3D. A Gamer K eyboard with advanced key combinations, PS/2 buffer-system, switch lif etime of 50 million operations, audio ports for headphone-out and micr ophone-in and two port USB hub. One of the best Gamer Keyboards in the moment? See this in the following Review. Thermaltake M9D Computer Case @ rbmods.com [Jul-27-08] (0 Comments) When I choose a computer case, I am often drawn towards a couple ofthings:good looks and cool features that will make building and using thecomputer enjoyable. Thermaltake, makers of a wide variety of computerproducts, sent us a sample of one of their new cases, the Thermaltake M9Dmid-tower computer case, which from the package seems to combine stylishlooks with a sophisticated design. Can their case live up to these loftygoals? Let's find out in this case review. Thermaltake M9D Computer Case @ rbmods.com [Jul-27-08] (0 Comments) When I choose a computer case, I am often drawn towards a couple ofthings:good looks and cool features that will make building and using thecomputer enjoyable. Thermaltake, makers of a wide variety of computerproducts, sent us a sample of one of their new cases, the Thermaltake M9Dmid-tower computer case, which from the package seems to combine stylishlooks with a sophisticated design. Can their case live up to these loftygoals? Let's find out in this case review. Lian Li Tyr PC-X2000 @ bit-tech.net [Jul-23-08] (0 Comments) The Lian Li Tyr PC-X2000 is certainly an impressive piece ofhardware,combining a gorgeous and unique design, an innovative layout, simplysuperlative noise levels and impressive cooling performance. However,there are a few minor blemishes on the face of this otherwise fantasticcase, and sadly most of them are directed towards the case’s frontfascia panel.The problems causing the front aluminium panel to bow in the middlereally should have been caught before the case went into fullproduction, and it’s certainly disappointing to see such a premium casesuffering from case panels not fitting together properly. The fact thatthe fascia is so easily removed is also a concern, as is the placementof the fan controller, inexplicably placed behind both the front fasciaandthe dust filter. While we appreciate that the fans might be a [News] GIGABYTE GA-X48-DQ6 Motherboard @ virtual-hideout.net [Jul-20-08] (0 Comments) Gigabyte has truly stepped up to become a serious contender for thetop manufacturer of quality motherboards. Gigabyte has aggressively pursuedways to produce the best choice in quality and enthusiast motherboards.They've brought us features like Dynamic Energy Saver, complete solid statecomputing, and some of the most consistent extreme overclocking to date.These kinds of features have culminated in to two recent Best Choice Awardsat Computex 2008 for the GA-EP45-DQ6 and GA-EP45-DS5 Motherboards. All ofthat and more have been combined once again to bring us the GigabyteGA-X48-DQ6 Motherboard. There's plenty of features and bonuses to be had. Eagle Consus D-Series @ gideontech.com [Jul-08-08] (0 Comments) On the review block for today is the Consus D-Series dual SATA hard drive external storage system from Eagle Tech. The D-Series has the ablity to use JBOD (Just a Bunch Of Disks) spanning to combine your odd sized disk drives into one larger drive, or you can run it plain old RAID 0. Sapphire HD3870 Ultimate Video Card @ pro-clockers.com [Jul-04-08] (0 Comments) Based off of the RV670 chipset is the Sapphire Ultimate 3870 videocard. This card many not be overclocked like the Toxic we reviewed a fewweeks back. This means it won't perform at the same level of the Toxic did,but the major thing the Ultimate has over the Toxic is silence. Combinedwith 512MB of GDDR4 and Shader 4.1, silence isn't the only feature the cardhas that it can boast about. Just how well does it match up against theToxic mode? Read on to find out. NEC's MultiSync LCD3090WQXi 30-inch widescreen monitor @ bit-tech.net [Jun-26-08] (0 Comments) The NEC MultiSync LCD3090WQXi is an amazing screen that notonly fitsthe bill for professionals, but will also appeal to those of us thatwant stunning image quality, a whole host of features and acres ofdesktop real estate. Of course, the price will undoubtedly put a lot ofpeople off this screen, but I tell you, if I had £1,500 burning a holein my pocket I know where I'd be spending it. Yes, it's expensive, butthen so is a Ferrari F430 Scuderia – it's all about getting what youpay for.And what you get for your money here is one of the best LCDs I've everhad on my desk. Going back to my Samsung SyncMaster 215TW—even thoughit's incredible—will be very hard indeed. There's nothing that willreplace the sheer size of this display combined with the simplystunning image quality. I'm going to be a very sad man indeed. OCZ EliteXStream 800W Power Supply report @ aphnetworks.com [Jun-20-08] (0 Comments) Well guys, here we go again -- another close-look-at-power-supply-hardware report. Last week, we took apart the Seasonic M12II 500W power supply. As usual, because we don't have the necessary professional equipment to do the simulated load testing, measuring the quality of power delivery (Voltage, ripple, etc) in accordance to load, and that we don't want to use some fake hardware test reports, we are up for another power supply hardware examination report. This time, we are going to crack open the relatively recently released OCZ EliteXStream 800W power supply (A 1000W model is also available for those who really need it). This power supply has gained excellent reputation in regards to performance and efficiency from other excellent online publications that tested it with professional load testing equipment. When OCZ asked me a couple months back to see if I wanted to take a look at the EliteXStream, I was nothing but excited to see what OCZ has in store lately. The OCZ EliteXStream series power supplies combine a 120mm fan with an open rear exhaust design like the Seasonic M12II for a somewhat good reputation of 'quietness' in this regard, and high power output ratings. So today, let's see how extremely elite is the OCZ 1337-Extreme 800W -- I mean, OCZ EliteXStream 800W. Motorola Bluetooth Headset H680 @ bluetomorrow.com [Jun-19-08] (0 Comments) The Motorola Bluetooth Headset H680 combines contemporary style and modern technology to provide users with attractive communication device that performs as good as it looks. The H680 features a sleek, elegant design, premium finish and easy to use functionality. Straight out of the box, this unit looks great and offers a lightweight design that is comfortable to wear, even after extended use. GeForce GTX 280 with QX9650 @ tweaktown.com [Jun-16-08] (0 Comments) Feeling a little underwhelmed with the initial GTX 280 results, I took the time to make my way over to the IBuyPower Australia bunker to let the card have a bit more breathing room. While our 3GHz test bed is quite modest and a good indication of performance for the everyman or woman, there is of course people out there who are a bit more hardcore and do have a few more dollars to splash about. Since the card has just been released, we thought it was the perfect time to really see what the card was capable of in a very nicely overclocked QX9650 rig carrying with it a 10 x 400MHz FSB combination. At this speed we had a Swiftech water cooling setup attached which caused the CPU to stay below 47c on all four cores. We had found our rig, and now it was time to see what kind of performance increase we get when we move to something that carries with it faster RAM, a faster HDD and of course a faster CPU. The Incredible Hulk (Xbox 360) @ bit-tech.net [Jun-16-08] (0 Comments) We expected The Incredible Hulk to be bad from theoffset, notout of some inherent bias but more to do with a realistic reflection ofthe past and the facts of the matter. On this front, TheIncredible Hulk didn’t disappoint us. It’s predictable, samey, bland and as by-the-numbers as any game ofthis type could be. The developers have got a checklist of all theusualerrors made on movie tie-ins and they’ve zipped down and ticked themall expertly. As a game it’s more shallow than a Paris Hilton-wannabeand uglier than the real-deal. But, at the same time, it is kind of fun to mess around with. And no,the Paris Hilton jokes stopped last paragraph thankyouverymuch.Elements of The Hulk’s character are captured very well and it’s quitebizarre to see that Sega has done a better job of capturing the wallclimbing experience than Activision did with Spiderman 3.Also, just because a game is shallow doesn’t mean that it’s bad – everyid Software game ever proves that, just about. Despite all the chinksin the armour and the fuzziness on the lens there is still a sense ofprogression that makes the game involving to play and aspects of theanimation do feel suitably kinetic and powerful. In the end, though Hulk can’t claim to be as good as themajority of the games out on shelves nowadays, he can certainly wipethe floor with Iron Man and the othercomic-movie-adaptation-tie-ins at the moment. QNAP TS-409 Pro Turbostation @ techpowerup.com [Jun-14-08] (0 Comments) QNAP already added nearly every thinkable feature to their NAS firmwares. To make a new series innovation had to be found elsewhere. QNAP decided to double the capacity in their TS-409 Pro and add features to utilize this space. The four disks that the TS-409 Pro houses can therefore be put in any RAID level including 6. Besides adding RAID 5 and 6 support QNAP shows they take their RAID arrays seriously by adding support for online expansion and RAID migration. Combined with the already proven ease of use and list of software features the TS-409 Pro Turbostation promises to be a solid product. Diamond Viper HD 3650 PE 512MB ed @ thetechlounge.com [Jun-06-08] (0 Comments) ATI's HD 3650 replaces the HD 2600 Pro, a frustrating underachiever. Generally, I dislike video cards in the $50-100 range, mainly because they're not going to play new games well and, if you're after features, then you're better off buying a lesser model from the same series. The features here are the real selling points--two of which stand out ahead of price, connectivity (HDMI), and low power- consumption. First is video playback. ATI swings when it comes to playing movies, and even their entry-level cards are going to do well, if not flawlessly. Second is Hybrid CrossFire. All 3000-series cards can be run in CrossFire with motherboards that have the 780G (and upcoming 790GX) chipsets, in either a performance mode (like regular CrossFire) or power-saving mode, which completely powers down the video card when integrated video is good enough. Combined, these features might give cause to move up a price bracket, favoring a 36 over a 34. Razer Mako 2.1 Speaker System ed @ thetechlounge.com [Jun-05-08] (0 Comments) Razer's entrance into the gaming sound arena was impressive and simple, following the path they'd cut for input devices. Their audio lineup includes a superb sound card, a headset, and a 2.1 speaker system. Their sleek style stands out first, and, priced as they are-- $400--quality is expected. Re-thinking the very shape of a speaker seems appropriate. Not only for Razer, but also for THX, their partner in this matte-finish affair. The center of the re-design is simple: point the drivers down, bounce the sound out in every direction. And now every spot is the sweet spot. But their combined forces multiply marketing, add to the technical BS, and I say there are faults to find. Thermaltake Bigwater 760i Liquid Cooling System @ thinkcomputers.org [Jun-05-08] (0 Comments) Thermaltake has made water cooling easy with the Bigwater 760i 2UDrive Bay Liquid Cooling System. This system is internal and fits nicelyinto two empty drive bays in your case. This system has everything that youneed to get started, even coolant and tubing. This is the first watercooling system that I have ever built and found it quite easy and fun toinstall. This system provides many nice features even the water cooling guruwould find attractive. Read on further to find out what they are. Centaur Technologies Tour - Making The Via Nano CPU @ legitreviews.com [Jun-03-08] (0 Comments) At this test station these two individuals were individually testing Nano processors at various speeds and temperatures to see if they pass stress testing. If you are curious what Centuar was testing you are in luck. Centaur was checking to see if the VIA Nano CPU's were stable at 1.8GHz at three different temperatures (85C, 5C and then 25C)with 1.1V on production platforms. The processors that pass testing at this stage move along to become VIA Nano L2100 processors, which are the 1.8GHz processors. I was able to see VIA Nano processors get speed binned right in front my eyes... Sapphire Radeon HD 3870 X2 ed @ thetechlounge.com [Jun-03-08] (0 Comments) So why not just get two 3870s and rub a little CrossFire into your box? There are two reasons, really. For most people, that's just not an option. Dual-PCI-Express can easily tag a Benjamin onto the price of a motherboard, and, in Micro-ATX land, it's a mythical beast that visits overclockers in their dreams. And there's another thing: regular 3870s get the lower-binned GPUs--the faster-clocking chips go into the X2s. But, lastly, the 3870 promises something else:tri- and quad-CrossFireX. But that begs the initial question:now that the release is behind us, how much awesome stuck to the HD 3870 X2, and how much washed away? Akasa Mirage-62 chassis @ bit-tech.net [May-30-08] (0 Comments) Due to the similarities between this and the Eclipse-62, theMirage wasalways going to be compared to its sibling, the Eclipse. However, whenyou look at the case on its own, you realise just what a good piece ofkit it really is. Probably the best removable motherboard tray I'veever used, combined with rock solid build quality from the light anddurable aluminium frame make a great base for a system build, and whilethe look of the case could be seen as a little boring, there's plentyof room for customisation.Although the component temperatures were admittedly a littledisappointing, we feel the Mirage more than makes up for this slightstumble with simple brilliant noise levels, and its customisable,spacious and straightforward internal layout. However, I can't help butfeel that this update to the Eclipse could, and perhaps should havebeen so much more than a face lift, especially when you consider the£20 price difference between the two models. Just because something works well, doesn't mean there isn't room forimprovement, and despite a few nice additions, and the excellent noiseperformance, I came away wanting more. In the end, both are very wellbuilt and very high quality cases – it'll be down to personalpreference whether you pay the extra money for the Mirage and its door. Boom Blox (Wii) @ bit-tech.net [May-29-08] (0 Comments) With all that said though, there are a few weak points in BoomBloxwhich perhaps limit how much fun you can have with it. The first andmost damaging flaw is the length of the game because after only a fewhours of gaming we¡¦d already finished nearly the entire Explore modeand were making a decent dent in the Adventure side of things. The other thing to bear in mind is that, like all puzzle games, BoomBloxwill frustrate you as much as it¡¦ll keep you entertained. Playingthrough the Chemical Blox campaign in Explore mode was something we didwith ease until about the eighth level, at which point we got stumpedfor more than an hour. Lots of swear words were uttered before weeventually got a gold medal. Still, it¡¦s all very much a minor chink in the armour of BoomBloxand this is definitely one of the must-have family games in ouropinion. As a party game it may play second fiddle to the likes of Warioware,but if you¡¦re after something to play on a week night when you don¡¦tneed a bottle of tequila to have fun then this is definitely the gamefor you. The combination of fluid controls, screaming chickens and hugeexplosions is a sure winner. Dumbing Up Gaming @ bit-tech.net [May-29-08] (0 Comments) Recently someone tried to make a game out of proteinfolding. The idea was that if you could make an accessible fun game outof it, you could effectively get lots of people to process real datafor free, and contribute towards a worthwhile goal. Great idea, but dowe have to assume the game needs to be massively simple in order tocatch on? I'm sure a lot of biochemists play computer games, why mustwe assume they are incapable of learning a complex game?You can take a lot of great game ideas, and then dumb then down to thelowest common denominator and make them boring and dull, that's agiven. There are some great game ideas though that you just can't dumbdown before they fall apart. Right now that means the game doesn't evenget out of the starting gate.I've heard of games flopping because the marketing sucked, budgetproblems, piracy and poor design but I haven't heard about any biggames failing because they were too highbrow. Yet nobody is even tryingto make those games.In some ways it's all the fault of our old nemesis, the rocketing gamebudget. Rack up a four million dollar wage bill, and you need to sell aLOT of copies to break even. Selling just to biochemists won't cut itany more, you need to aim at the wider audience. But if you avoid thetechnology arms race and do a lower budget game, what kind of gamescould we make? Mass Effect (PC) @ bit-tech.net [May-27-08] (0 Comments) Mass Effect was already an awesome game, that much we knew. Itwas so good in fact that it managed to sneak its way in to our Top 10Games of 2007. The question is though, has it got any better since then?The answer to that isn’t easy, but mainly that’s because there aren’tthat many differences between the two versions. There are some positiveenhancements to consider like the new hotkey features and a smootherinterface, but on the other hand these are balanced out by an awfulminigame and the fact that all these changes feel insubstantial andtacked on – where are the new quests and weapons?The deciding factor then, due to a lack of extra content, should bewhether or not the game can win through on the merit of being on the PC– does the actual input of mouse and keyboard make the game better onPC? The answer is yes, but not enough for it to make a big difference.Mass Effect is an utterly absorbing, massive and enthralling game. Assoon as this review is done we’re going to go play it some more and ifyou’re a PC RPG fan who hasn’t got the Xbox 360 version then this isdefinitely a game you’ll want to pick up, but the PC version doesn’t doenough to push ahead of the Xbox 360 original and in the end the twowill have to settle for being equals. APACK ZEROtherm ZEN FZ 120 CPU Cooler @ tweaktown.com [May-24-08] (0 Comments) Today we will be looking at the APACK ZEROtherm ZEN FZ 120; the latest CPU heatsink and fan combination from the company. Once again, from the outside the cooler looks like many others’ designs that have taken over the enthusiast market for the last few years. Let’s have a look and see if the ZEN FZ 120 can surprise us like the Hurricane HC92 Cu8800 VGA cooler did in our MEGA 9-Way VGA Roundup back in April. The ZEROtherm ZEN FZ 120 features a copper base and heatpipe that extends to aluminum heat dissipation fins that stand just a tad over 6 inches tall. The specifications claim that the cooler is capable of cooling up to 150 watts, making the FZ 120 an enthusiast class cooler built for overclocking or cooling Intel and AMD’s flagship processors. Iron Man (Xbox 360) @ bit-tech.net [May-09-08] (0 Comments) There’s nothing wrong with bad graphics in a game. There havebeen plenty of games in the past that have proved you don’t needbillions of polygons to make a best-seller – look at Pac-man or Tetrisfor crying out loud. Likewise, glitches and bugs didn’t completelyspoil games like S.T.A.L.K.E.R. and might not have proved to be the endof Iron Man.Hell, you don’t even need to have a great new mechanic or fantastic newidea to make a great game. Beat ‘em ups have been spinning the sametricks ever since International Karate +.There is something wrong with a game that combines all of these with atotal lack of shame. This isn’t a game that is even remotely good, thisis a game that someone hoped would make a lot of money and it’s aperfect example of why movies and games just don’t mix for the mostpart – Iron Man:The Game is little more than a bucket of brokenpromises and rust. Noiseblocker Coolscraper 3.0 - XSs @ xsreviews.co.uk [May-07-08] (0 Comments) Noiseblockerhave created some pretty immense coolers in the past,notably among them is the Coolscraper series which combines highperformance cooling with ultra silence. Now they've sent me the muchanticipated Coolscraper 3. Lets see if it lives up to the high standardthat we have come to expect from Coolscraper over the past few years. Gigabyte GeForce 8800GT TurboForce 512MB @ aphnetworks.com [May-06-08] (0 Comments) While NVIDIA's 65nm G92 core is an optimized derivative of NVIDIA's original 90nm G80 core to a certain extent, cards based on the G92 like the 8800GT and 8800GTS 512MB is nothing but a success amongst performance enthusiasts -- and there's a good reason why. Our previous review of the Asus 8800GT TOP back in January showed that, in general, the 8800GT is not only a very capable card in terms of 3D performance and comes at a great price depending on the board manufacturer and retailer you are purchasing from, but are also very power efficient for what it offers. Last month, we got another variation of the 8800GT for our review -- this time, from Gigabyte. The Gigabyte GeForce 8800GT TurboForce 512MB is not just about great performance, however. Utilizing a shorter, unique signature Gigabyte-blue non-reference PCB, along with a Zalman copper cooler, combined with Gigabyte's custom overclocking and overvolting software to squeeze the heck out of this card, how does it step up against the rest? Let's check this card out and run it through our set of benchmarks. And of course -- overclocking. Assassin's Creed:Director's Cut @ bit-tech.net [May-05-08] (0 Comments) Viewed from one angle Assassin’s Creed:Director’s Cut ishonestly a little disappointing. The PC version doesn’t really addanything all that new, doesn’t make the most of the platform andcarries over many of the flaws of the original game. The Director’sCut doesn’t offer any new content except for the new investigations,and these aren’t really all that great. But the game is still quite good.The thing we really like about Assassin’s Creedis how good it is for creating player stories. The open sandbox stylemeans that players can make their own tales in a way that makes thegame great to talk about. There was the time I killed the Mad Doctor of Acre by climbing somescaffolding, assassinating an archer, and climbing down in to thecourtyard of the hospital. I leapt from a nearby chandelier and plungeda knife into his throat, escaping through alleyways with the aid ofsome vigilantes and scholars. It’s wonderful and deliciously emergent,going a long way to address complaints of repetitiveness.In a nutshell, the verdict lies in a balance of these two opposingviewpoints. Is Assassin’s Creed good? Undoubtedly – but the Director’s Cutisn’t a massive improvement over the original. You may well love thenew version more than the original, like we do, but the route of thatpreference won’t be because the game is markedly better on PC. It’ll bebecause your PC is markedly better than a console. Motorola MotoPure H12 Bluetooth Headset @ bluetomorrow.com [May-01-08] (0 Comments) The Motorola MotoPure H12 Bluetooth Headset is a sleek and lightweight headset that combines modern style with simple functionality. The MotoPure H12 boasts what Motorola calls its CrystalTalk 2-microphone technology, which is designed to cancel out excess outside noise. Its design addresses several comfort issues many people have with less expensive units and offers a look that doesn't scream for attention. Crisis Core:Interviewing Yoshinori Kitase @ bit-tech.net [Apr-28-08] (0 Comments) BT:We’re ten years on now and there’s been multipleFinalFantasy games since VII and yet between Dirge of Cerebus, AdventChildren and Crisis Core, you’ve always returned to Final Fantasy VII.What is it about VII that you think makes it so popular and special?YK:Well, Final Fantasy VII came out a time in a time oftransition when the PlayStation 1 allowed for a whole new realm ofgames with improved audio and graphics. Also, at the time I was a muchyounger man. Ten years younger in fact – though don’t count me out justyet! It was a time when I had all this enthusiasm and as a young creator Iwanted to try and challenge the idea of what an RPG could be. Combinewith that the hardware and these new realms of possibility forcreators. That combination seems to have worked because although it washard to say how successful we were at the time, ten years later thegame is still being talked about and I think we really did set a newstandard.We really have a soft spot in our hearts for Final Fantasy VIIbecause that was when we tried to change things. It was just the righttime for it. Motorola MotoPure H12 Bluetooth Headset @ bluetomorrow.com [Apr-28-08] (0 Comments) The Motorola MotoPure H12 Bluetooth Headset is a sleek and lightweight headset that combines modern style with simple functionality. The MotoPure H12 boasts what Motorola calls its CrystalTalk 2-microphone technology, which is designed to cancel out excess outside noise. Its design addresses several comfort issues many people have with less expensive units and offers a look that doesn't scream for attention. Larrabee team member speaks on rasterization @ pcper.com [Apr-25-08] (0 Comments) There's no doubt Larrabee is going to be the world's most awesomeraytracer. It's going to be the world's most awesome chip at a lot of heavycomputing tasks - that's the joy of total programmability combined withserious number-crunching power. But that is cool stuff for those that wantto play with wacky tech. We're not assuming everybody in the world will dothis, we're not forcing anyone to do so, and we certainly can't just do itbehind their backs and expect things to work - that would be absurd.Raytracing on Larrabee is a fascinating research project, it's an excitingnew way of thinking about rendering scenes, just like splatting or voxels orany number of neat ideas, but it is absolutely not the focus of Larrabee'sprimary rendering capabilities, and never has been - not even for a moment. OCZ ReaperX HPC PC3-10666 Enhanced Bandwidth 2x1GB DDR3 RAM @ aphnetworks.com [Apr-24-08] (0 Comments) How much would you pay for roughly 2% performance increase on your latest gaming rig? $100? $200? How about $600? Even the most hardcore computer enthusiasts for the past year have been struggling with this question -- and if you've been following the technology trend, yes, I am talking about DDR3 memory. According to our tests last year, DDR3 memory provided little advantage with original, first generation Core 2 CPUs in combination with Intel's first consumer chipset that supports DDR3, the P35. As DDR2 became mainstream last generation, it is inevitable to all extents that DDR3 will be in the position of DDR2. The question is only whether it'd be sooner or later. Currently, DDR3-1333 RAM is available in the market at press time that it retails for as low as $120. Combined with newer processors and chipsets that takes better advantage of faster memory (Meaning that, it's much more than 2% performance over DDR2 now), more users are becoming more willing to jump the boat. On the other hand, there's also the overclocking crowd that's more interested in DDR3 RAM because the price of most DDR3 sets is now within affordable margins. While the OCZ ReaperX is not $120 right now, what it offers is Micron's latest D9GTS ICs that has gained excellent reputation from enthusiast crowds for excellent overclocking. How does this set of RAM step up against the rest? Let's put it through our tests and we'll see how it goes. NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GX2 @ modders-inc.com [Apr-22-08] (0 Comments) The GeForce 9800 GX2 combines the two GeForce 9800 GPUs in asingle graphics solution, which offers 256 processor cores and a framebuffer of 1 GB (512 MB per GPU). It also allows a user to take advantage ofthe second-generation Quad SLI technology. ViewSonic VX1940w 19" widescreen monitor @ bit-tech.net [Apr-21-08] (0 Comments) Clearly the ViewSonic VX1940w is not a mass market monitor thatwillconvince the mainstream hordes to ditch their 22-inch panels. But itcould be extremely attractive for a few niche markets and for thoseable to divert their attention away from simple screen acreage.Obviously, it's a great solution when space is in short supply. Nodoubt LAN gamers will appreciate the combination of high detail, speedypixel response and compact, travel-friendly dimensions. It also makesfor a very nice low-profile secondary display with decent resolution,perhaps to compliment a large 30-inch primary panel.Of course, the VX1940w will be fighting a largely losing battle againstsimilarly-priced 20- and 22-inchers for the attention of buyers lookingto maximise screen size within their budget. And frankly, for mostusers we wouldn't give it a blanket recommendation over such models.But we are glad ViewSonic has decided to add it to the mix and offersomething a little different. War for Visual Computing:Why AMD Could Have the Best Chance @ pcper.com [Apr-17-08] (0 Comments) Of the three companies in this debate today, Intel, AMD and NVIDIA,only one is balanced in the vision that both NVIDIA and Intel supposedly seefor the industry. AMD has both a CPU and GPU that are competitive intoday's market; not leaders in any definitive way but right up there nonethe less. Thanks to the acquisition of ATI by AMD nearly two years ago thecombined organization seems poised to capitalize on the shifting dynamics inthe designs of both processing dynamics. And much of what Intel and NVIDIAare doing today is actually validating what AMD has done over the past 24months. Early Look:Gigabyte P45-DS5 motherboard @ bit-tech.net [Apr-14-08] (0 Comments) Gigabyte has done a lot to improve the P45's layoutover itsprevious P35 board – while we loved the DS3R, other products like theEP35-DS4 (pictured right, on the left of the two) had compatibilityproblems with the SATA ports. The P45-DS5 fixes this by making all the SATA ports at 90 degree anglesto the edge of the board so they don't conflict with longer graphicscards. In addition to this there are now tenSATA ports – four of which are from a Silicon Image chipset. While theRAID can't be combined with the new ICH10R southbridge, they all offerNCQ, ACHI and eSATA support.The Gigabyte branded JMicron chipset provides the IDE port which isstill missing from ICH10, like it was from ICH9, and even though theIDE port is awkwardly placed right down the bottom of the board itshouldn't matter too much since there's oodles of SATA for opticaldrives.The DS5 shown here is DDR2 only and supports Phil Hester of AMD Resigns from CTO Position @ pcper.com [Apr-12-08] (0 Comments) AMD is truly at a historic lowpoint, and it seems that it is due toa bad combination of technology, competition, and perhaps some internalcomplacency. Phil was brought in as CTO at AMD's pinnacle, and he haspresided over that position from that point to the low valley we now see thecompany. Is he a fall guy? Was it his decisions that led them on the roadto here? Or were there thoughts of cutting salaries of these uppermanagement individuals, and he simply felt that it was not in his bestinterest to stay and take the cut? Hard to say. bit-tech : @ bit-tech.net [Apr-09-08] (0 Comments) The Razer Lycosa is an excellent little gaming keyboard and is nicely put together despite a few tiny flaws. Really though, the only things that bother us are the grime-grabbing materials and the awkward backlighting that makes typing an occasional chore during the day. Xigmatek Red Scorpion, S1283 CPU Cooler @ rbmods.com [Apr-05-08] (0 Comments) Today we take a look at a cooler from the fairly new company namedXigmatek. This new cooler focuses on peformance and silence which actuallycan be quite hard to combine together so it is going to be very interestingto see what this S1283 cooler can do vs a well performing cooler fromCoolermaster. It seems to have the size and the quality but does it perform? US Modular Cold Fusion DDR2-800 2x1GB Memory Kit ed @ thetechlounge.com [Apr-01-08] (0 Comments) US Modular's enthusiast parts are all recent additions to their portfolio. In fact, the Cold Fusion RAM is their first big, branded push into the profitable arena, and it's kicking off with the DDR2 reviewed here. While they're mostly known for their portable hard drives and USB flash drives, US Modular has been making system memory in California long enough to know how to bin the good stuff and slap some swanky blue heatspreaders on it. Of course, in order to make a name for themselves, this memory will have to fly. Does Cold Fusion have what it takes to stir up the ranks? TWM Performance Complete Short Shifter Kit @ aphnetworks.com [Apr-01-08] (0 Comments) It's been quite a while since APH Networks, obviously the most well known highly dedicated car enthusiast website, took a look at what we've originated from -- car reviewing. Lately we've gotten a little off track and got into all those computer products for some odd reason. But in all seriousness, take a look out on the streets. Here in North America, cars are so common, it's not even funny. From 20 year old Buick sedans to the latest Acura CUVs, and then *gasp* there's a high school kid driving their ricer that's so low they can barely make it over a speed bump, wing so big and heavy that turned their car's weight distribution into 40/60, decals on the side of their car from dozens of companies that they don't even own parts from, and tinted windows that resemble those of an opaque black wall. Well here's one for you:Performance modifications are more practical than visual modifications. Driving a standard transmission (Or manual transmission, stick shift, or whatever you want to call it) myself, there's all to one point that makes it so unique and fun to drive:The combination of the third pedal and the gearstick. Sitting in a few real performance vehicles lately, I wasn't all in for their fuel economy, but their short throw manual really intrigued me. Moving back to my own car, here's a cheap, easy do-it-yourself modification that makes your shifting all that much fun -- the complete short shifter kit from TWM Performance. Adding onto that, we also had an aftermarket weighted shift knob to go along with it. Let's see how it improves your driving experience. No More Heroes @ bit-tech.net [Mar-23-08] (0 Comments) No More Heroes is a game that really does thrive on surprisingplayers and it’s great to see a completely accessible game like thisthat manages to shock players without ever relying on shock tactics. It’s also one of the funniest and most entertaining games that we’veplayed on the Wii – it goes a long way to addressing the huge gapbetween decent Wii releases. Super Mario Galaxy was a long timeago now, so if you’ve been itching for something worthy to flail yourWiimote at then No More Heroes will certainly fit the bill.No More Heroes isn’t a perfect game at all and it has some veryidentifiable problems which occasionally put players off. Given thatthe appeal of the game lies in blind-siding the player with off-beathumour and wit, it also may not be suitable to everyone. And onceyou’ve got to grips with it then you may find it a tad tiresome ifyou’ve not got the same sense of humour as the writers. No More Heroes is an excellent example of how an eccentriccharacter design and storyline can compensate for some technicalfailings though and the combination of bizarre characters and strikingpresentation really do make the mini-games and such a minor concern atbest. If you’ve been looking for a more adult game to play on your Wiithen No More Heroes should come highly recommended. Lost Empire:Immortals @ bit-tech.net [Mar-15-08] (0 Comments) Lost Empire:Immortals can't claim innovation and the game isutterly predictable in almost everything it does. Combine this withincredibly long games and huge playing fields and you’re left with agame which is going to leave a sour, tired taste in the mouths ofnearly all gamers. Hardcore strategy fans though may find somethingappealing though, provided they can look past the admittedly roughedges. Lancool Metal Boned K7 @ techpowerup.com [Mar-13-08] (0 Comments) The Lancool brand is created by Lian-Li and combines the flawless, understatement exterior with the sturdy bones of steel. This makes for the name Hard to be a God @ bit-tech.net [Mar-11-08] (0 Comments) Still, the combinations of poor graphics and an unwieldytargetingsystem that requires all targeting to be pixel-perfect andcamera-relative do seriously detract from the game. The fact that thevast majority of the dialogue is completely ancillary and the narrativeis poorly introduced doesn’t really help much either. The game’s also more than a little repetitive and having to wade intoone fight after another does make things feel a little samey and drearyafter the first hour or two – the game is most assuredly combat focusedfor the most part and there’s only so much sword-swinging anyone can dobefore they want to sit down and solve things peaceably. Basically, it comes down to this; if you’re a big fan of the Strugatskynovels or you just want something a little bit predictable to play thenHard to be a GodIf hacking and slashing isn’t your bag though then you’ll probably wantto look elsewhere for your whinging deities – it’s not that the game isespecially may just be the ticket for you. With presentation this awful it’s alsohighly likely that the game will be dropping in price fairly quicklytoo, so you may be able to snag it cheaply if you wait a little bit. bad,just that it’s like a meal of mediocrity – with a side-salad ofugliness and poor spelling. The basics of the game all work, but neverwow and if the Earth took God seven days to make then this probablytook him less than seven minutes. A Lost Cause @ cooltechzone.com [Mar-10-08] (0 Comments) OLPC is a lost cause. It's amazing how an otherwise interesting project with headline-grabbing mission could spiral out of control with disastrous results. The project has always had noble intentions. I can't fault them for that. Anytime an organization is giving back to the community and contributing back to society is a good organization in my book. However, the management is ludicrous. Not only did they not realize the magnitude of the ramifications for changing their mission, but they couldn't pinpoint their ultimate desire either. AMD 780G Chipset and Athlon X2 4850e P @ David Altavilla [Mar-04-08] (0 Comments) =93The 780G platform launching today combines the core logic expertise and Logitech MX5500 Bluetooth Keyboard/Mouse Set @ aphnetworks.com [Mar-04-08] (0 Comments) We have been following pretty much every new cordless laser set releases from Logitech since 2005. As Logitech releases a new set every year, we are generally very impressed with pretty much all of them -- what makes it truly interesting is that, despite the fact that they are 'just' keyboards and mice, Logitech still manages to innovate in every successive release that makes their products convincing enough for a lot of people to upgrade from their existing set, yet retaining the originality and usability factor of the keyboard and mouse itself. What we are trying to say is making changes and improvements are one thing, but some companies ruin their products in the progress of modification. Logitech is certainly not within this category. As a new year arrives, so does Logitech with their latest Logitech MX5500 Revolution cordless laser set. Combined with the legendary Logitech MX Revolution cordless laser mouse, as well as a brand new Bluetooth keyboard, how does this keyboard and mouse set stack up against their previous releases? Let's check it out. Conflict:Denied Ops @ bit-tech.net [Mar-04-08] (0 Comments) There are some glimmers of hope to be had with Conflict:DeniedOps.If you can get past the graphics, cardboard cut-out story, wonkyphysics (a shotgun blast pokes a tiny hole in plywood, butrifle-butting a door will splinter it out of the frame?!) anddisjointed, confused gameplay then there is an semi-enjoyably mindlessshooter here. Maybe. Crippling Conflict:Denied Ops though is that the competition is composed offar better, cheaper games. It comes down to this. When I was at university I¡¦d occasionally dipinto my student loan on a slow week and go trawling the bargain bins atmy local GameStation with a fiver in hand. I knew that the games I wasbuying would most likely turn out to be awful, but I¡¦d buy them anywaybecause they¡¦d fulfil my need for a cheap, forgettable game to whileaway the time between thinking about starting my dissertation andforgetting to start my dissertation. Conflict:Denied Ops is about on par with those old bargain bingames from three years ago. It ranks next to games like Stolen,Project I.G.I and Aikens Artifact. There are people out there who¡¦ll disagree with me and who¡¦ll claim adeep love for Denied Ops ¡V but these are the type of people who claim that theoriginal Evil Dead is the best film ever made and they shouldbe discounted completely. Don¡¦t listen to them; listen to me and waituntil Denied Ops drops into the bargain bins if you must playit at all. Noctua NH-U12P CPU Cooler @ aphnetworks.com [Feb-22-08] (0 Comments) The market for CPU heatsink and fans has grown quite saturated -- but with this saturation also comes a diversity that allows for a different heatsink to suit every preference. From performance heatsinks, noise conscious designs, to value/budget products, there's at least a dozen from various brands to fill in the specific market niche -- or maybe even a combination of two or more. Noctua has made quite a prominent name for itself in the industry for making quiet PC cooling solutions. Being that, a quiet cooler does not mean it cannot be a performance cooler at the same time. Combined with a design that challenges the best air cooler, it proves one thing -- bigger does not mean better. It's all about cooling efficiency; and combined with arguably the best fan for this application -- the Noctua NF-P12 -- how will the Noctua NH-U12P perform installed in our real life testing scenario? I've always wondered how it stacks up against the Scythe Infinity -- one of the biggest, and one of the best performing coolers over a year and a half ago -- but with a little twist. We want to see how the heatsink itself performs. And we'll even compare the two with the same fan. Now that would be an interesting showdown. Sigma Shark 635W Power Supply @ thinkcomputers.org [Feb-21-08] (0 Comments) Sigma's new Shark line of power supply units combines a functional,stable supplier of required electricity with a stylish, finned, dual-fancooling design, resulting in a silent but powerful device. It's also one ofthe most stable devices we've seen in a while. Combine that with a sub$100-price and it looks like we've got quite a nice unit on our hands. Readon for the review. AMD Quad-CrossFire - CrossFireX Performance P @ pcper.com [Feb-21-08] (0 Comments) Our initial preview of AMD's CrossFireX technology is very positive.Even though the performance benefits of four GPUs is questionable based onthe performance numbers we saw today, the flexibility that allows users toconfigure three GPUs in CrossFireX mode is much more appealing. In titleslike Call of Duty 4, the benefits of four GPUs can really be seen but inother cases, three seems to do the job just as well. Either way though, AMDhas opened up a whole new world of gaming options for enthusiasts byallowing such a diverse combination of hardware. NVIDIA GeForce 8200 P - Palit N78S @ tweaktown.com [Feb-20-08] (0 Comments) Since AMD acquired ATI to do its chipset bidding, we haven't se en much from NVIDIA for the Athlon 64 and Phenom platforms. The first new generation chipset designed by NVIDIA to support the Phenom and Athlon 6 4 processors has arrived; codenamed the MCP78, it has officially been giv en the name =93GeForce 8200=94.NVIDIA's main focus here with the GeForce 8200 is Hybrid SLI. This is a new design that has been thought up to combine the power of a discrete g raphics card with the extra unused power of the onboard GPU. HIS Radeon HD 3850 IceQ3 TurboX 512 MB @ techpowerup.com [Feb-20-08] (0 Comments) The HIS Radeon HD 3850 IceQ3 comes with a high end dual slot cooler, 512 MB of fast GDDR3 memory and increased clocks at a price tag of $199. This winning combination gets very close in performance to the much more expensive HD 3870 and can even surpass it when overclocked. NZXT Rogue mATX Gaming Case @ techpowerup.com [Feb-15-08] (0 Comments) The NZXT Rogue is a very unique case. It combines the portability of a cube with the possiblity to install large graphic cards and high performance power supplies. A carrying strap is also included, to make carrying the black or silver cube - featuring either blue or red LEDs - to and from a LAN party as easy as possible. Scythe Ninja and Ninja Mini CPU Coolers @ techwarelabs.com [Feb-12-08] (0 Comments) Recently we tested the Scythe Ninja and Ninja Mini heatsinks for performance, design, and installation. We present to you our results may surprise you. Scythe has taken an unusual approach to heatsink design and combined outside the cube thinking with traditional design to come up wi th a heatsink that performs well but has issues. Read our review to find out more. HeadRoom Total BitHead Portable Amp&DAC @ techpowerup.com [Feb-09-08] (0 Comments) The HeadRoom Total BitHead portable amplifier and DAC is a great combination of both a USB audio codec and a headphone amplifier that will drive most high end cans on the market today. The HeadRoom Total BitHead sells for only $149.99 which can be considered a steal for such a product. Auzentech X-Fi Prelude Sound Card @ aphnetworks.com [Feb-08-08] (0 Comments) Sound cards. From the world of Creative dominating nearly the entire sound card market, to today's relatively adequate integrated audio, all the way to competition to who can make the best discrete audiophile sound card, the choice consumer has for computer audio is better than ever before. I've always been a big fan of Creative hardware for excellent performance and flexibility to push the potential of low end to high end computer audio. However, there always seem to be some limitations in place -- whether it's software issues, or other onboard hardware used in conjunction with the audio processor -- it really limited their popularity to a few certain users only. Lately, two high end sound cards gained a lot of press. One is the Asus Xonar D2 which we've already reviewed back in October 2007. It's excellent with the DACs and OPAmps used, but I personally felt a bit of limitations with its scalability and processing power. The second is the Auzentech X-Fi Prelude. Now this is one interesting product. Being the first third-party manufacturer to license Creative's excellent X-Fi audio processor, the X-Fi Prelude is a combination of a favorite audio processor amongst many, with pretty much all the benefits of a high end board such as the Xonar D2 as aforementioned. Is this really the ultimate consumer sound card money can buy? Let's take a close look and see how it goes. Auzentech X-Fi Prelude Sound Card @ aphnetworks.com [Feb-08-08] (0 Comments) Sound cards. From the world of Creative dominating nearly the entire sound card market, to today's relatively adequate integrated audio, all the way to competition to who can make the best discrete audiophile sound card, the choice consumer has for computer audio is better than ever before. I've always been a big fan of Creative hardware for excellent performance and flexibility to push the potential of low end to high end computer audio. However, there always seem to be some limitations in place -- whether it's software issues, or other onboard hardware used in conjunction with the audio processor -- it really limited their popularity to a few certain users only. Lately, two high end sound cards gained a lot of press. One is the Asus Xonar D2 which we've already reviewed back in October 2007. It's excellent with the DACs and OPAmps used, but I personally felt a bit of limitations with its scalability and processing power. The second is the Auzentech X-Fi Prelude. Now this is one interesting product. Being the first third-party manufacturer to license Creative's excellent X-Fi audio processor, the X-Fi Prelude is a combination of a favorite audio processor amongst many, with pretty much all the benefits of a high end board such as the Xonar D2 as aforementioned. Is this really the ultimate consumer sound card money can buy? Let's take a close look and see how it goes. Tomb Raider:Underworld p @ bit-tech.net [Feb-01-08] (0 Comments) One of the biggest changes to the game however has been at amuch morefundamental level – the structure of the levels themselves. In the past, Tomb Raider has been like most games of thegenre – run, gun, puzzle, solution, run, gun. Wash, rinse, and thenrepeat. Levels are structured to be extremely linear and Lara mustovercome puzzles in a specific order. Underworld changes that, harnessing what the developers arecalling a new multi-level approach to the puzzles. The new structure is simple; there are fewer levels—only about eightapparently when we saw the game in action—but those levels are much,much larger and complex. It isn’t like Legend where Lara isalways moving forwards, it’s much more like the St. Francis’ Follylevel in Anniversary.The solutions to puzzles are often more than just a room away andaren’t just limited to grabbing the right coloured key. Puzzles requirethought, understanding and a close attention to the story. AutumnWave OnAir HDTV-GT USB ATSC/NTSC Tuner/Receiver @ thinkcomputers.org [Jan-30-08] (0 Comments) AutumnWave Solution's OnAir HDTV-GT USB tuner can receive ATSC,NTSC, an unencrypted QAM (commonly known as digital cable) signals and, whencombined with the included software, can turn a Windows-based computer intoa TV and DVR. It's powered via USB and includes a neat remote and antenna totake advantage of digital and analog over-the-air broadcasts. Read on forthe review. Logisys UltraSlim Keyboard @ techpowerup.com [Jan-29-08] (0 Comments) The Logisys Ultra Slim Soft Touch Multimedia Keyboard has much more to offer than just your average keyboard. It has a two-tone matte/glossy black finish to compliment the very slim and compact design. The keystroke is soft and very quiet, while the palm rest ensures maximum comfort. Combine this with a range of internet and multimedia hot keys, and you have a recipe for a great product with a great price. HIS Radeon HD 3870 X2 1 GB @ techpowerup.com [Jan-28-08] (0 Comments) The HIS Radeon 3870 X2 combines the power of two ATI RV670 GPUs into one to reach for the performance throne in single card processing power. Even tough the implementation has some minor limitations the overall product is certainly interesting and can maybe bring AMD back in the game. AMD's 4th Quarter Analyzed @ pcper.com [Jan-19-08] (0 Comments) AMD’s primary focus this quarter in the desktop market is toenable production and distribution of the triple core processors as wellas the 65 watt quad core products. The triple core products shouldaddress a market that is currently empty, and AMD is quite excited topotentially have a unique product to offer consumers. The firstgeneration of these triple core parts will be the standard rev. B2 Phenomwith one core disabled. This gives AMD a bit of flexibility when dealingwith either defective cores, or processors with one core that does not hitthe required speed bin needed. Asus EN8800GT (NVIDIA GeFoce 8800GT) TOP 512MB @ aphnetworks.com [Jan-18-08] (0 Comments) NVIDIA's release of their G92 based graphics card has so far been nothing but a total success amongst enthusiasts. The die shrink not only permitted cards to run cooler and thus use less electricity, but also improvements have been made for higher efficiency reflected by its incredible performance. The first card rolled out is the NVIDIA GeForce 8800GT -- the card that outperformed the previous generation G80 based 8800GTS. Next came the G92 based 8800GTS that outperformed once a flagship graphics card from the company. A lot of times, I find myself looking for an excellent cooler in the market before digging for a video card; not for overclocking but for the silence. When I heard that Arctic Cooling's Accelero S1 that I have sitting on my Radeon X1950 Pro is actually compatible with the 8800GT, it did not take me long enough to realize that I had a truly winning combination for performance enthusiasts and quiet PC enthusiasts alike. Today, we'll take a look at the Asus version of the 8800GT -- the Asus EN8800GT TOP 512MB -- which is not just any 8800GT as it's pre-overclocked, under warranty, straight from the factory. Although factory overclocked cards aren't uncommon nowadays, this one is one of the fastest and most readily available 8800GT on the market today, comes with Company of Heroes:Opposing Fronts game, a plethora of cables, and a really, really big retail box. Let's see how the Asus EN8800GT TOP 512MB (Or what we will refer to as the Asus 8800GT TOP) runs through our tests today. Thermalright HR-05/IFX - XSs @ xsreviews.co.uk [Jan-16-08] (0 Comments) Recentlywe managed to get our reviewing mitts on the Thermalright HR-05 chipsetcooler, that managed to combine a low price with better-than-stockcooling, but had an awkward fan size (70mm) and fiddly mounting system.Today I have another HR-05, but this time it’s the IFX version, similarto the IFX-14 heatsink that we also reviewed recently. The IFX range isthe extreme cooling bracket, where size and weight are far fromlimited. Hopefully this cooler will build on the headway made by thestandard HR-05. Getting the most out of your Eee PC @ bit-tech.net [Jan-15-08] (0 Comments) I've been using the device fairly heavily for a few of weeksnow andoverall I've been really impressed with it. It's light, small andsturdy and has a great feature set for its price. It seems perfect fortrain journeys, with its quick boot up time and almost precisely theright size for sitting on chair-back tables seen on planes and trains.Not even my old X-series ThinkPad could manage that.One man's meat is another man's poison, and certainly many people willbe put off by the 800 x 480 display resolution and lack of Bluetooth.Word on the street is that the new Eee PC will sport a higherresolution screen, and as much as I'm now used to the smaller screen –most websites are designed for 1024x768 screens, so this will be awelcome addition. The keyboard is a little tricky to get used to, andeven now I constantly find myself pressing “up” instead of “shift”, and“2” instead of “1”. But for around £220, it still offers amazing valuein my eyes.The operating system is based on Xandros Desktop 4, which is in turnbased on Debian Etch. Asus has changed a few things in the install, soit's not 100 percent compatible with Xandros, but it's very close. Ifyou're a bit of a Linux fan, you might feel like just wiping the driveand installing EeeXubuntu, or Eeedora. However, I like to think of theEee PC as a single function device, rather than a fully-fledged PC.It's got an OS that is designed specifically for that hardware, and itworks well. Changing to a different OS is a recipe for lots offiddling, slower performance and a much greater chance of things goingwrong.As new updates come out, they are rolled out using “Add/RemoveSoftware”. As Asus knows the OS is identical on all their machines, itmakes rolling out such updates a lot easier – this has already pushedout an update for Skype 2.0 during my time using the Eee PC.The OS built into the Eee PC feels a lot like using a Psion device –simple and speedy. You can get a virtual tour of the OS here.With FireFox, Thunderbird and OpenOffice installed as standard, I feelright at home as this combination of software is what I would be usingon any Windows or Linux platform. The OS isn't perfect though, so in this article I'll be showing you afew of the things I've changed to make the Eee PC feel more like a MePC. Climbing The Difficulty Curve @ bit-tech.net [Jan-15-08] (0 Comments) There has been a growing trend over the last few years to makegamesthat are easy enough for every player to finish them. In many ways thisis a positive development which reflects the maturity of the industryand the mainstream nature of the audience who regularly play games. Italso reflects publisher desires to create mass market, accessibleproducts which can generate maximum profit for them. However today I’m posing the question “Have singleplayer games becometoo easy?”Early games were far more challenging than they are now and initiallythis was largely due to the lack of a save option. You had to play thething all the way through in one sitting, when you ran out of lives youhad to start again from the start. Now don’t get me wrong I don’t missreplaying the first three levels of a scrolling shooter twenty timesjust to progress past that tricky missile but the sense of achievementand immersion is reduced when you complete a game in half hour chunksover a month. Upon completing modern games I rarely feel the same rushof pride that I did from reaching the end of Double Dragon or IkariWarriors. Vizo Milano 3.5" Media Hard Drive Enclosure @ aphnetworks.com [Jan-11-08] (0 Comments) In the digital home, there are many ways to play media that's physically located on your computer on your home stereo system. From the classic method of using a high end sound card such as the Asus Xonar D2 (Or an Asus Xonar U1 if USB is your only choice), to using a Slim Devices Squeezebox to stream media using a network, the possibilities are endless. One to add to this combination is the Vizo Milano. This unique hard drive enclosure allows you to simply pop in a hard disk drive, and the enclosure does the rest. It supports digital out to your receiver for audio, and hooks up to your TV using major analog formats to play video and display pictures. It even comes with a remote control! Will this media enclosure change the way we play digital files on home theater setups? Let's have a detailed look at the Vizo Milano media player and hard drive enclosure today. Western Digital MyBook External Hard Drive @ nvnews.net [Dec-27-07] (0 Comments) Western Digital's My Book External Hard Drive is a great implementation of existing hardware. Combined with a USB 2.0 connection, the drive achieves an average read of 36MB/sec. under HD Tach. The unit is easy to install, quiet, and doubles as an attractive furniture piece. Zalman VF1000 LED & RHS88 Coolers for the GeForce 8800 @ pcper.com [Dec-25-07] (0 Comments) The Zalman VF1000 LED VGA cooler and RHS88 heatsink combination isan excellent cooling solution for NVIDIA 8800 series graphic cards. Itsignificantly lowers the key component temperatures, even when running theintegrated 80mm fan at a relatively low speed for quiet operation. TheVF1000 LED/RHS88 is a compact, single slot cooling solution and iscompatible with SLI configurations. Both coolers come with everythingneeded for installation and the bundled Fan Mate 2 speed controller offersgreat flexibility for finding just the right balance between performance andnoise. Sigma Luna WB Case @ techpowerup.com [Dec-23-07] (0 Comments) The Sigma Luna has a clean look with a brushed aluminum finish. It is light-weight, yet I still found it surprisingly sturdy. The large side panel window, sleek door design, silver accents, and chrome trim highly compliment the black satin finish. Top this off with an all aluminum chassis and tool-free installation, and you get a combination that is a pleasure to work with and look at. Thermaltake DuOrb Graphics Card Cooler @ aphnetworks.com [Dec-19-07] (0 Comments) Searching high and low for a new cooler for an NVIDIA 8800GTS, most people realize quickly that there aren't a lot out there even over a year of its release. What I am specifically looking for is something that's readily available, priced reasonably, performs decently, looks great, preferably doesn't occupy the next two slots below it, and above all, quiet. Thermaltake designed a product that on paper fits into all the categories I am looking for -- the Thermaltake DuOrb. Utilizing a pure copper design with heatpipes to distribute the heat around and two fans to blow the heat away, the Thermaltake DuOrb does not occupy any more space than the stock 8800GTS cooler. How well does the Thermaltake DuOrb fit our bill as a graphics card cooler in real life? Let's have a look at this unique heatsink/fan combination today. Zalman ZM1000-HP 1000W Power Supply @ techpowerup.com [Dec-19-07] (0 Comments) Zalman's new ZM1000-HP power supply has been designed with fan noise in mind. The heatpipe experts from Zalman have stuck two of these inside their PSU and added a slow running 140 mm fan on top of that. This winning combination results in one of the quietest PSUs we ever tested, especially considering it delivers up to 1000W of power via six independant 12V rails. AMD Hybrid CrossFire Technology P @ pcper.com [Dec-14-07] (0 Comments) For hybrid CrossFire to work reliably there are definitely goingto be only certain combinations of GPUs and IGPs that will work together. Since the RS780 chipset will come in a few flavors with different amountsof GPU performance and the RV610-620 will be offered in variousconfigurations as well. Hybrid CrossFire performance is limited to LOWESTperforming card times two, if we could get 100% efficient scaling. Sobuying a discrete card that is more than 1.8x faster than your integratedgraphics card would be overkill and a waste of money. Asus Xonar U1 USB Audio Station @ aphnetworks.com [Dec-14-07] (0 Comments) As far as laptops go, lately it's gotten as close as it would get to desktop performance in all but one area:Sound. For a while now, I've been looking around for a decent USB audio solution for my mobile computer -- and most of them are either impractical, provides virtually no improvement over my Dell Inspiron's integrated audio, or the features offered are simply not enough to make a difference. Last year, my friend lent me his Creative X-Mod USB sound device for my enjoyment -- while it has great looks and builds upon the X-Fi brand, the performance was more or less disappointing for me. After Asus' successful release of the Asus Xonar D2 sound card, Asus made quite a smart move and decided to expand on this brand to the USB sound device market. How will this sweet looking Asus Xonar U1, combined with a complete set of home theater audio technologies and features such as optical digital out, perform altogether? Is it the sound solution for notebook PC owners? We'll put it through our tests today to see how it goes. GIGABYTE GP-S7500 2.1 Speaker System @ tweaktown.com [Dec-10-07] (0 Comments) In the past when thinking of PC audio, GIGABYTE weren't the first name to come to mind. Traditionally specialising in motherboards and gra phics cards, it's going to be interesting to see what they have come up with in terms of high-end PC audio with their latest 2.1 Speaker System I'll be checking out today. When you consider the materials and associated costs it all looks very pr omising. Kevlar cones are a first in PC audio, these usually something on ly seen in home audio with MDF cabinets all round. GIGABYTE has even adde d some dome tweeters to boot. This was laughable in the past for PC audio , and for so many years I awaited someone to do exactly what GIGABYTE has done here. Super Talent Project X DDR3-1800 2x1GB RAM @ aphnetworks.com [Dec-07-07] (0 Comments) When Super Talent announced their Project X series of DDR3 RAM a few months back, it sounded pretty astonishing -- but at this presentation I expected it to arrive at an astonishing price relative to other sets of DDR3 RAM in the market right now. Surprisingly, Super Talent's Project X paired with Micron's excellent D9GTR ICs with sharp aluminum heatsinks is also a sharp combination with a relatively aggressive price -- at least for memory in this market segment. I've seen other DDR2-1600 RAM costing more than the Project X DDR3-1800 -- something that we don't see every day. Super Talent has been highly regarded amongst enthusiast in the past, and combined with overclocking preferred Micron D9GTR ICs, as well as a relatively lower price compared to other DDR3 RAM, I'm sure that it will live up to its reputation. But will this be a winning combination if you are in the market for performance DDR3 RAM? We'll find out today. Silenx Ixtrema 120mm Case Fans @ rbmods.com [Dec-05-07] (0 Comments) Your typical computer case fan is a cheaply built fan that oftendoesn't last long and can be the loudest source of noise in your computer.However, certain manufacturers do offer high-end case fans that offer highair flow and nearly silent operations, creating the desired combination ofquiet performance. AcousticPC.com, a large retailer of quiet PC computercooling hardware, sent us one such case fan that they highly recommend: theSilenx Quiet Case Fans. Will these fans bring an end to loud fanoperations? That is what we're here to find out in this review.. Corsair 2GB Padlock flash drive @ tcmagazine.com [Dec-04-07] (0 Comments) For this first try with the keypad/hardware locking system combin ation Corsair has made a lot of compromises which resulted in the drive b eing bigger, slower and more fragile than its older =E2=80=98brothers=E2=80 =99. In the end, all these seem to be the necessary evil that enabled the Padlock to be so easy to use and unique. Still, there=E2=80=99s not much doubt that those looking for intuitive and hassle-free data protection c an simply go for either the 1 or 2GB versions (now found at sub-$40 level s) of the Padlock while those wanting something more tough and fast will have to choose other drives, like the Voyagers. [News] Ultra m998 Mid-Tower ATX Case @ virtual-hideout.net [Dec-03-07] (0 Comments) The Power Strip is a pretty cool feature that can come in quitehandy. It really serves as a power HUB spreading out power to moreperipherals efficiently. The users that will purchase this case will mostlikely want to install some form of light such as LEDs, Cold Cathode Tubing,or Neons. All of those extras will need power and that Power Strip will workgreat for quick connections. You won't have to go digging through your powersupply wires to find power. This feature will hopefully show up in futurerevisions. Apacer Handy Steno AH421 4GB Flash Drive @ tweaktown.com [Nov-30-07] (0 Comments) With the world of storage continually getting bigger and bigger, it's not uncommon to find flash drives growing in capacity and speed. M edia files now make up quite a huge portion of the need for increasing sp ace. When flash drives first started to hit the shelves, 128MB was the la rgest you could get, and would cost you a fortune too.Apacer's new USB 2.0 flash drive not only combines 4GB of flash storage , but manages to incorporate a compression and security program in one. A ccording to Apacer this allows you to store more than 5x the actual 4GB l imit as well as being able to encrypt it all. Lowepro Slim Factor S Laptop Bag @ thinkcomputers.org [Nov-25-07] (0 Comments) We have taken a look at a few Lowepro bags in the past. They havebeen combination bags being able to carry a D-SLR camera and a laptop. Weall know Lowepro makes some of the best bags for cameras, but what about forlaptops. The combination bags we checked out really worked well, but canLowepro make a standout laptop bag? The Slim Factor is one of Lowepro'snewest laptop bags, let's see if it can set itself apart from other laptopbags. OCZ PC3-12800 DDR3 1600MHz RAM Kit OCZ3P16002GK @ benchmarkreviews.com [Nov-20-07] (0 Comments) Benchmark Reviews continues on with our High-Speed DDR3 Overclocking and Review Series, which features over one dozen different DDR3 kits. Many of the kits we have tested so far have helped achieve extremely uncommon overclock speeds, and even some of the kits not setting speed records managed to impress us with their combination of performance and value. So far we have reviewed the Patriot PC3-15000, Super Talent PC3-14400, and Mushkin PC3-10666 kits, but today we are especially pleased to test the OCZ PC3-12800 DDR3 1600MHz 2GB RAM Kit OCZ3P16002GK. content-type:content-transfer-encoding:content-disposition:x-google-sender-auth; @ dragonsteelmods.com [Nov-12-07] (0 Comments) So, Gears of War is here for the PC.. finally, is it worth it? Yeah Ithink it is... The good news is that you most likely won't have to goout and upgrade your PC to play it, it played fine on my system withan EVGA 8600GTS in there. The bad news of course is that everyone withan Xbox already played it and it's old news now to them so there's notmuch more fun to be had if you already own it and an Xbox, does theextra content warrant owning two versions of it? I think most peoplewon't be running out to get the PC version if they already have theXbox version, or they'll wait till it hits the bargain bin... NVIDIA Announces Enthusiast System Architecture @ legitreviews.com [Nov-05-07] (0 Comments) It will be interesting to see where ESA will go, but we hope it t akes off as having all this monitoring data in one place will be nice. h e days of not know what is going on in the system are gone! Thanks NVIDI A for stepping up to the plate and making ESA a reality and most of all a n open standard... bit-tech :Timeshift @ bit-tech.net [Nov-05-07] (0 Comments) TimeShift isn’t a great game, an opinion I’ve probably alreadyover-communicated, but it does have some redeeming features. The wholething is pretty easy to pick up and gamers who want some mindlessaction will no doubt get a kick out of it. The environments are welldetailed too, with some nice weather effects doing a good job of hidingsome of the uglier graphics and more poorly designed levels. One thing I did like about the game though was the unlockables section,which lets players unlock extra little videos and snippets whichexplain bits of the story. Sure, it further evidences the fact that thestory is poorly structured and told, but if you really get into it thenit’s a nice way to build in detail slowly. In the end though the game doesn’t do enough to make itself stand outfrom the crowd of truly awesome games this year. TimeShift hascome at a time when it has to compete with the likes of Halo 3,The Orange Boxand a host of other titles headed to the Xbox 360. By that measure thegame ends up falling a little flat and, while it may be good to pick upfrom the bargain bin for a rainy Saturday (as long as you try not totake it too seriously), that may be just about all it’s good for andthe game isn’t really worth the time of most players. Asus P5E3-Deluxe/WiFi-AP @ aphnetworks.com [Nov-03-07] (0 Comments) As Intel's flagship X38 chipset rolls into the hands of motherboard makers, there are times when ordinary material is used to make extraordinary products. Of such is Asus' new, pretty much flagship (considering its price haha), motherboard -- the Asus P5E3-Deluxe with its full name of Asus P5E3-Deluxe/WiFi-AP@n describing its wireless-N capabilities. There's a 'plain' Asus P5E3-Deluxe without the WiFi, but our focus would be the one with onboard wireless networking as we refer to the Asus P5E3-Deluxe for short. The latest and greatest, along with as many features as you can possibly imagine and beyond, is built into this motherboard. Like, an integrated Linux based operating system that boots in five seconds for instant internet access? Now that's something we've haven't seen in any motherboard before. Is the Asus P5E3-Deluxe truly the motherboard of desire, the envy of all your friends, and the ultimate girl magnet? Okay, maybe not the last one, but we will investigate the Asus P5E3-Deluxe together to see how well it stacks up against typical expectations. Technic3D/Plustek Book Reader @ technic3d.com [Oct-26-07] (0 Comments) The Plustek Book Reader arrived Technic3D. The Plustek BookRea der features highly accurate OCR (Optical Character Recognition) and a uto document orientation. This combination guarantees correct output f or TTS (Text to Speech). You only need to press one button, and the Pl ustek Book Reader will convert printed text into high quality speech w ith a lifelike voice. Technic3D will see that in the following Review! Fanatec Headshot Controller @ techpowerup.com [Oct-21-07] (0 Comments) The Fanatec Headshot Controller is a mouse and mousepad combination from German manufacturer Fanatec. Usually such a combo is a low quality product, but not in this case. We were surprised by the excellent build quality which is on par, if not better, with big names like Logitech and Microsoft. Also the mousepad has an incredibly smooth surface with almost no friction. bit-tech P:Assassin's Creed hands-on p @ bit-tech.net [Oct-13-07] (0 Comments) In fact the only real problem is the futuristic-bend on thestory. Onits own it would be forgiveable, but it manages to pervade itselfthrough into absolutely every aspect of the game. Flashing clouds ofbinary for loading screens, streaming symbols in the middle of combatand invisible walls dotted with pseudo-scientific emblems – these arethe elements which could ruin the game's otherwise fantastic set-up.A lot of this could of course change dramatically over the next fewmonths. These futuristic elements could be toned down or removed. It’seven possible that they could be so well explained in the full versionthat they turn from weak points to indispensable and innovative gameelements. But I’m sceptical of that possibility and I for one am going to bewatching Assassin’s Creedvery closely as the release date creeps forward out of the shadows.It’d be a horrible shame for this awesome game to stab itself in thethroat by trying to be something it isn’t. AirLive Sky-211 USB Skype Phone Gateway @ techpowerup.com [Oct-12-07] (0 Comments) The AirLive Sky-211 is an interesting little device, which transforms your home phone into a VoIP device, with which you can make and receive calls over the Internet using Skype. It is incredibly easy to set up and gives you all the comfort of a traditional phone combined with the benefits of a VoIP call. [News] CFI TeraBox II+ USB Multiple HDD Enclosure @ virtual-hideout.net [Oct-12-07] (0 Comments) It doesn't get much simpler than this for a 4 slot externalenclosure. Slide the drives in, select what mode you want and plug it in andgo. With the USB format, the enclosure is portable between systems, anythingafter Windows 98 doesn't need drivers and all the drives can be combinedinto a single drive. CFI Enclosure has put this at a MSRP of $149 and Ithink it is a good match. [News] GIGABYTE GA-P35-DQ6 Motherboard @ virtual-hideout.net [Oct-09-07] (0 Comments) The board I will be reviewing from Gigabyte is the GA-P35-DQ6featuring a P35/ICH9R chipset combination. This model supports the DDR-2standard, dual PCIe graphics capability (only crossfire is supported on theIntel chipsets), solid caps all over the board, Quad bios solution, EightChannel HD audio provided by the Realtek ALC889 codec and silent heatpipecooling. All great features contributing to the very bling-bling nature ofthis board. Let's dig in and see if it stacks up. Cooler Master RC-690 @ techpowerup.com [Oct-06-07] (0 Comments) The Cooler Master RC-690 is their newest mainstream case. It combines the benefits of great aircooling, screwless design and compatiblilty with large graphic cards with solid steel construction. All this comes at a very affordable price point. The case can be had with or without a window. Tagan ITZ Series 1300W Power Supply @ thinkcomputers.org [Sep-24-07] (0 Comments) Back in June we took a look at the GuardianX Silver Power 1000Wpower supply from Tagan and it received good scores. Now Tagan has a new1300W power supply from the ITZ series. It has an 80% efficiency, is quadCPU and video card ready, and has an auto turbo mode to combine all six +12Vrails into one. Also the ITZ is covered in a titanium blue mirror-finishcasing. Let's see how it stacks up to the other 1000W plus power supplies wehave tested. V-Moda's Vibe Duo - iPod & iPhone Headphones @ legitreviews.com [Sep-17-07] (0 Comments) Overall, V-Moda does an excellent job with this headset adapting the finest qualities of their high-quality Vibe earphones into this twin Vibe Duo headset. They have also integrated a very capable microphone wi th passive noise cancelation for telephony use. Anyone with an Apple iPho ne who is trying to enjoy the best sound possible would really do themsel ves a favor by grabbing up a set of these high-quality and extremely comf ortable headphones. We can only hope to see more =93all-in-one=94 mobile devices like the iPhone so that more users can take advantage of these gr eat dual-purpose headphones... Attack on Pearl Harbor (PC) @ thinkgaming.org [Sep-08-07] (0 Comments) Attack on Pearl Harbor is an interesting, easy flight simulator withelementary controls and a focus on WWII air combat. Neither its graphics norits storyline will win awards, but its quick gameplay and decent soundtrackwill have players dodging bullets and bombing carriers on any hardware. Readon for the review. HIS HD 2900 XT 1GB GDDR4 in Crossfire @ tweaktown.com [Sep-02-07] (0 Comments) The HD 2900 XT is a great card; don't let those haters tell you otherwise. At launch there was no denying that it lagged behind the comp etition, and sure AA and AF performance isn't the best but thanks to AM D keeping on top with driver releases the card continues to improve every month. Originally there was supposed to be an XT/XTX combination of the HD 2900 but for some reason it never really happened, instead there has been a ne w incarnation of the XT which not only comes with a jaw dropping 1GB of m emory on it but also carries GDDR4, the latest graphics card memory to hi t the market. Asus P5K3 Premium part 2 @ bit-tech.net [Aug-29-07] (0 Comments) The performance in 2D testing favours slightly betterin the wayof the Premium, and even at 1,500MHz it doesn't really extend the leadthat much. Also, it's not like you can't just buy some 1,500MHz memoryand drop it in a Deluxe, however it seems to be tailored more topreferring lower latency memory like the 1,066MHz DDR3 at 6-6-6-15instead of 1,333MHz at 7-7-7-20.Overclocking is not outright superb, although it is certainly capableand stability is much the same story. In all it feels like a veryaverage board for Asus and one just not worthy of the price tag:it canbe had for £140 more than an already expensive product combination, itonly comes with a three year warranty on the memory and if just one ofthe 32 chips go the whole board has to be returned. Hats off for theinnovation and having the balls to make a product like this, but Iwonder if Asus will actually sell enough to recoup at least thedevelopment costs? I think this should be chalked down to In Win F430 Red Mid Tower ATX Gamers Case @ legitreviews.com [Aug-23-07] (0 Comments) If you spend a little time at any local LAN you will notice gamer s like to trick out their PC case like gearheads trick out a car. In Win has designed a case to combine the two worlds, and we now have the F430. The design of the case takes styling queues from the Ferrari F430 sports car and when you power up the system instead of the standard beep you get the sound of a Ferrari starting up... Watercooling 101 @ bit-tech.net [Aug-23-07] (0 Comments) There are few things in the enthusiast computing world that areasmisunderstood and feared as water cooling. When done right, it can be abeautiful addition to a case while keeping temperatures down and noiselow. When done poorly, it can be a tangled mess of dangerous tubingthat cools worse than air, but can fry your new £350 graphics card in amoment.It's the fear of that latter scenario which has left many of us on oursafe, air-cooled ground. After all, investing in water cooling is notcheap to begin with, and when added to the risks, it almost seems likea no-brainer to go buy the latest block of Zalman copper and call it aday. Some people wouldn't even know where to begin when setting up a system.Yeah, there are basic parts, but which ones? Is it best to stick with abrand name? Is there a certain size to buy? And how can the system staysafe if there's a leak? ThinkPad T61p @ xyzcomputing.com [Aug-21-07] (0 Comments) People who demand more from their notebook than an internet connection, a screen, and a keyboard and who are less concerned about weight can get a surprising amount of power from the right machine. Today's processors and large amounts of RAM can be combined with high resolution displays to make for notebooks that have all the power you would need yet is still able to be moved around. The notebook we will be looking at in this article is the ThinkPad T61p from Lenovo. This is the high performance version of the ThinkPad T61, the first notebook from Lenovo to use Intel's Santa Rosa platform. The T61p is essentially an upgraded version of the T61 with certain options that are mandatory and a number of performance benefits over the rest of the ThinkPad line. This is the most powerful ThinkPad currently available- and ever released- so it's been highly awaited by tech professionals and all sorts of demanding mobile users. CoolJag Falcon 92-CU Universal CPU Cooler @ pro-clockers.com [Aug-15-07] (0 Comments) Most air CPU cooling solutions rely on a combination of copperheatpipes and large aluminum or copper fin arrays to pull heat away from the processor. While this is aproven and tested technique, it does leave a lot to be desired in terms ofcreativity, uniqueness, and overall design. CoolJag has taken some of thebest CPU cooling methods available and designed the Falcon 92-CU with alittle twist. This heatsink uses large copper fins on top of a small arrayof aluminum fins to try and increase heat dissipation. Will this techniquehelp us Asus R1F Tablet PC @ insidehw.com [Aug-15-07] (0 Comments) ASUS R1F is by the specifications a combination of mobility andperformance. While most of the Tablet PCs are targeting either users withspecific needs or the ones who want an attention-grabbing computer, ASUS R1Fseems to successfully hit both target markets. In Win Mountain Jade HTPC Case @ thinkcomputers.org [Aug-15-07] (0 Comments) In Win's Mountain Jade microATX case is the Taiwanese manufacturer'simprovement on its BK623 case. The Mountain Jade is well-suited for an HTPC,promising only 30 dB(A) outside the case when combined with a stock Core 2Duo cooler. ThinkComputers investigates this case to see if its fashionablyblack exterior and partitioned interior are as awesome as In Win purportsthem to be. Red Steel for Nintendo Wii @ bonafidereviews.com [Aug-05-07] (0 Comments) Before it came out, many proclaimed that Red Steel would surely become the ultimate showcase for the Wii Remote’s motion-sensing technology:an FPS with a dash of swordplay, a combination of two activities that the Wii Remote could make far more lifelike and accurate than any other controller! And then it was released. Hiper HPU-4K530-MS Type R Modular 530W PSU @ benchmarkreviews.com [Jul-25-07] (0 Comments) Hiper combines show-quality looks with plenty of features in the HPU-4K530-MS Type R Modular 530W PSU. The dual +12V rails offer regulated power distribution, and can power even the Mvix MV-5000U Multimedia Center @ thinkcomputers.org [Jul-24-07] (0 Comments) Every now and then, a little-known company comes out of the etherand delivers a product that is revolutionary. Mvix believes its MV-5000Umedia-playing hard enclosure is a candidate for these laurels. Once theend-user installs a hard drive in the MV-500U, he or she can use it forstorage or, when combined with a television, as a portable media player (onecan even put it in a car!). However, the MV-5000U isn't all it's cracked upto be, but shows promise. Read on to find out why. Thermaltake Toughpower W0133RU 1200W Modular PSU @ benchmarkreviews.com [Jul-04-07] (0 Comments) It's difficult to justify the need for a 1200W power supply unit, since every appliance in my entire house would need to be combined just to consume this much electricity. However, if Archos Generation 5 Launch Coverage @ thetechlounge.com [Jun-24-07] (0 Comments) Michael covered Archos' Generation 5 launch event in NYC last week, and thenew Archos 605 was the rockstar of the show. The real question is, does the605 seem ill-featured or me-too? Despite some initial missteps with the UI,the lack of an out-of-the-box browser and frustration that the company joinsthe throngs of people telling me to pay more money for content I've alreadybought, I think the Archos 605 is a strong entry into the market. If Ididn't have anything that plays video, and especially if I was in the samesituation and looking to replace my iPod, I'd definitely be buying. And ifyou're willing to commit, the combination of the 605 with the DVR dock andTV Plus makes for a remarkably complete media ecosystem. Which could makelazy people like me very happy. Loki p @ bit-tech.net [Jun-22-07] (0 Comments) The hack 'n' slash genre is one which I haven't played enoughof inrecent years, mainly because games of the hack 'n' slash variant tendto be of poor quality and are often immediately bargain bin material orthe stuff of weird Doom 3 mods.The hack 'n' slash genre still has a lot to offer though in theory, aslong as a good enough game can be made of it. Simple interfaces, focuson combat and RPG-lite elements; these are the hallmarks of hack 'n'slash which make it ideal for laptop gaming and some casual RPG fans.So, since we RPG fanatics are otherwise left around waiting for Fallout3 and Mass Effect, we'll have a look at the upcoming Lokiand see if it can tide us over or if it's nothing more than the bargainbin material we're used to. Vizo Master Panel II @ rbmods.com [Jun-20-07] (0 Comments) I've always found connecting peripheral devices in the back of thecomputer to be a pain, especially if it's inside a cabinet or under a table.Vizo, makers of a wide range of computer products, has come out with aproduct, the Vizo Master Panel II, which enables you to utilize an extra5.25 Zaward @ techpowerup.com [Jun-15-07] (0 Comments) Zaward has a small booth at Computex, but their CPU coolers are quite out of the ordinary. Some feature direct touch heatpipes, while others use golf fans in combination with heatpipes for silent operation. A pre-filled watercooling kit and passive northbridge heatsink can also be viewed at their booth Cooler Master Real Power Pro 550W Power Supply @ pro-clockers.com [Jun-14-07] (0 Comments) Modern power supplies come in a variety of flavors, sizes, andfeatures. Some are designed for raw power, while others target more specificaudiences like gamers and modders. Today, we have Cooler Master's Real PowerPro 550w power supply on our test bench. This power supply combines a rareblend of efficient power and stylish looks. This beast hasn't even beenreleased to the public yet, but Pro-Clockers have been given a uniqueopportunity to review it before anyone else. Antec P182 @ overclockersonline.net [Jun-05-07] (0 Comments) Improving on the already popular P180, the P182 should satisfy almosteveryone's needs. The design is visually appealing and also veryutilitarian. To set itself apart from competitors, the case has manyrefinements such as the silicone-grommeted hard drive cage andsound-absorbing panels. Also, with room for five 120mm fans, cooling shouldnot be a problem at all. Special features include the water-cooling grommetsand the fan control switches. Nintendo Wii @ thinkgaming.org [May-30-07] (0 Comments) The release of the Nintendo Wii in November 2006 has brought adifferent look to next generation consoles. Since is release it has soldover 7 million units. The Wii uses wireless (Bluetooth) remotes, calledWiimotes. Yes, other consoles offer wireless remotes, but they don't offerwhat the Wii does, interaction. The remote and receiver combination is moreof a virtual simulation where how you move physically is affected in thegame. This is very different than any other console. Yet some gamers mayfind this to completely destroy their purpose of video gaming. This usuallyis to just sit around rather than move. This gives the opportunity forpeople to lose weight and enjoy themselves while doing it. Who knew thatvideo games could come to this? Crucial Ballistix Tracer PC2-8500 @ overclockersonline.net [May-26-07] (0 Comments) Esthetics and appearance aside, these modules are prettysolid...okay, so they are extremely satisfying. You are basically gettingthe fastest binned memory from the manufacturer who makes the most importantcomponent in any other kit of memory rated at the same speed or higher. I ama bench marker and out-right performance is all that impresses me withmemory. The 3-4-3 overclocking of this memory has me very impressed and Ihave had some good kits at those timings. the bonus with this kit is that itclocks at 5-5-5 as well as some of the PC2-9200 modules out there. Intel China's Modding Expo show report @ bit-tech.net [May-22-07] (0 Comments) Celebrity endorsements are a powerful marketing tool:womenspendbillions on cosmetics because a movie star tells them “they’re worthit”. Thousands of weekend golfers lap up Nike equipment to “be likeTiger”. But would the same thing work for a product like a processor?Faced with the challenge of sexing-up CPUs as part of a domesticmarketing push, Intel China devised an impressively progressive plan:tap into the talent of the worldwide modding community to combinebeauty on the outside with speed and power efficiency on the inside. LTB MG51 Magnum 5.1 USB Headset @ techgage.com [May-21-07] (0 Comments) Sound. To a gamer it's the hinge pin of gaming. You needit to surviveand with the advent of multi channel sound solutions there's no excusefor living with old school 2.0 setups, even when you're lanning ortrying to game without disturbing others. Today we take a look at a setof headphones that are 5.1 and feature their ownbuilt in amp and sound decoding. Gigabyte 3D Galaxy II Water Cooling Kit @ hi-techreviews.com [May-09-07] (0 Comments) When we first reviewed the original 3d Galaxy water cooling kit, wewere pleasantly surprised at the ease of installation and how well itperformed. Gigabyte has made a number of great changes to the secondversion of this kit, perhaps the most important is the increase in tubingsize from 3/8 AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ CPU @ rbmods.com [May-09-07] (0 Comments) Although dual-core computer processor technology is just hitting themainstream market, the prices of dual-core processors keep goingdown and speed keeps going up. Is it time to make the switch to a dual-core?Geeks.com, popular online retailer, sent us one of their dual-coreofferings, an AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ processor. Will it offer a goodcombination of speed and value, especially when compared to its single-corecousins? Let's find out. Microsoft Wireless Entertainment Desktop 7000 @ bluetomorrow.com [May-08-07] (0 Comments) The Microsoft Wireless Entertainment Desktop 7000 has a sleek design, unique features, impressive range, unheralded battery life and most importantly a competitive price (the product includes both the Bluetooth keyboard and mouse for less $ than the diNovo Edge). Overall, the Desktop 7000 is a high-quality keyboard and mouse combination that is a great accessory for your entertainment desktop or notebook computer. content-type:x-google-sender-auth; @ dragonsteelmods.com [May-04-07] (0 Comments) I don't think this little guy needs much of an introduction, when someonesays R2-D2, we all know exactly what that person means. Today for review Ihave a mimobot, what's a mimobot you say? Well it's a really cool USBThumbdrive, or as mimoco calls them an 'Art Toy USB Flash Drive'. This thingis just plain cool, geeks everywhere should rejoice, mimoco combined twovery geeky things, the USB Thumbdrive and Star Wars to produce a limitededition set of mimobots. The set, Series 1, includes Storm Troopers, DarthVader, Chewbacca and of course R2-D2. So, read on my fellow geeks to checkthis little gadget out, I've got lots of pictures for you, and of course abit of testing in this review... Customer Support - The Turbine Experience @ bigbruin.com [May-03-07] (0 Comments) I have heard of problems with many of the current and past generations of MMOs (Massively Multiplayer Online games) on the market. Some of them are valid, some of them are not. Of course there is the old adage that you can't please everyone all the time, but I wonder if the developers/game operators even really try? While I can not personally speak to every MMO/Online Game out there, I can speak to Turbine's DDO (Dungeons and Dragons Online)... Hot Gadgets! Scythe 18-in-1 USB 2.0 FDD & Card Reader Combo @ tweaktown.com [May-02-07] (0 Comments) So you go out and get a floppy drive and maybe even just install it for OS installations then put it away. But what if you could get some added functionality from your device? Would that make a difference? After all, floppy drives are pretty handy for BIOS flashes and hardware firmware updates too.Enter Scythe, a company that has been around since late 2002 and are well known for their cooling products. Its aim is to give the DIY crowd something workable at a reasonable price. One of Scythe's latest projects was to create a device that works with a lot of different media types but also includes the functionality of a floppy drive. Basically the YD-8V08 is a 3.5-inch device that combines a card reader (18 formats according to the marketing media) and a floppy drive. Does it all work together? Read on to see for yourself. Lenovo Thinkpad Z61t Notebook @ xyzcomputing.com [Apr-05-07] (0 Comments) This notebook resembles the rest of the Thinkpad line in most respects, but differentiates itself in a few ways. The Z series is the most consumer-friendly Thinkpad and combines popular features, like an integrated camera and widescreen display, with a reasonable price- something that is sure to go over well with buyers. The Z61t is still not ever going to be as cheap at as entry-level Dell but it currently starts are just over $1100 and has the features to justify the extra money, as well as the distinction of being a Thinkpad. If those were all not enough then it has one more surprise in store- a titanium exterior. Logitech Cordless Desktop S 530 Laser for the Mac @ pro-clockers.com [Apr-02-07] (0 Comments) Logitech has long been known as one of the premier manufacturers ofWindows-based input devices, especially keyboards and mice. So, when I heardthat they created their first wireless keyboard/mousecombo that was exclusively designed for the Mac, I had to call them up andrequest a review sample. Luckily, Logitech had one available and theyshipped it over to me. The Logitech Cordless Desktop S 530 Laser for the Maccombines Logitech's award winning design with the creativity of Mac'sarchitecture and unique operating system features. Let's jump right into this review with both feet,and see if the S 530 matches up to the quality of typical Mac products. nVidia nForce 680i LT SLI Chipset P – Boosting Mainstream @ tweaktown.com [Mar-27-07] (0 Comments) Unfortunately between 650i SLI and 680i SLI there is a large price gap. So if you want full-speed SLI and other performance enhancements attributed to the 680i SLI, you need to pay a premium, right? Not according to ASUS who designed a rather unique chipset which is the basis for today’s article. The P5N32 Hybrid SLI allows you to run dual full-speed SLI graphics cards on the board by combining the 650i SLI Northbridge with the 590SLI MCP Southbridge from the AMD platform chipset.Whether nVidia looked at this and though it was a good idea or had this chip in the pipeline is unknown, but today we have the beefed up 650i SLI chipset which has now been given the name nForce 680i LT SLI. Microsoft Wireless Entertainment Desktop 7000 @ xyzcomputing.com [Mar-27-07] (0 Comments) The Microsoft Wireless Entertainment Desktop 7000 is a high performance keyboard and mouse combination that is currently Microsoft's flagship hardware product, at least until the Wireless Entertainment Desktop 8000 arrives (later this year). This kit pairs Microsoft's brand new keyboard design with their top-shelf mouse, the Wireless Laser Mouse 8000. Throw in some very cool design, a lot of innovative features, and Bluetooth connectivity and Microsoft is betting they have a product that can't miss. Spire RocKeteer VI 600W @ overclockersonline.net [Mar-21-07] (0 Comments) The Spire RocKeteer SP-600W is a fairly well rounded power supply.While its performance isn't mind boggling or extraordinary, it does holdvery well and performs very, very well. Not only does it perform well, butit also looks great! The silver sleeved wires in rubber tubing, blue molexconnector and black titanium finish complement each other very well. Lian Li C31 Case @ xyzcomputing.com [Mar-08-07] (0 Comments) One of the hottest segments in the PC enclosure market right now is the home theater case. Home theater PCs (HTPCs) are generally placed in desktop-style (horizontal) cases that are designed to be placed in a media cabinet, often stacked with other components. In many ways the HTPC enclosure is a subsection of the desktop enclosure and there is a lot of crossover between the two styles. This review will be featuring one of Lian Li's new desktop cases, the PC-C31, or C31 for short. This aluminum case uses an extremely clean design in order to allow it to be placed right on your desktop or in at stock of AV equipment. This horizontal design is something that has largely fallen out of favor with consumers, except for with HTPCs, despite them being very useful under the right circumstances. Asus P5N32-E SLI Plus Hybrid Chipset Motherboard @ pcper.com [Mar-06-07] (0 Comments) The performance of the new Asus P5N32-E SLI Plus motherboard wasvery impressive! It was able to run as fast as both the EVGA nForce 680imotherboard and Asus' own Striker motherboard that is also based on thenForce 680i chipset. Usually I would say that this isn't very interestinginformation, but since this is a first-of-its-kind chipset combination,pairing the north bridge of the 650i chipset with the south bridge of the570 SLI chipset, that kind of performance and reliability is a great victoryfor Asus. Samsung 226BW @ overclockersonline.net [Mar-01-07] (0 Comments) Overall I have been very pleased with the 226BW's performance. Itoffers a great combination of stylish looks and performance that won't beeasily matched by its rivals. The high contrast ratio, static and dynamic,combined with the fast response time to produce a stellar image makes mewant to grab two for my room! ifrogz Silicone iPod Case @ bigbruin.com [Feb-26-07] (0 Comments) Now that you have joined the iPod revolution, you need to keep your new iPod in the best shape possible; you need to get a cover. But how do you choose a cover that is right for you with all the different types, styles, and colors available? Ifrogz has tried to address the need for a functional case while offering an extensive selection of styles and colors with their line of Silicone iPod Cases. Offered in thousands of color combinations, you are sure to find your color of choice for just about any iPod on the market. [News] Logitech VX Revolution Mouse @ virtual-hideout.net [Feb-23-07] (0 Comments) The VX Revolution was a superb laptop mouse, and actually, wouldwork well as a desktop mouse. The combination of a large set of features,such as the thumb buttons, zoom slider and MicroGear precision scroll wheel,make this one of the most advanced mice out there, and definite item on thewish list of any power user. Razer Barracuda AC-1 Sound Card @ xyzcomputing.com [Feb-22-07] (0 Comments) While we all have been waiting to check out Razer's sound card, they released the Barracuda HP-1 headphones first so we have had a few months to play with them first. This surround sound headset was an appreciable accomplishment for the company, but I felt like it could not really be completely judged until used with the Razer sound card. After all, while they do not have to be used together, they are a matched pair. So my hope is that by using them together we will be able to get the most out of each. It could just be a clever marketing scheme combined with a strange connector though, so we'll see. Spire BlackFin Case @ rbmods.com [Feb-19-07] (0 Comments) WhenI choose a computer case, I typically am drawn towards a couple of things:goodlooks and cool features that will make building and using the computer enjoyable.Spire, makers of a wide variety of computer products, sent us a sample of oneof their new cases, the Spire BlackFin mid-tower computer case, which claims tocombine stylish looks with a sophisticated design. Can their case live up tothese lofty claims? Let’s find out in this case review. [News] Silverstone SG01 Evolution, @ virtual-hideout.net [Feb-15-07] (0 Comments) The combination of these three products really helps eliminate thehassle of creating a small form factor system. The system I created couldeasily be used as a HTPC or PVR in my entertainment system, and would hardlybe noticed as the footprint is really small. Since the entire setup is solight, the other option.... News@Technic3D / Perixx Periduo-601 Wireless @ technic3d.com [Feb-14-07] (0 Comments) The new Perixx Periduo-601 Wireless Mouse and Keyboard arrived Technic3D. This combination resembles much the diNova from Logitech. The Perixx version with a very small price good for Gamer or Office Us er? See you in the following Review on Technic3D SilverStone CW01 Multimedia Server Case @ pcper.com [Feb-13-07] (0 Comments) SilverStone's new Crown Series CW01 multimedia server case is anexcellent HTPC enclosure that is sure to please the most discriminatingenthusiast. The clean, simple lines combined with excellent build quality,aluminum construction and gold accents result in an elegantly functionalenclosure. The CW01 offers very good cooling options and great storageflexibility. And don't forget, the CW01 is available in a limited editionthat features a window on the front panel to showcase the inner workings ofa Raptor X HDD! ASUS "Republic of Gamers" Commando – P965 to the limits @ tweaktown.com [Jan-31-07] (0 Comments) We have seen that with the right combination of overclocking options and motherboard features that the P965 chipset is a power house. ASUS has already done pretty well with the P5B-E Plus we looked at last time; however, this was just a patch board for the Commando to arrive.Commando is the third board to come out in the “Republic of Gamers” series of boards, joining the Striker Extreme and the Crosshair boards. Based on the Intel P965 chipset it looks to have the goods, but how does it stack up and is it really worth the high price tag of over $300 USD? Samsung K5 MP3 Player @ xyzcomputing.com [Jan-24-07] (0 Comments) Lately Samsung has done a great job of turning things around. The company has seemingly decided to really make some headway in the digital audio market with a few devices that combine form and function in a way that we would expect from Samsung. In the T9 Samsung has a solid product that has finally managed to get some attention as a great iPod alternative, but the really exciting product from them this season is what we will be looking at today:the K5. The K5 has a few things going for it, but the foremost is an integrated set of speakers. That's right, built-in speakers in a Nano-sized player. None of your friend's are going to care about the 1.8 Antec EarthWatts 500W @ overclockersonline.net [Jan-22-07] (0 Comments) Chalk another one up for Antec! The EarthWatts 500W is an excellent power supply unit which combines efficiency, performance, and is almost inaudible despite the single 80mm fan. This power supply was able hold its ground even under absolutely treacherous conditions. Linksys iPhone CIT300 Dual-Mode Skype Phone @ thetechlounge.com [Jan-22-07] (0 Comments) The product we'll be taking a look at today is the iPhone CIT300 from Linksys. This isn't just your simple everyday cordless phonethough, because not only does it support your typical landline connection, but it's also compatible with Skype. If you're notfamiliar with Skype, it's simply a Voice Over IP (VoIP) service that allows you to talk to other Skype users on the computer forfree. The catch is that you both need to be at your computer in order to talk, using a microphone and speaker/headphone combinationor a headset of some sort. While it's great that you can make free PC-to-PC Akasa integral ESATA @ techpowerup.com [Jan-18-07] (0 Comments) Akasa has a full range of external hard drive enclosures. The integral line-up includes every connection variant from LAN and USB 2.0 to eSATA. The Akasa integral eSATA combines USB 2.0 and eSATA. You can also use an IDE or SATA drive with the enclosure. This makes the integral eSATA a very versatile enclosure. We use every possible combination and take a look at the performance of both connection types. Its stackable, sleek looks combined with the good performance make this a perfect choice for users who plan to use multiple external enclosures. Microsoft Habu Laser Gaming Mouse @ xyzcomputing.com [Jan-05-07] (0 Comments) Microsoft realized that its Intellimouse Explorer despite being a general use mouse had a strong following amongst gamers. The company capitalized on this with the release of the Intellimouse Explorer 3.0 where they changed the color to black (a must for gamers), improved a few of the features, and took the mouse back to the old school design of the previous Intellimouse models. With this mouse Microsoft was trying to get the attention of gamers, maybe not rocking their world, but letting them know that Microsoft had a product built for them. The next mouse ended up being the Habu. This is notable because Microsoft teamed up with Razer to make the mouse. It's all little strange, but if you combine Razer's design with Microsoft's size, it seems like you would have a good chance at a successful product. If nothing else this mouse is an exercise in teamwork and a look at what happens when two very different parties join forces. ASUS WL-500W SuperSpeed N Wireless Router @ thinkcomputers.org [Jan-02-07] (0 Comments) ASUS isn't just known for its fantastic motherboards and bare-bones laptops. It also produces a series of wireless devices,most notably the WL-500G, an 802.11g-compliant wireless router that has a built-in USB port. The router can be combined with anexternal hard drive to set up a file server, or a printer to set up a print server. The WL-500W, the subject of this review, is theWL-500G's big brother. It is a pre-N router, meaning it supports the most current draft specifications of 802.11n as of itsmanufacture date and firmware revision. Read on for a investigative review. CoolIT Freezone Liquid CPU Cooler @ thinkcomputers.org [Jan-01-07] (0 Comments) When it comes to water-cooling a lot of us are clueless, not knowing what type of pump to get or what size tubing. That iswhy all-in-one systems are great, everything is there all in one piece and it usually is easy to use. Today I will be looking at theCoolIT Freezone all-in-one liquid CPU cooler. This system includes multiple TEC's that provide unique liquid chilling for superiorcooling performance. So let's see how well it performs and how easy it is for a first time water-cooling user like myself. Akasa integral fusion External HDD enclosure @ techpowerup.com [Dec-30-06] (0 Comments) The Akasa integral fusion combines two devices into one sleek functional device - an USB hard drive enclosure and a multi format card reader. It may not be the fastest enclosure for your money and the software may be a bit crude, but it gets the job done - that is what counts. Scythe Andy Samurai Master CPU Cooler @ pro-clockers.com [Dec-29-06] (0 Comments) The Andy Samurai Master has an unusual name and a new shape uncommonto fans of Scythe. Honestly, I have no idea where they got the name for. Theonly thing I will say is this cooler is a combination of West meets East. Iguess the Andy is the Logitech diNovo Edge @ modders-inc.com [Dec-28-06] (0 Comments) Logitech introduces the diNovo Edge ultra slim Bluetooth keyboard.This thin rechargeable keyboard is not only functional but highly stylish.The gloss black and brushed silver finish with back lit controls add a highend feel. Bluetooth technology combined with functional extras mean thereshould be a lot to love about this keyboard. Mid-Range GeForce 7 Series Round-up @ hothardware.com [Dec-15-06] (0 Comments) Shopping for a GeForce 7 card is akin to stopping at Baskin Robbins thesedays, with so many flavors to choose from. We decided to grab one of thoselittle plastic spoons and do a little of the sampling for you. Up fortoday's taste test are MSI's NX7900GT-VT2D256E-HD, a pre-overclocked 7900 GTalso featuring HDCP support, and two cards from Asus:the EN7900GSTOP/2DHT/256M/A and the EN7950GT/HTDP/512M/A. The former card also comesoverclocked by default, and by a large margin, while the latter card sports512MB of RAM as well as HDCP support. Logisys Blue Acrylic/Clear Yin Yang Case @ modders-inc.com [Dec-09-06] (0 Comments) The clear Yin Yang Case combines the beauty of colors with thecontemporary sense of clarity in the form of ancient Chinese Yin Yang curve.With a clear front door, it adds more protection for your valuable drivesand more elegance and style. The light transparent color gives the case afresh look in the beige dominated PC world. You have to see it to appreciateits beauty. Ideazon MERC Gaming Keyboard @ xyzcomputing.com [Dec-06-06] (0 Comments) Ideazon is best known for their Zboard- a keyboard that is made up of a base and removable keyset. A dedicated keyset is included for gaming and one comes for standard use- a novel idea, but something that take time to change and can get expensive if you start to buy specialty keysets. The MERC takes a standard keyboard and slaps a Fang Gamepad on the left side, but it can also be seen as the best qualities of the two Zboard keysets combined into one product. Coolit Freezone Watercooling Cpu cooler @ rbmods.com [Dec-06-06] (0 Comments) For a long time now watercooling has been an effective way of cooling down your computer and many have started using it. The problem is mainly that it's hard to maintain and also the trouble of installing it. Some have even added on Tec=B4s or peltiers as they are called to combine and get even better performance. Coolit has realized this and released their new Freezone cpu cooler that both have a watercooling setup and peltiers built in on the cooler. All you have to do is mount the waterblock on the cpu and mount the power cables and the system already has liquid and cables mounted. We are going to test this vs the well performing air cooler named Zalman CNPS AM2 to see what type of temperature difference we can see. [News] Zalman ZM600-HP 600w Modular Power Supply @ virtual-hideout.net [Dec-01-06] (0 Comments) The Zalman ZM600-HP accomplished what it set out to do in deliveringa solid combination of power (600w), a nicely done modular cable system, andthe uniqueness of the first heatpipe cooled power supply interior. [News] Thermaltake Armor LCS Liquid Cooled ATX Chassis @ virtual-hideout.net [Nov-30-06] (0 Comments) The Thermaltake Armor LCS features a 120x240mm front mountedradiator with dual 120mm fans sporting blue LEDs, a hefty CPU water blockwith an acrylic top and another blue LED, and the P500 pump with an attachedreservoir. Plenty of coolant and tubing is included, and also happens to beUV reactive X-Micro F610 Music Video Player @ rbmods.com [Nov-28-06] (0 Comments) Ipod has taken over the market as the biggest mp3 player. Iriver and some smaller companies are trying to keep up and X-Micro is one of them. We got a sample of their latest creation named F610 which is a combined video and music player. With a extremely small design and light weight they have been able to combine these two players into one. It looks good but does it also work good? How good of a battery time can we get with this? How is the sound quality? Those are just a few questions we hope to answer in this review for you. Auzentech X-Meridian 7.1 Sound Card @ nvnews.net [Nov-21-06] (0 Comments) The sound that came out of my headphones with Dolby Headphone enabled was awe inspiring. I have never heard anything like it. From ratty old mp3s to high definition audio, this card delivers amazing quality of sound. My wife even agrees. I made her listen to some mp3s normally, then with Dolby Headphone turned on. Then, I turned on the Virtual 7.1 speakers, and she became giddy...a very rare occurrence. For those of us who cannot crank up the audio without disturbing our significant others, the Dolby Headphone feature is the perfect solution. X-Micro WLAN 11g Combo Finder Adapter @ rbmods.com [Nov-17-06] (0 Comments) Wireless LAN is one of the biggest things these days when it comes to home and office neworks. It saves alot of space and trouble when installing a network wherever it is. The problem is that it's quite expensive but Xmicro has found a smart way to combine a Wifi finder and a USB Wifi card. This is a smart little device that can find wireless networks and also work as a USB wifi card, could it get any better? The big question is though how well does this work, and that's what we are here to find out today. Gigabyte 3D Aurora case @ bit-tech.net [Nov-15-06] (0 Comments) The Aurora 570 is going to make an awesome choice for those looking to build their own watercooling set ups. For one, the dual 120mm fan mounts on the back make it very easy to mount a dual-size radiator on that panel, making for some fairly awesome internalised set ups. On the other hand, if you are looking to use an external, pre-made system, then the case has built-in rubberised holes to pass the tubing through - an awesome feature that we're starting to see on more cases. The holes mean you don't have to go fiddling hose through PCI slots, which is a definite bonus. Icemat Siberia In:Ear Headset @ rbmods.com [Nov-15-06] (0 Comments) With the use of headsets becoming more widespread in gaming and VOIP, choosing a comfortable and capable headset is becoming more important. Icemat, whose mousepads we've reviewed in the past, has come out with a line of audio products that are geared towards today's gamers who demand the best. Today, we'll look at the Icemat Siberia In:Ear Headset, which is a combined earphone/microphone headset. Read on to see if it stands up to the cold stare of our review. SilverStone Zeus ST85ZF 850W Power Supply @ pcper.com [Nov-13-06] (0 Comments) The Zeus 850W power supply supports ATX12V v2.2/EPS12V and is ratedfor a combined, continuous output power of 850 watts at up to 50=B0C ambientair temperature (internal case air temperature). This is an importantfeature and one many generic power supplies don't have. Many less expensivepower supplies rate their output capacity based on 25=B0C, which is notrealistic. If SilverStone rated the Zeus 850W this way it would beadvertised as a 1,050W power supply. World-Exclusive:Thermaltake TMG AT2 @ techpowerup.com [Nov-10-06] (0 Comments) The Thermaltake TMG AT2 is a cooler for ATI's Radeon X1800, X1900 and X1950 Series. It uses a combination of copper and aluminum to optimize the cooling. We compared the cooler to the Arctic Cooling Accelero X2 and the Zalman FC-ZV9 Fatal1ty. The temperature results were among the best of the tested coolers. Not only performance is great, but the installation is also very easy to perform, in just a couple of minutes. Thermalfly F1-IACSHA Heatsink ed on FrostyTech @ frostytech.com [Nov-08-06] (0 Comments) Right now it's time to get back on track as we evaluate the Thermalfly F1-IACSHA, a large fully copper heatsink which combines a 63mm diameter squirrel cage fan and a unique L-shaped copper cooling fin array. This heatsink has a couple attributes we've never seen before in a desktop cooler. The Thermalfly F1-IACSHA is equipped with a four-pin Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) squirrel cage fan that goes one step further than BIOS determined fan speed control. At the base of the F1-IACSHA heatsink is its very own thermistor temperature sensor, taped to the top of the copper processor block with a small aluminum sticker. The thermistor provides accurate temperature readings to the fan, and this determines how quickly it spins at any given moment. Logitech VX Revolution Wireless Mouse @ xyzcomputing.com [Nov-08-06] (0 Comments) Logitech has largely remained the leader in the input device market and their hold on the cordless mouse segment is especially firm, almost to the point of being tyrannical. The company has not only had extremely popular and well regarded mice like the MX700 and the MX1000 but has also done a good job selling wireless desktops- keyboard and mouse combinations. So what's the point of all this? Simple put, Logitech knows how to make a solid mouse and they are able to adapt their design skills to different circumstances. Silverstone LC20 @ overclockersonline.com [Nov-03-06] (0 Comments) Looking back to the key marketing features Silverstone is presentingI'd say the results meet the marketing about half way. Certainly the casedoes have a clean, sophisticated appearance, and it does present manycooling options if you require them; however, given the depth of the case,the storage capacity could be severely hampered with the wrong mix ofcomponents, and you'll have a difficult time keeping this case quiet enoughto be inaudible during quiet sections of movies or games if it's notstationed in a console or cabinet. Silverstone LC20 @ overclockersonline.com [Nov-03-06] (0 Comments) marketing about half way. Certainly the case does have a clean,sophisticated appearance, and it does present many cooling options if yourequire them; however, given the depth of the case, the storage capacitycould be severely hampered with the wrong mix of components, and you'll havea difficult time keeping this case quiet enough to be inaudible during quietsections of movies or games if it's not stationed in a console or cabinet. Zalman Fatal1ty FC-ZE1 Computer Case @ tweaknews.net [Oct-16-06] (0 Comments) Zalman's association with Johnathan “Fatal1ty” Wendel has yielded yet another outstanding product. The FC-ZE1 Champion Series computer enclosure is a superb chassis with great aesthetics and the performance to back it up. The design, quality, craftsmanship and materials brought to bear in the creation of this chassis are second to none and culminate in a product that is, in my opinion, without peer. The design elements in combination with a rich, innovative feature set make installation a breeze and allow the case to exhibit great cooling performance while keeping noise to a minimum. PC Power & Cooling Turbo-Cool 1KW Power Supply @ madshrimps.be [Oct-06-06] (0 Comments) Describing any review involving PC Power & Cooling products is more difficult then one might think. How do you describe a company to which so many accolades have already been attributed? Today we have the honor of testing the Turbo-Cool 1000W (1kW) PSU [News] Silentmaxx ST-11 PRO Case @ virtual-hideout.net [Oct-06-06] (0 Comments) Well, with the Silentmaxx ST-11 Pro, the hum was hardly noticed.What I heard was the power supply fan and the 80mm exhaust fan. Theacoustical material does a very good job in absorbing the noise. Now, if youdump all the unwanted fans and go with a water cooling setup in this case,I'll bet you will be asking yourself if the computer is even powered up. Antazone AS-C1000 Universal Heatpipe CPU Cooler @ bigbruin.com [Sep-29-06] (0 Comments) We are going to take a look at Antazone's one and only CPU cooler, the AS-C1000. The AS-C1000 is a giant turbine shaped cooler made entirely of bright, shiny copper... The turbine part of the Antazone heatsink is actually a tight group of 70 radial fins with 3 heatpipes wrapped around it, and the heatpipes continue on down to a rather small CPU block. The bottom is not a perfect mirror, but not too bad, and it should transfer heat rather well. Cooler Master Mystique 631 @ thinkcomputers.org [Sep-28-06] (0 Comments) Cooler Master is well known in the DIY and enthusiast realms for combining great function with sleek, stylish looks. WhileCooler Master has been selling Power Supplies and other cooling products they seem to be really diving into the case market latelyproviding some really nice looking cases aimed at a more mature crowd and offering them at a great price. Today we will be taking alook at the Cooler Master Mystique 631 which offers some really great features such as a tool free design at a great price. DTech Bluetooth & USB 2.0 Hub @ thinkcomputers.org [Sep-23-06] (0 Comments) Two of the most common types of devices I use on my PC are Bluetooth and USB devices. I use so many USB devices that I havean extra USB hub. In that extra USB hub I have a USB Bluetooth adapter that connects all of my Bluetooth devices to my computer.Well what if I could save that USB port and combine the Bluetooth capability into the USB hub itself? Well today I'm looking at aproduct that does just that, the DTech Bluetooth & USB 2.0 Hub. Let's see if it can save me the extra USB space by incorporating theBluetooth technology into the hub itself. Logitech Harmony 895 @ ukgamer.com [Sep-14-06] (0 Comments) Logitech's Harmony 895 is one of those rare breeds, combining high-end functionality with a price that won't leave you gasping for breath. As a universal remote control it needs to have a cool factor and the designers at Logitech have come up with something that looks sleek, does the basics very well and has a few tricks up its sleeve as well. Wolfking Timberwolf Gaming Keyboard @ thinkcomputers.org [Sep-13-06] (0 Comments) WolfKing is a gaming technology company positioned at the leading edge of gaming interfaces and accessories. The WolfKingTimberwolf is the creation of WolfKing Inc, their goal with this product was to produce a high quality gaming keyboard offering aserious alternative for those users who find a traditional style keyboard cumbersome when gaming. Today we will be looking at theWolfKing Timberwolf Keyboard is a combination of the Wolfking Warrior Gamepad, that was reviewed earlier, and a standard keyboard(without the numberpad). Asus P5W64 WS Professional @ hothardware.com [Sep-13-06] (0 Comments) The Asus P5W64 WS Professional offered virtually identicalperformance to its more mainstream counterpart, the Asus P5W DH and held aslight advantage in most of our benchmarks over the Intel BadAxemotherboard. In our testing with the P5W64 WS configured with the ArecaHardware RAID controller, the combination put up some of the fastest RAIDperformance numbers we've seen in our labs to date. Aerocool Turbine 2000 120mm LED Fan @ gideontech.com [Sep-13-06] (0 Comments) The Aerocool Turbine Fan comes equipped with a double layer fan blade design to improve air pressure. At 16 fan blades, it uses more than any other 120mm fan on the market. Originally I had thoughts to use this quiet but deadly fan in a mod, but decided to use it to quiet down a rackmount case. Koolance PC4-1025BK 1kW Liquid Cooling System @ pcper.com [Sep-11-06] (0 Comments) The Koolance PC4-1025 combines an advanced liquid cooling systemwith an elegant enclosure that is sure to please even the most demandingenthusiast. You will be hard pressed to build a more capable system fromscratch. The PC4-1025 Liquid Cooling System delivers excellent performance,advanced features, and modern styling in a self-contained and easy toinstall system. The finished result looks awesome and presents aprofessional appearance! Hardware3D News:How To Properly Clean Your DVD Collection @ hardware3d.com [Sep-03-06] (0 Comments) Properly cleaning the data side of DVDs is one of the most disregarded hardware longetivity precautions. Often times, individuals wipe off grease and/or dust by simply rubbing the non-label side of a disc in a circular fashion, using harsh abrasives, such the underside of a t-shirt, or worse, a towel. Truth be told, that's not the way to do it! Yes, you may have temporarily fixed the read issue, but you have also permanently scarred the disc, which could cause many more read issues in the future. Why not take a few extra precautions and do it the right way, and make your data last longer? ASUS WL-700gE Router – Download torrents with PC turned off @ tweaktown.com [Aug-21-06] (0 Comments) Putting all other MFDD’s to shame is the ASUS WL-700gE. Officially it’s a wireless router (because it’s got to be called something, but that’s like calling Arnold Schwarzenegger “that guy with all the muscles”. The truth is a lot more involved and complex. The ASUS WL-700gE is more like a combination of a wireless router/gateway and a thin client system, and the feature-set is rich, rich, rich. Read on and make awe-inspired gasping noises at all the appropriate places. SteelSeries SteelPad 5L Mouse Pad @ atruereview.com [Aug-11-06] (0 Comments) Attempting to combine the best from both styles, SteelSeries hascreated a mouse pad that goes way beyond the simple surface/baseconstruction. Their latest mouse pad, the SteelPad 5L, features five uniquelayers - each contributing a significant role - to creating the ultimatemouse pad experience. That sounds interestingly enough on paper, but justhow well does this five layer design work? Cooler Master eXtreme Power Duo 600W Power Supply @ thinkcomputers.org [Aug-03-06] (0 Comments) Unless you have been living under a rock (or dial-up) for the past few years you have most likely heard of Cooler Master.Cooler Master is well known in the DIY and enthusiast realms for combining great function with sleek, stylish looks. From cases tofans, to power supplies, Cooler Master seems to have done it all with case powering and cooling. Today we will be taking a look atthe Cooler Master eXtreme Power Duo 600W. Project LogiNoki Mod @ metku.net [Jul-25-06] (0 Comments) The mod that I'm about to show you is again somewhat different from the mainstream. For some reason I seem to like to work with computer mice and try to come up with different ways on making them... well, different. Combining unusual items together can produce very interesting results and hopefully you will find this little project of mine worth a read. Super Talent's 2.5" IDE Flash hard drive @ techreport.com [Jul-12-06] (0 Comments) IDE Flash hard driveIN AN ATTEMPT TO improve performance and extend battery life, mobile hard drive manufacturers are working on hybrid designs that combine flash mem ory with traditional platters. Flash memory's fast access times, low weig ht and power consumption, and lack of moving parts make it ideal for mobi le environments, which is perhaps why Microsoft has made hybrid drives a requirement for Windows Vista Premium certification starting in June of 2 007.Of course, the first hybrid hard drives aren't even expected to become av ailable until early next year. However, you don't have to wait six months to get flash memory in a 2.5 Saitek Pro Gamer Command Unit @ thinkcomputers.org [Jul-11-06] (0 Comments) With almost every PC game your keyboard and mouse is what you use to control the game. Sometimes your keyboard just doesn'tcut it. You have to reach far just to reload or change weapons. There are not enough keys that are close to program all your keysyou use in the game. Well Saitek has solved this problem with the Pro Gamer Command Unit. The Pro Gamer Command Unit combines thecontrols essential to First Person Shooter and Strategy games in one unit making them fast and easy to reach in the heat of battle. Logitech G15 Gaming Keyboard @ techpowerup.com [Jul-10-06] (0 Comments) Logitech has produced something every gamer needs. A keyboard with backlighting, usable in the dark. It will make the use of your World of Warcraft or Counterstrike key binds easy to use and out of the way. Even the LCD is useful, with sheer endless possibilities. Once again the quality and details of this input device is just what we have come to expect and love from Logitech - perfect in every aspect. Casion Exilim EX-Z60 Camera @ reviews.digitaltrends.com [Jun-16-06] (0 Comments) The Casio Exilim EX-Z60 is a great digital camera with a lot of features. For $249 you get 6-megapixels of fine photography power behind a sleek, thin silver casing. The quality you've come to expect from Casio is very apparent in the Exilim EX-Z60. Pictures can be previewed on its gigantic 2.5=94 LCD that is crisp, clear, and bright =96 a valuable asset to photographers. Combined with the EX-Z60's anti-shake DSP technology and BestShot configurations, you get a decent camera at a great price. Read on learn the positive and negative aspects about this offering from Casio. Nintendo DS Lite @ gideontech.com [Jun-16-06] (0 Comments) For this review, I'm going to cut to the chase a bit earlier. The Nintendo DS Lite is one beautiful piece of work. Since hearing about the DS, I've always wanted one. The DS offers games of a different calibre. If you are expecting games you'd play on the PS2 or XBox, you'll be in for quite a surprise. The DS caters to the mobile gamer who wants challenging unique games with a touch of Nintendo added. Combine all that in a sexier piece of hardware and you have something to talk about. Samsung MM-a900 @ reviews.digitaltrends.com [Jun-15-06] (0 Comments) When it first appeared, most folks dismissed the Samsung MM-A900 as a mere knock-off of the Motorola RAZR, the iPod of the cell phone world. Many people spoke to soon. While the broadband EV-DO-capable A900 (available from Sprint for $199.99 with a two-year contract), may lack the RAZR's iconic style and solid metallic feel, it is slightly superior in almost every other aspect. However, while both phones will turn heads, neither phone incorporates a removable memory option, which means that neither is a good choice if your interest is combining your phone with an MP3 player. Although, if you're considering either the A900 or the RAZR mainly to up your cell sartorial splendor, your choice may come down to which carrier you prefer. The RAZR is available from Verizon and Cingular and the A900 is only available from Sprint. Intel considers AMD and ATI merger likely @ tweaktown.com [Jun-08-06] (0 Comments) If you sit back and consider the facts for a minute, it all seems very logical. If the merger was to go ahead, it could affect ATI’s most direct competitor (nVidia) a lot - the merger would create a company who has the capacity to create good CPU’s, good chipsets and good GPU’s. By combining their resources, it opens things up for AMD and ATI to really take on Intel and nVidia in a big way and increase their market share in a range of different product segments. Intel considers AMD and ATI merger likely @ tweaktown.com [Jun-08-06] (0 Comments) If you sit back and consider the facts for a minute, it all seems very logical. If the merger was to go ahead, it could affect ATI’s most direct competitor (nVidia) a lot - the merger would create a company who has the capacity to create good CPU’s, good chipsets and good GPU’s. By combining their resources, it opens things up for AMD and ATI to really take on Intel and nVidia in a big way and increase their market share in a range of different product segments. Mobile Coverage @ pcper.com [Jun-08-06] (0 Comments) The graphics card is a unique part called the NVIDIA GeForce Go7400VX that Asus has specifically purchased from NVIDIA for this notebook.These 7400s are binned to run faster and will be clocked higher than other7400 Go models you'll see in laptops. The screen is a 15 Pirate Bay, Intel Core 2 Duo, and Dell's New XPS Systems @ podcasts.digitaltrends.com [Jun-05-06] (0 Comments) The big news of the week centers around the raid on The Pirate Bay, where Swedish officials confiscated the servers and equipment of a bit torrent site. Will they be back? Well, looks promising, but you'll have to go here and refresh until TPB sees the light of day once again. While you're waiting, check out the updated Intel roadmap. Chicago. You can get some of the best pizza in the world there. You can also get pulled over by a Segway riding cop. I've seen =91em, and yes, it is as awkward as you might expect. But if that isn't disturbing enough, take your faulty hard drive to Best Buy, so they can pawn it off at a flea market. Just remember to use Eraser first. Vonage had their IPO this week. Whew! What a stinker! AMD Announced Ultimate Enthusiast Platform - 4x4 @ pcper.com [Jun-02-06] (0 Comments) What you are seeing here is a dual-processor system board platform,each using dual-core processors for a total of four logical cores in asingle computer. Also included on this slide is the introduction ofdual-GPU video cards, similar to what we have seen in NVIDIA's Quad-SLItechnology. Two of these dual-GPU cards combined together in either SLI orCrossFire mode brings the four GPUs to the AMD Liveblogging Half Life 2:episode one @ bit-tech.net [Jun-02-06] (1 Comments) Erk, this is actually really scary and quite explicit. I'm making my way underground, and I'm taking on Combine zombies with headcrabs attached to them - as Alyx calls them, 'Zombines'. (Yeah, she's hilarious).There is an incredible amount of gore, and you're in pitch black save for your flashlight. The Zombines are pretty suicidal, running at you with grenades.I finally got a gun! Hurrah! Only two hours into the game. I've never been so happy to see a trusty pistol. Despite the horror gameplay, it's very much linear - run through this room, take out these guys, move onto the next room, wait for enemies to attack, take them out, flick switch to go into next room - I'm sticking with it because I'm praying for some storyline progression pretty soon. Sony Vaio UX Micro PC @ reviews.digitaltrends.com [Jun-02-06] (0 Comments) The Sony VAIO UX Micro PC weighs around 1.2 pounds and sports a 4.5-inch wide SVGA screen which uses the company's XBRITE technology to deliver brilliant color, crisp graphics and very fine details. The screen is also touch sensitive, usable with an integrated stylus and on-screen touch launcher for quick access to features and programs commonly used, such as games and Internet e-mail. Driving Sony's smallest PC is an Intel Core Solo Ultra Low Voltage processor and the Microsoft XP Professional operating system. This combination is joined by 512MB of 400MHz DDR2 SDRAM, an Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 with 128MB of dynamically allocated shared RAM/video memory and a 300GB 4200RPM ATA hard drive. The Antec P150 Quiet PC Case @ legitreviews.com [Jun-01-06] (0 Comments) The ~$115 Antec P150 can be found in the 'Performance One' series and is considered a 'quiet PC'. It comes with an Antec Neo HE - High Efficiency 430-Watt power supply, which has three twelve volt rails offering 32A on the combined +12V rail. This is not enough to run the latest SLI and CrossFire cards, but enough to run most of the current high end video cards. Microsoft Wireless Laser Desktop 6000 @ bigbruin.com [May-25-06] (0 Comments) Microsoft has come up with a great offering in the Wireless Laser Desktop 6000 Keyboard and Mouse set. With Geeks.com offering this combination at the bargain price of $56.99, anyone looking for a wireless desktop set up should give this one some serious consideration. Performance of both the mouse and keyboard were better than I had hoped for, and both maintained a strong signal no matter where in the room I used them from. The Wireless Laser 6000 mouse has also put to rest all of my apprehension over wireless mice in fast paced FPS video games. eBook Readers Ready for Consumers? @ xyzcomputing.com [May-25-06] (0 Comments) Why has producing a successful eBook reader been such a struggle=3F After all, much of the cost of a book goes into the printing and binding, so th ere seems to be huge incentives to lower production costs of each book. The challenges are numerous, but have come down to display design and the logistics behind the delivery of reading material. The expected release dates for some eBook readers is not far away. This is an exciting prospe ct and something which could have a large impact on the printing industry and the entire field of mobile products. This article is going to go ove r what we know about these products as well as what to expect from the nex t round of readers. Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5000 Laser @ bluetomorrow.com [May-19-06] (0 Comments) The Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5000 Laser truly is a revolutionaryBluetooth desktop combination. It is the perfect compliment to your modern PC.Unlike most keyboards, which can only send information to your PC, the MX 5000Cordless Keyboard also has the ability to receive and display information sentfrom your PC. The stylish keyboard offers an LCD panel, capable of displayingthe time and date, room temperature, song titles for music files, and variousother displays. Thermaltake Maxtrix VX Case @ xyzcomputing.com [May-05-06] (0 Comments) In the Matrix VX Thermaltake combines two segments which have been very i mportant to their success over the past few years- aluminum cases and LAN party cases. These two go together quite well- the light weight of alumi num makes it the ideal material for a case which is going to be brought to a LAN party and the small size means aluminum's comparative strength disa dvantage to steel is not a factor. At 3.8kg the Matrix VX is Thermalta ke's flyweight ATX enclosure. It is slick looking, equipped with the bas ics, and ready for some testing. AGEIA PhysX PPU Videos - Ghost Recon and Cell Factor @ pcper.com [May-03-06] (0 Comments) Our time with the Cell Factor demo showed what a true PhysX gamecould potentially look like, and it is impressive. The amount ofinteractivity shown in our videos is unrivaled in any other title out now orthat I have seen in development. Unfortunately, this puts developers in abind -- do they create a unique title like this and require a PhysX card toplay it, thus cutting out nearly all of their market initially, or do theystick to OCZ Platinum PC4000EB 2x1024mb kit @ eclipseoc.com [Apr-29-06] (0 Comments) We get a chance to look at one of OCZ's top performance 2x1gb ddr1kits, the Platinum 4000EB. OCZ has left a good impression on us, these modules donot change this:Good performance for a good price is always awinning combination. Mushkin, Inc. to Launch Power Supply Line @ legitreviews.com [Apr-25-06] (0 Comments) The XP-650 is labeled as a 650W power supply, but has a peak output of 700W. The power supply has a combined 12V rail of 44A, which is more than enough to support SLI and CrossFire platforms. The XP-650 has four separate 12V rails all of which can be combined to form a single power rail thanks to what Mushkin is calling RailFusion Technology. When RailFusion occurs the green LED light on the back of the power supply will turn on letting you and anyone else look at the back of your case that you are pulling some serious power. The Silverstone Temjin 5 @ News-Modders-Inc [Apr-18-06] (0 Comments) The Silverstone Temjin 5 is a hybrid combination of form andfunction. Taking a mini-server style steel chassis with aluminum wave stylefaceplate and combining it with a glossy enthusiast finish, Silverstoneoffers up the best of both worlds. Featuring lots of room for expansion, anacrylic side Window, Back lit blue front LCD with fan control, and a toolessdesign. This extended ATX case could be the perfect gaming rig, Overclockingrig or just your clans own mini-server. It's high quality finish and roomyinterior defy you to pin it to a category. Evesham FX-60 notebook @ bit-tech.net [Apr-12-06] (0 Comments) AMD's Athlon 64 X2 processors are not renowned for their good power consumption and heat output, meaning that they're not ideally suited for mobile use. However, Evesham has managed to cram AMD's fastest dual core behemoth, a GeForce Go 7800 GTX and a pair of 100GB hard drives running in RAID 0 in one of its Quest chassis'. This makes for an interesting combination, especially when the kind of hardware we're talking about is crammed into such a small space. The Booq Python XL Laptop Backpack @ legitreviews.com [Apr-12-06] (0 Comments) After looking at Booq’s line of bags and cases, we have found what we think is one of the best combinations of protection, style and overall features in the Python XL. For those of us who do quite a bit of traveling or even those of us who commute with a laptop everyday for work or for school, you will be hard-pressed to find a better laptop case on the market. Booq has done an exceptional job – some would say overkill – of giving consumers a high-end alternative to laptop carrying cases.... ELF File Format in Linux @ osweekly.com [Apr-11-06] (0 Comments) ELF (Executable and Linkable Format) is a standard file formatfor most executables, shared libraries and object codes. This format wasoriginally developed and published by USL (Unix System Laboratory) aspart of ABI (Application Binary Interface) and now it’s a widelyaccepted format in most UNIX variants. ASUS P5WD2-E Premium 975X Motherboard @ pro-clockers.com [Apr-10-06] (0 Comments) Improving on the P5WD2 with the Intel 955X chipset, Asus has releasedthe P5WD2-E Premium based on Intel's newest chipset the 975. Asus is knownthe world over for producing the best Intel based motherboards. Combiningstability with a lot of overclocking features made the older P5WD2 themotherboard to have with the newer Cedar Mills and Pressler processors. Wewill today see if the newer Premium can hold a candle to the older brother. Silverstone Temjin TJ08 Micro-ATX Tower Case @ pcper.com [Apr-10-06] (0 Comments) What you are going to see is a steel case with aluminum bezel thathouses two 120 mm quiet fans (both supplied with the case), that can handlejust about any combination of systems you can throw at it, be it a hot IntelPrescott or an AMD X2 dual core CPU and keep them cool and stable withoutany modifications required on your behalf. How To Crack Passwords - Digital Grabber News @ digitalgrabber.com [Apr-07-06] (0 Comments) One of the key components in performing a security assessment is theacquisition of user account information and cracking of the accountpassword. There are many methods and tools that can be used to crackpasswords, however, you must first retrieve the information to crack. Andonce again, there are many ways of acquiring the account information. Thisarticle will illustrate one method of acquiring user account informationusing a combination of social engineering and open source tools. We willthen briefly go over a particular cracking method and tool. Albatron 7300GS @ overclockersonline.com [Apr-07-06] (0 Comments) We can certainly see a card like this being suitable for those whouse their machine seldom for gaming. The simple heatsink fan combinationprovided great cooling with little noise and even allowed us to squeeze abit more out of the card through overclocking. Scythe S-Flex 120mm Quiet Fans @ pro-clockers.com [Apr-05-06] (0 Comments) There is nothing more important than having enough airflow insideyour computer. Cooling the internal components of your computer; video card,processor and drives are an absolute must. But the real problem is to findcooling fans that will allow you to keep your sanity is a task within itself. Quietness is a want that we all want these days. There are severalcases today that will house several 120mm cooling fans like the CoolermasterStacker and others, so a clever combination of fans has to be researched.Today, Scythe has sent us three of their newest fans from the S-Flex line. Alphacool Watercooling Starter Kit @ bit-tech.net [Mar-30-06] (0 Comments) The execution is very good albeit not free from flaws, however minor they may be. It is quite evident that the kit is literally assembled out of components available separately, to improve value and remove the confusion of starting to use water (what Radiator, fitting or tubing for example). If you are planning to use it in it's current state then we suggest you take a good look around before investing in it.If you are looking for the barebones for future upgrades then you couldn't go far wrong with the Alphacool Watercooling Starter Kit as its components can be easily interchanged or added to and quality is evident out of the box as soon as you lift the lid. Nikon Coolpix S3 6.4MP Digital Camera @ bonafidereviews.com [Mar-28-06] (0 Comments) Nikon’s Coolpix digital camera line has been well-regarded since its earliest days, and now includes a wide range of 17 models from entry-level to prosumer cameras. The Coolpix S3 fits in the middle of the range and is aimed at the user seeking style combined with ease of use. In the Coolpix S3, Nikon offers a subcompact design with great looks, a generous 6 megapixel imager, a 3X optical zoom lens, a large 2.5 inch LCD screen, and a feature set designed to make it easy to use, even for the beginner. Transcend T.sonic 310 MP3 Player @ xyzcomputing.com [Mar-28-06] (0 Comments) Most manufacturers of flash memory have made the easy jump into the flash MP3 player market. With the majority of the hardware already in place, it is usually just a matter of putting it all in a nice package, working o ut an interface, and keeping the price down. Transcend has done exactly that with their T.sonic line of flash MP3 players. This line mixes int eresting design with affordable prices, the combination of which should ma ke up for Transcend's lack of brand recognition and marketing clout. The T.sonic 310 is a player which is clearly based on the iPod Shuffle and is meant to compete with it. While price was its biggest advantage, the Shuffle's recent price drop (from $99 to $69 for the 512MB model and $149 to $99 for the 1GB model) could spell major trouble for this product AeroCool 620W Zerodba Power Supply @ legitreviews.com [Mar-25-06] (0 Comments) Besides the stability, another aspect of this PSU that really impresses me is the specifications. With a combined total of 38A supplied to the +12V rails, this PSU greatly surpasses the 30A requirement for a high-end SLi PC according to this page over at SLI-Zone! If you are building an ATI CrossFire system you will soon find out that ATI doesn't mention 12V Amp requirements on their certified site and only list two brands of power supplies that are in their voluntary program. We contacted ATI and they informed Legit Reviews that their X1900 CrossFire solution needs at least a 550W power supply with a 38A 12V rail, which means the AeroCool 620W power supply will again meet the requirements for both ATI and NVIDIA power requirements... Patriot PDC1G4800+XBLK 1024MB DDR-600 PC4800 Dual Channel @ pro-clockers.com [Mar-09-06] (0 Comments) Since the introduction of their DDR3200 XBLK line of memory, Patriothas been at the top of their game. Combining high FSB and low timings makeit a line of ram worth looking into. If you were to think some time back,you will probably remember that they were the first to release some ultraDDR2 with the PDC22G5600+XBLK. Now they are back at it with the 4800+XBLK. Detailed Look at Intel's Core Architecture @ pcper.com [Mar-09-06] (0 Comments) The ALU units were enhanced for this macro-fusion but are stillsingle dispatch and single cycle execution based. The ALUs can then performthe combined micro-op that actually represents two x86 instructions in asingle pass. The Core Architecture reads five instructions from theinstruction queue and if it finds a fuseable pair, they are combined andconverted to one micro-op. This means for that 5th instruction you get itdone one cycle earlier than you would have without the fusion process. Logitech Cordless Desktop MX5000 Laser @ overclockersonline.com [Mar-05-06] (0 Comments) All in all, Logitech has added yet another amazing product to theirline-up. The Logitech MX5000 Cordless Desktop Laser is sure to be a hit inthe Bluetooth input device industry, along with Logitech's own diNovo MediaDesktop Laser. It's only a matter of time before we see new Bluetoothkeyboard/mouse combinations from Logitech itself and its competitors. Arctic Cooling Alpine 64 Heatsink @ frostytech.com [Feb-28-06] (0 Comments) The Arctic Cooling Alpine 64 heatsink suspends its 2000RPM fan on four dual axial rubber vibration absorbing posts. The general purpose of which is to prevent fan motor vibrations from transferring to other areas of the computer chassis which could cause noise. The 90-ish millimeter fan minimizes turbulence and noise by essentially floating the impeller alone above the aluminum component. The whole package weighs in at just 486 grams, and judging by recent information the Arctic Cooling Alpine 64 should even be compatible with AMD socket AM2 heatsink retention frames... though we aren't 100% certain. Corsair DDR2 5400UL and 8000UL Memory @ pcper.com [Feb-28-06] (0 Comments) What we see above will obviously be the big draw to the Corsair XMS25400UL and 8000UL dual-channel kits. The overclocking results are a bitsurprising and is likely attributed to the combination of hardware andcooling I used in this review. These Corsair modules have a lot of potentialand should do well in an overclocker's setup. However, as we have seen in the testing, decreasing timings and increasingfrequency alone will not improve performance drastically. So if you'relooking into boosting performance, make sure you upgrade the right part. Altec Lansing inMotion iM716 Portable HD Audio System @ bonafidereviews.com [Feb-22-06] (0 Comments) Noise isolating earphones may seem like a simple idea; the combination of noise-blocking earplugs with earphones seems natural. However only recently has this idea been brought to the market by market leaders, Etymotic Research. Altec Lansing has collaborated with Etymotic to produce its own flavor of noise isolating earphones. Here’s how they stack up against Etymotic’s own offerings. Coolink SWiF very quiet and stylish computer fans . @ a1-electronics.net [Feb-10-06] (0 Comments) As said, we like these Coolink fans not only from the stylish colour combination but also from the performance to noise point. NZXT Lexa Case @ xyzcomputing.com [Jan-30-06] (0 Comments) Although NZXT is still a new company, they have made a name for their sel f, by creating innovative, uniquely styled cases which are different from the competition. Their current series of cases is called the Classic Ser ies from which we will be looking at the Lexa. With a combination of gre at cooling and an emphasis on symmetry, to makes things less complicated y et very elegant, the Lexa clearly stands out from the crowd. AC Ryan Backy @ thinkcomputers.org [Jan-28-06] (0 Comments) If you are a modder you already know about AC Ryan, or you certainly should. AC Ryan is one of the leaders in moddingsupplies, with everything from Cold Cathode lights, fans, modding mesh, plastics and tons of great doohickeys that help make any modjust that much cooler. So it's no surprise that they have just the right gadgets to make modding easier. Such is the case with theBacky. The concept is fairly simple and straight-forward, it's been done before but not with so many flavors and combinations as ACRyan provides. The item I am reviewing here is a back plate device that brings your molex power connector, 2 pin power connector andSATA power connector to the outside of your case so you can plug in your devices without having to crack the case to do so. ECS PF5 Extreme @ techpowerup.com [Jan-24-06] (0 Comments) >From a feature perspective ECS offers a very well rounded board with the PF5 Extreme. Having one Gigabit and one Fast Ethernet port is exactly the combination which I think is a good compromise between speed and price. Getting six SATA ports and two PCI-E x16 ports for around $120 is also very nice. However, if you are looking into overclocking more than just a little bit this board might not for you. It has quite a few issues when it comes to overclocking. UFO Aftershock PC Game @ thinkcomputers.org [Jan-21-06] (0 Comments) Science Fiction, probably one of the most popular themes of video games, in the past and most likely in the future as well,combine that with strategy role playing games and you have the makings of something great. UFO Aftershock is the sequel to UFOAftermath from Cenega. I have to be honest I never played Aftermath, but you don't have to in order to play Aftershock. I do enjoystrategy games and the C&C series is one of my all time favorites, I also enjoy RPG games as well. Aftershock combines both of thoseinto one great game. Bigbruin.com : Thermalright V1 Ultra VGA Cooler @ bigbruin.com [Jan-04-06] (0 Comments) Silence is golden, except when it is a nickel plated combination of copper and aluminum, as in the case of the Thermalright V1 Ultra VGA Cooler. It was unfortunate the fan intended to be used on the V1 Ultra interfered with the system's CPU cooler, but the performance was still quite impressive. Head to head with a VGA cooler designed to be passive, the fanless V1 Ultra came out the winner in thermal testing. OCZ EL DDR PC-3200 Dual Channel Platinum Rev 2 @ pro-clockers.com [Dec-29-05] (0 Comments) OCZ isn't a newcomer to the overclocking world. Nor were they thefirst to discover this world either. But sent there move into the enthusiastmarket, they have been pretty much at the top. OCZ was one of the first rammanufacturers to make the legendary Winbond BH-5 what it was. Then theyintroduced us to the Samsung TCCD chips. Which gave us tighter timing whileclimbing to an unbelievable higher frequency. This leads us right to the ELPlatinum DDR 3200. Steganos Security Suite 2006 @ techgage.com [Dec-15-05] (0 Comments) Steganos cares about your computer security, and offersa completesuite to make sure you are kept safe. It combines 10 security toolstogether into one massive package, and we are going to take a look atwhat's available and see if it's worth your money. Nespresso Essenza C90 Espresso Maker @ xyzcomputing.com [Dec-10-05] (0 Comments) This review is going to be taking a look at Nespresso's Essenza C90 espre sso maker. This machine combines two of the things I love most in the wo rld:quick access to a heavily caffeinated beverage and great design. Th e C90 is one of Nespresso's entry level models and its feature's are limit ed, but it can still make a great cup of espresso, so it is certainly wort h a few moments of our time. Tracing trends in multiplayer FPS @ bit-tech.net [Dec-08-05] (0 Comments) I would argue that another characteristic of an arcade shooter is that the use of tactics is very different from something like an out- and-out tactical shooter. Playing CS or Ghost Recon, tactics become a matter of team organisation, intimate map knowledge and pre-planning of a battle plan. Those concepts play a small roll in arcade shooters, but tactics here revolve more around weapon strategy, as well as domination of key items and areas. With CS, your weapons are a given - there is no tactical advantage to be had from dominating an item on the map. In Quake, the player who spends the most time with the rocket launcher on a small, enclosed map will have a big advantage. Likewise, the ability to consistently nail the Railgun on The Longest Yard (combined with hours of pixel-perfecting practice) will yield the tactical advantage. OCZ Rally Drives @ overclockersonline.com [Dec-02-05] (0 Comments) I've now had these two units for about a month, the ability to drophalf a DVD's worth of content on to the drive in a few minutes is great. TheRally drive's small form makes carrying the unit a breeze. While it'scertainly possible to find smaller thumb drives, going any smaller bringsthe risk of breaking the unit or simply losing it. I find the Rally drive tobe the perfect size for me to clip onto my carabineer and keys withoutadding too much weight. The only thing I've noticed after a month of use isthat the black paint on the Rally drive eventually does scratch off. Whileit doesn't affect performance, those who care about aesthetics will want tobe a bit more careful and avoid leaving the drive in a pocketful of keys andcoins; eventually you'd be left with a logo-less aluminum casing. :e-GeForce 7800 GTX BlackPearl 512MB - Full @ hexus.net [Nov-30-05] (0 Comments) The EVGA e-GeForce 7800 GTX BlackPearl 512MB is faster out ofthe box than the XFX, overclocks further and does it all quieter,cooled by a decent and easy-to-fit watercooling kit. The choice offittings and tubing diameters means that it should be an easyintegration into an existing watercooling setup, too. So what's notto like, from what's current the fastest retail consumer graphicscard on the planet? Bigbruin.com : Nu Tech Dark Shadow 256MB MP3 Sunglasses @ bigbruin.com [Nov-30-05] (0 Comments) Nu Tech has combined one of the most popular technology items of tod ay, an MP3 player, with something many of us use every day, a pair of sungl asses. I am the first to admit I am a sucker for any tool or gadget that tries to combine more than one use or function into a single item, but I al so have learned from experience that many times such items fail to perform well at any of the tasks they were designed to do. Oakley Thump 2 MP3 Sunglasses @ thetechlounge.com [Nov-24-05] (0 Comments) From California -- Lil’ John’s Thump sunglasses have been combined withArnold Schwartzenegars Terminator shades in Oakley’s sequel of theiroriginal smash hit of MP3 playing eyeware in Thump 2, Revenge of theThump. The latest version of the Oakley Thump not only sports a sleeknew look, but also offers improved storage capacities up to onegigabyte. But if you read my review of the original Thump sunglasses,you may recall that they didn’t come cheap and it doesn’t look like thathas changed. The 256 MB version of the Thump 2 has a MSRP of $299 andthe price can climb all the way up to $449 for the full gigabyte ofstorage. We shall see if the Thump 2 can meet and/or exceed the originalor if will it fall short like most sequels. VIA K8T900 Chipset P @ pcper.com [Nov-22-05] (0 Comments) It had been a long time since we heard from VIA in the realm ofhigh-end chipsets but it looks like the K8T900/VT8251 combination mightfinally be a worthy competitor to the NVIDIA dominated AMD market. With alittle luck (and a nod from the SLI and CrossFire departments) we'll beseeing K8T900 boards for sale before Christmas and some retail reviews hereon PC Perspective. Evercool Neon Crab & Spider Fan Filter @ techniz.co.uk [Nov-22-05] (0 Comments) This time, Evercool is producing a very innovative and require by most o fthe computer lovers especially those who like to overclock their rig. TheNeon Crab memory cooler is design to cool down the memory modules with th emost effective way which is having the fan that blow directly to themodules. Not only that, the memory cooler itself is built in with two LEDfan and a multi-color flashing LED on the Crab eyes. By having a memorycooler like this, you can have more room to overclock to a higherfrequency of your memory modules without any worries.As for the Spider Fan Filter, it was specially design to protect yourchassis to getting more and more dust into it. The Spider Fan is apowerful and quiet fan; combine with the fan filter, it almost able toprevent the dust to go into the chassis. ATI All-In-Wonder X1800 XL @ viperlair.com [Nov-21-05] (0 Comments) The ATI All-In-Wonder X1800 XL isn't all about games of course, and the main selling point really is the X1800 XL combined with the myriad of multimedia features put into the product. Simply put, nobody from NVIDIA, Hauppage, Matrox, S3 or anywhere offers anything close to what the AIW family, let alone the AIW X1800 XL can offer. "A Digital Photography Odyssey, Volume 1:The Digital Lens" @ xyzcomputing.com [Nov-18-05] (0 Comments) In this article, readers can take a look at digital photography from a un ique perspective which combines the theoretical, the practical, and the po int of view of the real-world consumer. All at once it is possible to le arn tips, tricks, how to shop, and answer the question =93why=3F=94. Vol ume 1, =93The Digital Lens,=94 focuses on certain elements of digital sin gle-lens reflex (DSLR) photography with helpful example photos and illustr ations. It is a really informative article which explains how digital ph otography has not yet lost the metaphor of film. BTC 6301URF Low Profile Keyboard & Optical Mouse Combo @ techniz.co.uk [Nov-11-05] (0 Comments) The BTC 6301URF low profile keyboard and optical mouse combo is a combokit for the wireless keyboard and mouse. The 6301URF low profile keyboardand optical mouse combo are sure to be among the most stylish available!The slim and clean styled design is finished in an elegant silver colorand features improved usability piano-style hotkeys. The convenienthotkeys allow the user to easily and intuitively adjust to audio volume,navigate the internet, start e-mail or put the system to sleep.Furthermore, this combo was bundle with the battery for operate thekeyboard and mouse. If you are looking for quality keyboard and mousecombo that combines fantastic design with great features and highusability, then the 6301URF is the one to choose!. Cooler Master AquaGate Mini R120 @ overclockers.com.au [Nov-10-05] (0 Comments) ----No filling is required as the unit comes pre-filled. No cutting lengths of tubing either, it's pre-assembled. No fancy sensors or fiddly power connectors are required either, with the whole unit driven from a single 3-pin-fan connector, like a conventional heatsink's fan. If the performance of this unit is up to par, you'd have to say it's a compelling way to get liquid-cooling to the masses.---- New @ moditory.com [Nov-06-05] (0 Comments) Func Industries has been known to release great gaming pads withtheir signature dual-sided surfaces. Going at it again with the releaseof their new Archetype, Func has combined their dual sided surface with amore affordable base component (aluminum is available however) and someextra room to make their newest gaming pad, the sUrface 1030 Archetype.Can it stand up to some serious gaming and universal application use? orare you better off using a coffee coaster? Lets find out. Antec Phantom 500W Hybrid Fan PSU @ pcper.com [Oct-31-05] (0 Comments) Antec has increased the output capacity of the new Phantom 500 to500 watts of combined, continuous power by adding a variable-speed fan withthree user selectable temperature profiles. The hybrid fan technologyenables the Phantom 500 power supply to run in silent (fan-less) mode mostof the time. The Antec Phantom 500 power supply should be of particularinterest to users requiring near silent operation while being capable ofdelivering above average output power. All of the outputs were stable andwell regulated across a wide range of loads and the Phantom 500 proved to beone of the most efficient power supplies I have tested to date. X-Ray Aqua2 Series Professional Mouse Pad @ techniz.co.uk [Oct-18-05] (0 Comments) The Aqua2=99 series is a great and professional mouse pad for any PCenthusiast and even office users. Whether it is for gaming, designing, orgeneral computer tasks, this mouse pad is an ideal choice. The surface isamazingly fast and accurate. And the base was a non slip base. It wasworking excellent for optical mouse. With the combination of theZerofriction Infinity=99 mouseskates, it will even more smooth and accura tewith any mouse moving over the Aqua2=99 professional mouse pad. SwissBit Victorinox retroALOX 1GB @ thinkcomputers.org [Oct-11-05] (0 Comments) What do you get when a company that makes fine quality utility knives and a company that makes memory products? You get asophisticated and sleek next generation tool for the 21st century. What I am talking about is the retroALOX, created when Victorinoxthe famous makers of Swiss Army Knives and Swissbit, a maker of quality memory products collaborate together. The retroALOX is theculmination of history and the future combined. :Foxconn 6150K8MA-8EKRS Mainboard @ hexus.net [Oct-08-05] (0 Comments) The Foxconn C51GK8MA, priced at around =A365 in the retailchannel, offers the ideal combination of GeForce 6150 IGP and nForce4430 southbridge in a microATX-sized form-factor. Board layout and BIOSoptions were both surprisingly good, and the latter was a real bonusfor a form-factor that usually is bereft of any tweaking abilitywhatsoever. Imation Disk Stakka @ xyzcomputing.com [Oct-07-05] (0 Comments) Enter Imation. Their shockingly lightweight Disc Stakka, which stylisti cally resembles something like a restaurant booster chair for toddlers, is designed to rid me and the rest of the world of our optical backup woes. Despite Playskool styling, the Disc Stakka seems to bring a lot to the ta ble. In brief, the Disc Stakka is a combination jukebox, Lazy Susan, and databased storage-solution. Its internal (and inaccessible) carousel ho lds 100 five-inch optical discs (sorry, no mini-CDs for you). The slot-l oading mechanism up front is merely a loading bay; there is no drive or op tics present in this device whatsoever. :ATI Radeon X1800 XT P @ hexus.net [Oct-05-05] (0 Comments) The performance - where we see massive gains in F.E.A.R.,sizable improvements in Far Cry and Splinter Cell:CT, and consistentCPU-bound performance to match 7800 GTX in mostly everything else - isundoubtedly mighty. Combine that with the image quality improvementsand output connectivity available from the X1800 XT in terms ofAvivo, the 6x AA carried over from R480 now with less performancehit, adaptive AA for improving alpha textures and rotation invariantanistropic texture filtering for basic excellent texture IQ, and youhave a compelling consumer graphics product that almost demands youpurchase it as soon as possible. ATI's considerable investment in aclockable new architecture on 90nm low-k has certainly paid off,despite well documented delays. Well worth the wait. Logitech Cordless Desktop MX3000 Laser @ aselabs.com [Sep-28-05] (0 Comments) In my opinion, Logitech makes the best input devices, period. They pioneered both desktop laser mice and wireless mice, paving the way for the amazing MX1000 to come to fruition. Unfortunately, the MX mouse series is rather expensive and the MX3100 isn't exactly easy on the wallet, either. Finally, there is an affordable, cost-effective solution:the MX3000 Laser Combo. This nice kit combines the MX3000 keyboard with the MX600 Laser mouse. Plextor PX-740A internal DVD/CD rewriter drive . @ a1-electronics.net [Sep-28-05] (0 Comments) We have found Plextor drives to give very reliable service over all the years we have been using them and see no reason so far to suggest that this Plextor PX-740A DVD/CD rewriter drive will be any different. With prices as low as they are now has got to be the time to upgrade your computer to this new combination PX-740A DVD & CD rewriter drive. Danger Den RBXA64 & Maze4 Chipset Water Block @ techniz.co.uk [Sep-25-05] (0 Comments) The RBXA64 and Maze4 Chipset water block from the DangerDen was anexcellent combination of CPU and NB cooling. Both of them had performedexcellently during our testing. The installation was very easy and it onl ytook me about 15 minutes to install both of the RBXA64 and Maze4 Chipsetwater block onto the motherboard. Besides that, both of them had a greatstylish looking and will make your rig looks more cool with these blocks. Cooler Master Cooldrive 4 '' @ aselabs.com [Sep-22-05] (0 Comments) It may seem like most modding accessories today provide more form over function, but there are some products that try to give an actual sense of usability while adding something superfluous at the same time. A fanbus is an extremely useful accessory if you have a case with many fans, or just want to quiet down your louder fans when not stressing the system. The Cooler Master Cooldrive 4 combines temperature readings, a fanbus controller, and a nice LCD display. It is the quality control that isn't up to the task in this company. Thermaltake AquaBay M3 water reservoir . @ a1-electronics.net [Sep-19-05] (0 Comments) As this AquaBay M3 will connect up to just about any pipe size it is universal for all water cooled heatsinks systems on the market and as you can see in our example it would only be a five minute job to install this reservoir. We found that you can fit 10mm tubing to the standard small pipe fittings.We are going to award this our Editors Top Choice for a water cooled heatsink system reservoir as it is the best we have seen. :3-way i955x motherboard shootout @ hexus.net [Sep-16-05] (0 Comments) What makes a good i955X motherboard? From what we've seen inthis review, it's a combination adding a number of useful discretefeatures to boost a i955X-equipped motherboard to deluxe standard.All three motherboards here carry additional SATA support fromSilicon Image, FireWire800 connectivity, and in the case of the ABITAW8-MAX and Gigabyte Royal boards, dual PCIe Gigabit LAN ASICs fromBroadcom. Both also add in enthusiast-specific features, with ABITopting for heatpipe northbridge cooling and Gigabyte running with apotential 8-phase power supply. MGE Magnum 500W Power Supply @ gotapex.com [Sep-13-05] (0 Comments) The Magnum 500w power supply propels MGE into a market they haven't beenbefore, highest end PSUs. Their newest offering presents many of the bestattributes on the market and then adds a few others to top it off. Therehave been silent power supplies before from companies such as PC Power andCooling or Antec, but none have taken it to the level that MGE has, a fullsize copper heatpipe. This alone will extend the life of the PSU, heat isone of the primary killers of computer parts. Combine that with a decent fanto provide some ventilation and airflow and you have a killer combination. Thanks, and have a great day! Logitech MX 3000 Cordless Desktop @ thinkcomputers.org [Sep-10-05] (0 Comments) Logitech, I'm sure all of you out there have heard of them. Well today we will be looking at one of their latest offerings,the MX 3000 Laser. This combines the ease of use of a cordless mouse, with world-class comfort of their Zero-Degree Tilt keyboarddesign. This keyboard has so many great features that normal keyboard's do not have. Some of them you might even miss, so let's getinto this review to check them all out! Putting together a system for Media Center @ bit-tech.net [Sep-06-05] (0 Comments) The software is now available, legally, to buy OEM. This makes it accessible to self-builders for the first time - but the path to a fully functioning Media Centre PC is a fraught one.The hardware supported by WMCE is very limited, and some hardware requires specific drivers or driver revisions. Some hardware combinations don't work well, regardless of the hardware. How do you get it all to be quiet enough to stick under your TV? Thermaltake AquaBay M1 water reservoir & flow indicator @ a1-electronics.net [Sep-05-05] (0 Comments) Its well done Thermaltake for this handy combined AquaBay M1 reservoir and flow indicator for small & medium heatsink pipe systems. You can easily use the 10/12mm pipe adapters in the kit. We found that 10mm tubing will fit on the standard smaller fittings. So no need to install the larger ones in the Thermaltake AquaBay M1 kit. ThermalTake Xray @ aselabs.com [Sep-01-05] (0 Comments) Thermaltake makes some excellent cooling and power supply products as well as cases and modding supplies. I have used my PurePower 480W PSU since I have reviewed it and have not had a single problem. Thermaltake also makes generic additions to add some flair to your case. The Xray combines a cigarette lighter and a cup holder that fits into your 5.25 Tonkputer 'Cow in a churn' mod @ bit-tech.net [Aug-26-05] (0 Comments) The first step was to cut two holes in the main body:one for the window in the front, and a smaller slot in the back for the rear ATX motherboard connectors. Cutting straight lines on curved surfaces can be tricky, but use the old rule of measure twice; cut once, make sure your piece is held down with a vice, or an assistant, and use a steady hand.In this instance, I used a combination of angle grinder, jigsaw, Dremel, and iron saw to make these cuts. I use a file to smooth the edges for a neater finish, and so I wouldn't cut myself. HEC WinPower Win 550UB PSU @ pcstats.com [Aug-25-05] (0 Comments) For this review of the HEC WinPower 550UB (HEC-550TW-TF) 550W powersupply, we'll be applying a couple of tests you can reproduce at home with available equipment, all with an eye towards seeing how this unit generally performs. The HEC Win550UB powersupply is rated to a peak of 550W power and features dual 12V lines with a combined output capabilities of 35A. The WIN 550UB adheres to the ATX 2.01 standard, but is compatible with 20-pin ATX motherboards. Jetart NP6900 Folding Notebook Cooler @ 3dvelocity.com [Aug-23-05] (0 Comments) Even the cheapest notebooks now come with USB2.0 and at the least a DVDROM/CDRW combo drive. This, combined with ever increasing hard drive capacities, now over 100GB, and more exotic features like WiFi, high resolution screens, powerful accelerated graphics and much more, has all served to relegate them from poor relations to the desktop PC to viable and powerful computing platforms in their own right. Func F-Series Mousepads @ moditory.com [Aug-23-05] (0 Comments) Mousepads are overlooked. A lot of people think that moreexpensive mousepads are just elevated in price for no good reason orthey've got lights, whistles, and other things to entertain the idle mind.We're just here to tell you that their wrong. In fact, more mousepadstoday cost more because they use better materials and are optimized forexcellent tracking. Func Industries new F-Series Competition MousingSurface combines a smooth texture and a grain texture with two sizes (11 Bigbruin.com Article:Windows Keyboard Shortcuts @ bigbruin.com [Aug-22-05] (0 Comments) Windows keyboard shortcuts are all intended to provide some sort of convenient alternative to common tasks, and whether specific combinations do so is up to the individual to decide. Some are simple time-saving motions, while others are complex maneuvers in finger gymnastics. There are dozens of other common Windows shortcuts (and even more related to specific software titles), and memorizing just a few of the more basic ones may be worth the time-savings they can afford you. Spire SP503S0-1 air cooler heatsink . @ a1-electronics.net [Aug-18-05] (0 Comments) The Spire SP503S0-1 is not designed to be the highest performance air cooler heatsink as it is made using aluminium but with the use off a copper insert gives a light weight combination with acceptable cooling performance. Optorite ML100 Laser Mouse @ atruereview.com [Aug-15-05] (0 Comments) Up until now, there have been two paths for increasing performanceof an optical computer mouse. One path has been to replace the traditionalLED tracking setup with a laser tracking system. This, in turn, provides amore reliable optical tracking as laser tracking is substantially moreaccurate than LED tracking. The other path to increasing optical mouseperformance has been to keep the LED but raise the DPI (dots per inch)count of the optical sensor. The higher the DPI count, the more sensitivethe mouse becomes. While both techniques improve optical mouse performance,no company has decided to combine the two – until now. Introducing theOptorite ML100 laser mouse, the first mouse ever to feature both a lasertracking system and a 1600 DPI sensor. The specifications sound good onpaper but how well does the ML100 perform? Read on and find out. Guide To Understanding and Creating Batch Files @ pcstats.com [Aug-12-05] (0 Comments) At their simplest, batch files are text files which execute one or more command prompt commands in a specific order. The power of a batch file lies in the way that it allows you to combine multiple commands into one batch file ' program' and customize the way that each command operates. In this article PCSTATS will illustrate what batch files are good for and how to create them. By creating a useful series of batch files designed to allow you to selectively back up files from one location to another, we'll demonstrate the ways that batch files can make your computing life easier while you learn the various option involved in creating them. Bigbruin.com :HEC Group 6C28 ATX PC Case @ bigbruin.com [Aug-09-05] (0 Comments) Compucase may not be the first name you think of when shopping for a case, but as the US source for HEC Group cases, they may be worth consideration the next time you want to find a new home for your system. Today we are taking a look at the HEC Group 6C28 ATX PC Case. The case is a mid tower model that combines a good mix of looks, features and functionality, even if the name leaves a lot to be desired. Gigabytes and Gibibytes - What you need to know @ hexus.net [Aug-05-05] (0 Comments) When talking about a binary number like computer memory or processor cache, where the memory is made up of a series of memory cells that hold single bits of information, the number of memory cells is always power of 2. For instance, 1024 bits of memory, what you'd likely usually call a kilobit, is 2^10 bits. However, kilo is a prefix for base-10 or decimal numbers, so it doesn't actually apply to that figure when it's a representation of a binary number. The correct prefix is instead kibi, so 1024 bits is really a kibibit. G.Skill F1-4400DSU2-1GBFC Memory @ pureoverclock.com [Aug-03-05] (0 Comments) TCC5 is not a brand new replacement for TCCD, it is simply the samechip speed binned to DDR466 instead of DDR500 and has been available for aslong as TCCD. The performance of your TCC5 product now relies heavily on thebinning process used by the memory manufacturers (OCZ, Corsair, G.Skill etc)but if they do a good job you should get identical performance to currentTCCD. Thermaltake Volcano 4005 Heat Exchanger @ techniz.co.uk [Aug-02-05] (0 Comments) This Volcano 4005 Heat Exchanger from Thermaltake is one of the best CPUcooling, the cooler itself combines the air and water cooling together andgive an excellent cooling performance to the CPU. It was also totallyfanless CPU cooling solution unless an optional fan had been installed toit. By using this cooler, you might also need a good pump in order to makesure the water flow is able to get through all the loops in the cooler.The Volcano 4005 Heat Exchanger is also support the Intel P4 ( Socket 478), P4 LGA 775, AMD K8 and K7 platforms of CPU cooling. The only bad thingfrom this cooler is the weight which is consider a heavy weight CPUcooler. But, it might not be a big problem as long as having a properinstallation of it. Spire SP495S11-U QuieTude VI air cooler heatsink . @ a1-electronics.net [Jul-28-05] (0 Comments) Looking at our graph we can see that this Spire SP495S11-U with its combination of aluminium construction with a copper insert gives ideal cooling performance at our 70 and holds its own at our 115 watts test, while our The joys of redundancy:XFX's Revo 64 @ hexus.net [Jul-21-05] (0 Comments) If you need high data rates and really don't need the hassle of downtime thanks to a dead hard drive, RAID is your answer. If you want efficient usage of disk space, you're going to need an add-in card for a decent solution. If you want to combine all that with low CPU usage and ease of use, then the XFX Revo 64 is the card for you. HEC Power Supplies @ thinkcomputers.org [Jul-17-05] (0 Comments) More Power supplies! Today I have 2 Power Supplies (psu) from HECGroup (High-Quality Evolution Commitment). These psus are some of the bigboys on the block coming in at 550watts and 580watts. We decided to do thisas a combined review so our readers wouldn't have to re-read the same thingagain in a second HEC review. I had to do some research on the internet tofind some more info on this brand of psu, because I never heard of them,what I found is interesting; the reviews I read were excellent. HEC receivedtop scores in all categories, I also found that they are pretty big inEurope and not that well known here, could be why I never heard of them.Well anyway I have the WINPower 550watt and the AcePower 580watt psu's forreview. They are essentially the same with some cosmetic differences andwattages of course. PimpRig's 2005 Anniversary GiveAway @ pimprig.net [Jul-03-05] (0 Comments) Well, we are still standing after 4 years... Better than still standing as a matter of fact! Thriving! First, let me say hello and thank you for making PimpRig.com what it is today. Our visitors and members are what make us who we are. I won't gush any sentiments or attempt to wax philosophical about the journey leading up to today. I have done that before and it has been done ad nauseum in the PimpRig Forums. No, instead I will cut to the chase... Cooler Master Hyper 6+ Heatsink @ pcper.com [Jun-29-05] (0 Comments) Cooler Master has again combined brute size with innovativeengineering to produce a HSF that can deliver good performance with minimalnoise. The copper base, six heat pipes and large fin surface area excel attransferring heat and keeping the CPU cool. The Hyper 6+ fit and finish isexcellent as we have come to expect from Cooler Master. The addition ofblue LED's to the clear fan frame is also a nice aesthetic touch. EPoX EP-9NPA+ SLI Motherboard @ hexus.net [Jun-27-05] (0 Comments) EPoX, with its EP-9NPA+ SLI, has taken onboard the chipset'sattributes and added in discrete SATA (PCI-Express, which is nice)and FireWire400. What's also appealing is the voltage manipulationavailable in BIOS. Enthusiasts will be happy to see 3v+ DDR and up to1.85v available for the CPU. The chipset, BIOS, and featuresimplementation combine to make the 9NPA+ SLI a reasonably attractiveproposition. Priced at around =A3105, the 9NPA+ SLI matches othermanufacturers' similarly priced efforts in both features andperformance, making it worthy of consideration if you want a fast,stable board that should overclock to 300MHz HTT and beyond. AeroCool Turbine Power 550 PSU @ viperlair.com [Jun-21-05] (0 Comments) AeroCool has brought to market a short list power supply with the Turbine Power 550. It is an efficient solution that can drive most anything you have to throw at it. There is ample power, connectors and separation of 12V rails to alleviate headaches on high end water coolers and the like. Their design plays nice with your customizations, no matter the level, without taking over as the centerpiece of your hard work. PDP DDR2 1GB PC2-5600 +XBLK @ overclockersonline.com [Jun-21-05] (0 Comments) I can say that I'd recommend this memory to people looking for fast, stable, and high performing memory. Most users, with current chipsets won't find this memory or any other DDR2 we've looked at so far to limit their system overclocks. In fact, without some frustrating trial and error it's proving difficult to find the right combination. Watercooling Kit Contest - Runs Only 1 Week @ insanetek.com [Jun-21-05] (0 Comments) This is part 3 of InsaneTek's 1 year anniversary contest. The prize is a complete kit of watercooling parts:1 Swiftech MCW6000 CPU waterblock (hand painted black by Randy)1 DangerDen Maze4 GPU waterblock (originally black)1 Black Black Ice Pro 120mm radiator (originally black)1 MCP350 pump1 MCRES-525 reservoirand some black Tygon tubing. yes it's originally black and not painted. thing is, it's been cut to accommodate the use of a dfiultra-d. Dell Inspiron XPS Gen 2 Laptop @ hexus.net [Jun-17-05] (0 Comments) The chosen combination of Pentium M 770 and GeForce 6800 GoUltra 256MB make for, without doubt, the fastest gaming laptop everto grace HEXUS Labs, and I keep repeating this, ad nauseum, but it'sjust so damn quiet. The screen's pretty sharp, the keyboard's aboveaverage, and the chassis looks pretty cool. With the =A32099 askingprice and gamers in mind, I'd urge Dell to pre-configure a model witha 7,200RPM hard drive for faster loading and, perhaps, look into abetter base warranty. Other than that, though, I'm struggling to findbad points about it without resorting to nitpicking. Bigbruin.com :Titan Bianca CPU Water Cooler @ bigbruin.com [Jun-13-05] (0 Comments) To make water cooling a little more bearable Titan has simplified things by combining the radiator, fan, reservoir, and pump into one assembly=2E Unlike many other water cooling systems this unit is designed to sit atop your computer tower=2E This feature allows you to keep the inside of your case clean while allowing you to operate a variable speed fan controller and refill the cooling reservoir if necessary=2E Corsair COOL Water Cooling Kit @ pcper.com [Jun-06-05] (0 Comments) Under normal circumstances I would have given the COOL Water CoolingKit from Corsair high marks. It did an excellent job of cooling the Athlon64 3200+ processor with minimal noise and was very user-friendly and easy tosetup and install. Corsair attempted to select a combination of the bestcomponents available based on performance and reliability. It isunfortunate that an issue with the DDC pump had to tarnish this otherwiseenjoyable review experience. Arctic Cooling Ati Silencer 5- rev 2 @ xtremecomputing.co.uk [Jun-06-05] (0 Comments) The design of the fan is like a turbine (but lets hope without the noise) but forces the air over the block and out of the rear. This of coarse means this cooler takes up 2 pci slots, the backing plate is included in the packaging and is just screwed into the backplate on its own without having to attach it to the cooler. Another feature that was nice to see was the fan connector cable, this is were the Arctic cooling silencer scores another plus point buy having the OEM fan plug rather than a traditional 3 pin with a four pin adaptor. Linksys Phone Adapter PAP2 Review @ thetechzone.com [May-10-05] (0 Comments) The New Linksys Phone Adapter, combined with a subscription to a specific VoIP service plan, turns your existing Internet connection into a high-quality phone line for placing and receiving phone calls. The phone adapter comes equipped with two standard phone ports (RJ-11) and one Ethernet port (RJ-45). Users connect their existing cordless or stationary phones or a fax machine to the phone adapter; connect the phone adapter to a router or gateway via the Ethernet port. Each phone jack operates independently, with separate phone service and phone numbers. It's just like having two phone lines. ThermalRight SI-97 review @ HWzone.co.il [May-01-05] (0 Comments) ThermalRight is one of the most known and respected companies in the field of air cooling, thanks to its many excellent products that display cooling performance almost on par with water cooling systems. In the past few years, ThermalRight has released several successful series of coolers, some based on copper, some on aluminium and some combined both - the guiding purpose was to find the combination that would provide the best results. A few moths ago, ThermalRight released their new product series, called "SI", which is supposed to offer better performance and ease-of-use than the SP. In this review we will compare ThermalRight's SI-97 heatsink with several competing coolers (including its predecessor, the SP-97), in order to see if ThermalRight truly managed to outdo themselves. palmOne Treo 650 Smartphone Review at XYZ Computing @ xyzcomputing.com [Apr-29-05] (0 Comments) The Treo 650 is 4.4" x 2.3" x 0.9 and weighs 6.3 ounces. This means it is a good deal larger than your average cell phone and a bit bulkier than your average PDA. The Treo 650 also incorporates a VGA digital camera into the mix, a feature which many cell phones are beginning to adopt. The beauty of the 650 is that it is able to combine the attributes of all three into a single device. The problem here is that the smartphone becomes a proverbial "jack-of-all-trades" and we want to make sure it can do each task at least close to as well as a single-task unit, like the phone, camera, or PDA which you are giving up. Of course the smartphones cannot be expected to do each job as well as a product which was designed for that sole purpose, but if the sacrifice is too great the smartphone is just not going to be worth it. XTracPads Hybrid Mouse Pad Review @ thetechzone.com [Apr-20-05] (0 Comments) If you want the absolute best mouse performance possible then you must match your mouse with a high performance mouse pad. And there is no mouse pad better than the new Hybrid from XTracPads. The Hybrid takes the best features of a hard surface pad and soft surface pad and combines them into a mouse pad so slick you will wonder how you ever used you mouse without it. Various News Items [Apr-19-05] (0 Comments) News Flash - Breakup Hell: Get Over it Online EverCool PT03-9232CP air cooler heatsink review "Ctrl-H, the New Medicine Cabinet" at XYZ Computing Soltek EQ3501-300PW QBiC Mania SFF PC Review HEXUS.interview - Michael Robertson of Linspire Inc Xtrac Hybrid Mouse Pad Review at XYZ Computing @ xyzcomputing.com [Apr-06-05] (0 Comments) Xtracs newest pad, the Hybrid, combines the smoothness of a plastic mousing surface with the flexibility of cloth. One problem a lot of people, especially LAN party-goers, have with plastic, aluminum, and glass pads is that that cannot be rolled up when being transported. This means that a special place has to be set aside for them and that they cannot be too large, otherwise theu would be very heavy and tough to move. In the Hybrid, Xtrac strives to integrate the flexibility of a cloth pad into a plastic surface pad, which is clearly preferable with todays optical mice. Various News Items [Apr-05-05] (0 Comments) Shuttle nF4 SN25P XPC @ t-break NVIDIA nForce4 SLI Intel Edition @ pcper.com MTB Clean Case Contest 2005 @ MODTHEBOX.COM Xuke Mp600 mp3 player @ Rbmods DFI LANParty NF4 SLI-DR Motherboard Review @ pcstats.com Icemat Siberia Multi Headset @ atruereview.com [Mar-25-05] (0 Comments) In an ideal gaming environment, we would be able to setup high quality speakers and play in glass-shattering glory. Unfortunately, we are not always in the ideal environment and the use of rattling speakers is not always practical or allowed. Whether it be complaining neighbors, roommates, or fellow LAN gamers (imagine every gamer at a LAN party with speakers at full blast ;-); this is where headsets come in. Headsets allow you to game without disturbing those around. They also have a microphone for games that utilize it. OCZ Gold PC4000 VX 1GB DC Kit @ InsaneTek [Mar-21-05] (0 Comments) With Winbond BH5 gone, the OCZ Gold VX takes over the combination of ultra low latencies and high megahertz. See how it compares to the highly acclaimed TCCD. Xonix 256MB MP3 Watch @ Futurelooks.com [Mar-21-05] (0 Comments) There have been great combinations since mankind has ruled the earth: hotdog/ketchup, Batman & Robin, but my personal favorite is beer/pizza. Since we are in the age of technology where smaller and portable is better, Xonix brings us an “MP3 & Watch”, or an "MP3 Watch". Arctic Cooling Silentium T2 Case Review @ modthebox.com [Mar-17-05] (0 Comments) Arctic Cooling has taken a simplistic approach towards the overall design of the Silentium T2 by focusing a good portion of detail on the front bezel. The look is very modern and contemporary accented by an attractive silver and black colour combination. The Silentium T2 Case supports both mATX and Full ATX motherboard formats and includes a 350w Seasonic PSU. Icemat Siberia Computer Gaming Headset Review @ Tweaknews.net [Mar-14-05] (0 Comments) In the world of gaming you almost always will annoy people with the repetitive assault gun, the hundreds of grenade explosions or any other combination of weaponry slamming out of your desktop speakers. The desk-mounted microphone will always require yelling, especially when the adrenaline is pumping. This will cause people living with or even next to you to think you are borderline insane and potentially a security hazard. Thus, Icemat decided to give us a headphone/microphone combo to keep our reputations from getting lower in the real world and to make everyone around us think we are completely normal. *twitch* ArctiClean @ atruereview.com [Mar-13-05] (0 Comments) We are proud to present the very first retail product "baby" to come from the combined effort of Arctic Silver and Nanotherm: Arcticlean. What is Arcticlean? It's a unique two-step process of thermal emulsifier and cleaning agents. An emulsifier is an additive that promotes the formation of a stable mixture. Let's take a closer look at this promising new product, shall we? Samsung SCX-4100 Laser Multifunction Printer Review at XYZ Computing @ xyzcomputing.com [Mar-09-05] (0 Comments) When I heard that I was going to be reviewing Samsung’s SCX-4100, I was initially surprised that they had put together a laser printer / scanner combination for such a low price. Their lowest priced laser, the ML-1740, retails for around $100, so my initial guess was that the SCX-4100 was probably built off of the same laser printer technology as the ML-1740 with a low-priced scanner thrown on top. This turns out to basically be the case. But this is actually a great product. Water cooler heatskink system pipes or tubing review. @ a1-electronics.net [Mar-03-05] (0 Comments) Thus we hope you learn from our waste of money that while this computer H20 heatsink pipe is more flexible and comes with the companies name printed on it as far as we are concerned is only fit for the rubbish bin. We will only be using Modding Contest Update @ Moditory [Jan-02-05] (0 Comments) We've extended the finish deadline for the modding contest until January 15th. So you've still got time to enter and/or finish your mod(s). Prizes are Ultra X-connects, clear Acrylic ATX case, and more. We will judge incomplete mods. We are allowing you to enter already completed mods as long as you have a project log on the site forums, post your entering statement (i.e., "hey, count me in. ~link to log~") and a link to it in the contest thread, and meet the post requirement (20 non-spam; project log posts count). You may have up to two(2) entries in the contest, valid entries will be judged, but you may only place once (you can't get both 1st and 3rd place, or any other combination like that). Check it out. SilverStone Lascala 10M HTPC Case Review @ overclockercafe.com [Dec-29-04] (0 Comments) The Vacuum Fluorescent Display with the software installed does much more than just say Welcome iMon. It is designed to work best with a permanent Internet connection so news, weather, etc can be shown and continually updated on the screen. You can select any single or combinations of options to be displayed in marquee fashion across the display. BTC 9019URF Wireless Keyboard @ Envy News [Dec-21-04] (0 Comments) Home Theatre PCs have become a major force in recent years, accompanied by an influx of wireless keyboards and mice. Some keyboards have imply been cordless refabs of their wired originals, while others have added some media-specific buttons to aid in ease of control. But it wasn't until now that we saw a keyboard that had HTPC written all over it. With fully customizable media controls in addition to a shwanky mouse/joystick combination controller, BTC's 9019URF wireless keyboard demands a close look by the HTPC enthusiast. Review: ThermalTake Aquarius III watercooling kit @ PimpedOutCases.net [Dec-18-04] (0 Comments) The Aquarius III is a unique little unit. The previous Aquarius models were a series of parts one had to install into their PC case, including a separate water block, reservoir/pump combination, and radiator. They took quite a time investment to install properly and effectively. The Aquarius III is built to change all of that with an all-in-one design that requires very little time to get the whole installation process completed properly. AeroCool Cool Panel @ cluboc.net [Dec-15-04] (0 Comments) For years companies like AeroCool have strived to make access to your media ports easier. At the same time they have helped you take control of your cooling fans and monitor temperatures. Now they have combined the two with their new "Cool Panel". Check out the review here at the Club! Mercury HT5800R 5.1 Home Theater Speakers @ 3dvelocity.com [Dec-13-04] (0 Comments) You may have the greatest screen that money can buy, but weak, empty audio will ultimately destroy the immersive experience that full, rich realistic sound can deliver. The home theater experience relies on the powerful combination of sound and vision, and one without the other is certain to taint what could be a wonderful experience. Today I want to take a look at another 5.1 speaker system from Mercury. The HT5800R speaker system is a relatively powerful 5.1 set-up complete with dual-driver satellites, a wooden cabinet subwoofer, remote control and a reported 175watt output. DIY Heatcore: Inexpensive & Great Performance @ ocmodshop.com [Dec-08-04] (0 Comments) One such viable alterative that is readily available and easily modified is a heatercore. While there are many different models that can be modified to work in a watercooling system, one that has gained quite a following is the Chevrolet Chevette heatercore. More specifically, the heatercore for the 1986 Chevette, Fedco part number 2-161 or GDI part number 399069, which is approximately 6-1/8" x 6-3/8" x 2". The factory tubes are 3/4" and 5/8" which require some modification to work with 1/2" ID tubing used in a watercooling system but this modification is not that complicated and well worth it considering that most auto parts stores have this heatercore for around $22. Additionally, the tools needed for the modifications are fairly expensive and they are likely ones that most already have on hand. Swiftech H20-120-64 Review @ cluboverclocker.com [Dec-04-04] (0 Comments) Swiftech has a new water cooling kit out for Socket 754/939/940 computers! The kit we have here is the Swiftech H2O-120 revision 3. (As this was a pre-release unit, please disregard the REV 2 stamp on the printed manual.) Even though this is a "kit" it is still very much a do-it-yourself project. Swiftech aims to make the installation process as simple as possible by including every piece of hardware required to finish the job. Every clamp, screw, and all the tubing necessary is included to make the installation as quick and painless as possible. The same Swiftech quality that we have come to expect is still there. Take a look here as Michael shows you the kit and take you through installation and setup. Enjoy! Diamondback Precision Gaming Mouse reviewed @ hi-techreviews.com [Dec-04-04] (0 Comments) The gang over at Razer Inc., the same people that have brought us items like the Razer Viper - which at the time had the highest resolution of any mouse available on the market and the eXactMat - a two-sided, longer-lasting Anodized Aluminum mousing surface that when used with the Viper became a true deadly duo had one more surprise for us this last October. On October 7th at World Cyber Games (WCG) 2004 held in San Francisco, where their newest creation the Razer Diamondback was released and named "The Official Gaming Mouse of WCG" The Razer Diamondback is the world's first optical mouse with a precision of 1600 dots-per-inch (dpi), this is roughly 400 dpi more than the closet competitor. When combine with Razer's highly tunable software you end up with a mouse that is ideal for gaming, photo manipulation, or just surfing the web. Zalman CNPS7700-AlCu Ultra Silent CPU Cooler @ A True Review [Nov-29-04] (0 Comments) With CPU speeds climbing higher and higher; so too is the amount of heat they put out. This is reason that it is a golden age for after market CPU coolers. More and more users are finding out that stock coolers are just not cutting it. One of the most noticeable traits of after market coolers is how big they are getting. This is due to the idea that the bigger the heatsink, the more surface area there is to dissipate heat. An example of this idea is Zalman's newest addition to their CNPS7 series of CPU coolers, the CNPS7700-AlCu Ultra Silent CPU Cooler. Zalman CNPS7700-AlCu Ultra Silent CPU Cooler @ A True Review [Nov-29-04] (0 Comments) With CPU speeds climbing higher and higher; so too is the amount of heat they put out. This is reason that it is a golden age for after market CPU coolers. More and more users are finding out that stock coolers are just not cutting it. One of the most noticeable traits of after market coolers is how big they are getting. This is due to the idea that the bigger the heatsink, the more surface area there is to dissipate heat. An example of this idea is Zalman's newest addition to their CNPS7 series of CPU coolers, the CNPS7700-AlCu Ultra Silent CPU Cooler. Evercool Mini Water Cooler @ techniz.co.uk [Nov-28-04] (0 Comments) Evercool is the top 5 cooling fan manufacturer in Taiwan, we specialized in PC Thermal Solutions, especially in CPU cooling field, our main products including CPU Coolers, DC Fans, Heat Sinks, H.D.D. Coolers and System Blowers. Computers having a quick increase temperature need a good heat dissipation, and the air cool method adopted in the past habitually speeds up the fan to increase the air flow. However, such arrangement brings the problemof loud noise while improving the heat dissipation performance. The model of this mini water cooler is only solution such an annoying problem. The mini water cooler can be used individually for heat dissipation of a CPU, a GPU or an HDD as well as the heat dissipation for any combination of the series connection of the CPU, GPU and HDD. Our review sample was a mini water cooler for the CPU only. A4Tech NB-30: Battery Free Wireless Optical Mouse Review @ CoolTechZone [Nov-25-04] (0 Comments) A4Tech has recently announced their "no-battery" mouse, which is the world’s first optical mouse that operates without the use of batteries, at least to some degree. Undoubtedly this makes them unique and certainly attention grabbing, but is the innovation justifiable? As you will later find out, the price to performance ration may not be so desirable to many. While the company enters the market with a nice and innovative product, we do recommend that they consider some aspects of the products such as the price and the mouse pad. Thermaltake BigWater Review @ GruntVillE [Nov-15-04] (0 Comments) The entire waterblock is copper with a see-through acrylic cover. The copper combined with the shiny acrylic is just gorgeous. The overall design of the waterblock is well done and aesthetically pleasing. Four screws securely attach the acrylic cover to the copper base. Two barbs are centered evenly for a symmetrical look. Under the screw down caps are 5/16in prongs to attach the tubing. Between the barbs you can see the pathway for the liquid cooling. In the right hand corner you can see the small LED encased in the acrylic cover. The LED is blue to light up the entire block. This waterblock is universal; with the included clamps it is designed to fit Intel P4 socket 775, P4, AMD K8, and AMD K7. MTB Guest Author Giveaway Contest 2004 @ MODTHEBOX.COM [Nov-13-04] (0 Comments) This month's contest is focused on testing your writing skills by providing you the opportunity to become a guest author on MTB. What exactly does this mean? We are providing you the opportunity to have your work published on MTB and at the same time win great prizes for your participation. Contestants will be required to submit their own original material which can include articles, projects, case mods or how-to guides in order to educate and entertain the MTB community. All entries much be submitted or linked in the contest thread to be considered as an official entry. Blackmesa II: Part 2 @ Bit Tech [Nov-10-04] (0 Comments) We present the second and final part of the Blackmesa II case mod, the Official Half-Life 2 Demo PC. See the finished case, which includes all manner of goodies - including Combine wall detailing and the finishing touches that turn a good mod into a great mod. Logisys UV Reactive Molex Sleeve Kit @ LAN Addict [Nov-06-04] (0 Comments) First off, five feet is about half of what should be included if you want to get all of he PSU wiring sleeved. A tiny bit of research, such as using a tape measure on some power supply wiring, would have led someone to this conclusion long before the product was finalized for release. Also, the half-inch sleeving would be great for the ATX connector, but it is a bit large for the other leads. Maybe Logisys could include about five feet of some three-eighths-inch sleeving for the other leads in the next version. Also, some heatshrink tubing for connecting the sleeving to the power supply wiring and keeping the sleeving from unraveling would be a great touch! Techwarelabs Motherboard Contest @ techwarelabs.com [Nov-04-04] (0 Comments) Techwarelabs Announces its newest contest for our readers! Techwarelabs has a Socket 754 K8-800T motherboard to give away. This motherboard sports some excellent features and is very stable. For more details on the motherboard go to http://www.techwarelabs.com/reviews/motherboard/fic_k8-800t Now for the fun part. This is due Nov, 12 , 2004 In a nutshell, we want to know who our biggest Techwarelabs fan is on the forums... Gateway MP3 Photo Jukebox Preview @ The Tech Zone [Nov-01-04] (0 Comments) The new Gateway MP3 Photo Jukebox looks tempting enough to make anyone currently on a waiting list for other mini-digital music players think twice. The unit combines 4GB of storage in a small and lightweight 3.4-ounce design, with cool new features including color display, digital photo storage, and, unlike the Dell Pocket DJ or iPod Mini, a removable and rechargeable battery. PrimoFlex Tubing Review @ GruntVillE [Oct-28-04] (0 Comments) PrimoFlex and is a silicon-base tubing which means it has all the same qualities, but is much softer and therefore more flexible. In addition, PrimoFlex tubing is available in 3 UV reactive colors. Clear, which glows a slight purple in UV light, green, and blue. The green and blue are opaque so that they retain their color under regular light, which means no more need for dyes. ThermalTake Hardcano 12 Review @ Twisted Mods [Oct-26-04] (0 Comments) Thermaltake’s latest and greatest on the system monitoring front is the Hardcano 12. It combines the sleek look of a car stereo deck with the powerful control of a Digital Doc system to create a highly useful and undeniably attractive system monitoring unit...This product has been such a great seller lately that even resellers are on backorder as ThermalTake is unable to create them fast enough to meet the customer demand... Letters 128 @ Dansdata [Oct-16-04] (0 Comments) In this nice-round-binary-number issue: A power programmer's PC, a haunted touch lamp, more magstripe execution, Arc flashlight alternatives, the solution to all of everyone's problems, and a message from beyond. Kingston Data Traveler Elite KUSBDTE/1GB USB Drive Review @ MODTHEBOX.COM [Oct-14-04] (0 Comments) While USB flash drives are extremely convenient, the small size and ease of use open up many possibilities for being easily misplaced resulting in the loss of what was otherwise important or personal data. This being a common concern, several similar flash drive units incorporate a variety of approaches to secure your data should the drive be lost. In order to cater to this situation, the Kingston Data Traveler Elite KUSBDTE/1GB USB Drive features a two-layer security mechanism that uses a combination of user authentication and hardware based 128-bit AES encryption. bit-news Keep your hands on the keyboard @ Bit Tech [Oct-08-04] (0 Comments) Sit back and relax for an epic tale of sex and intrigue in the world of computing... Our resident editorial guru James Morris explains how a little hard drive probing can go a long way. SeaSonic Super Tornado 400 Watt Power Supply Unit Review @ Moditory [Sep-06-04] (0 Comments) Seasonic has been a long time maker of Power Supplies and electrical equipment for the last 29 years. Today, we are taking a look at their Super Tornado 400 watt power supply unit. With its simple and clean design, it doesn’t look like anything special, but is actually made quite solidly. With a 120mm fan in the bottom, cooling is good, especially when combined with the honeycomb in the back of the unit. SP2 2180 RTM download! @ I Am Not A Geek [Aug-08-04] (0 Comments) decided to take the torrent route with this network installer. I haven't been able to get my hands on the express installer yet. Anybody looking for an alternate location alt.binaries.warez.ibm-pc.ms-beta has the network installer If you'd rather just wait a little bit longer I'm expecting it to be officially available from microsoft on Monday! Who wants to wait that long though? Asetek WaterChill Antarctica KT03A-L30 @ HEXUS.net [Aug-03-04] (0 Comments) All my issues with the KT12 were blown away with the KT03A. Better relative performance, no more tubing hassles and better packaging all combine to sort out the WaterChill experience. Maxtill G-pad Mouse Pad @ BigBruin [Jul-26-04] (0 Comments) The Maxtill G-pad is just the right size for my likings. I never once ran off the pad no matter how wild the gaming action got. There obviously are no bench marks to be run on a mouse pad so everything is about the “feel” you get from the pad and mouse combination. With the combination of the Padmates on the bottom of my mouse and the Maxtill G-pad, I felt much more accurate and in control in all the FPS games I played. Sony VAIO A170 Notebook Review @ The Tech Zone [Jul-19-04] (0 Comments) You can stop drooling now. The notebook of your dream is here and it's call the Sony VAIO A170. The A170 fixes my biggest complaints about 17" wide screen notebook that have came before; low screen resolution. Before the Sony VAIO A170 burst onto the hardware world, the highest 17" notebook resolution was 1440x900 used in the 17" Apple G4 that we reviewed by in July. Then Clevo introduced a 17" wide screen with 1680x1050 resolution which was for sure a step in the right direction. However, to get maximum advantage of a 17" wide screen you need 1920x1200 WUXGA resolution and that is exactly what Sony did with the VAIO A170. In addition to the new awesome new XBRITE screen, Sony packed the VAIO A170 with the most powerful video card available today; the ATI Radeon 9700 Mobile. The combination of two work to created one of the best gaming and entertainment notebook money can buy. Seeing this baby run UT 2004 is a treat for the senses. Frost-Byte H2O Case and H2O Cooling System Review @ GruntVillE [Jul-19-04] (0 Comments) Every good Water Cooled rig starts out with the pump, for this we are using the Danger Den 12V Pump which plugs into a standard molex connection and turns on and off with the PC. From here we move on to the reservoir which is a Floppy Bay Reservoir allowing you to fill the system with the twist of a cap. Next, we have mounted a Black Heater Core radiator in the top of the case with a low profile shroud which will give you some of the best temps possible from a water rig. Attached to the radiator is a 120mm Aluminum Fan pulling almost 90cfm's. Finally we run 1/2 inch PrimoFlex Tubing, all cut to perfect lengths, and clamp these puppies down with colored hose clamps. Lian Li V1000 Review @ PC Unleash [Jul-13-04] (0 Comments) Lian Li’s V1000 is a revolutionary product, breaking the stereotypical concept of what a case should be. Usually, if the product has visually appealing features, these sometimes act as the bottleneck on its performance. However, Lian Li’s V1000 is not just easy on the eyes, but it combines practical performance and the appearance. This gives it a serious advantage, making it among the next generation of cases, I dare say. Extreme Gamer Sub Zero CPU Cooler @ Controlled Insanity [Jul-12-04] (0 Comments) The XG cooler has a very nice look to it. Its blue aluminum casing along with its clear blue fan makes for a very good looking combination. The benchmarks show that it considerably lowers your CPU temperature in both idle and load conditions. Installation is a pain because of the side mounted fan interfering with one of the clips. The fact that the fan is side mounted and that the heatsink comes preinstalled with heat transfer paste can be good or bad, depending on your situation. Swiftech 8600 series Water Cooling Kit Video Review #454 @ 3dGameMan.com [Jul-07-04] (0 Comments) The Swiftech 8600 series Water Cooling Kit will transform just about any computer system into a world of cool! The basic system includes a radiator with fan, CPU waterblock, pump, tubing and more. If more cooling is required, extra waterblocks and radiator can be added. This particular kit doesn't need a reservoir because of the fill and bleed assembly, which means it will easily fit into almost any mid tower case. Watch the Video to find out more... GeCube All-In Wonder 9600XT 128M/TV/FM @ Hexus [Jul-03-04] (0 Comments) ...it's the All-In-Wonder feature set and the board's technical implementation that combine to make the GeCube one hell of a product. It doesn't need an external power source, instead it's quite happy sucking from the AGP slot. The end result? Small form factor PC owners will quite happily be able to slot one into their boxes and run it without an issue. The one slot cooler and cool running RV360 core conspire to make sure heat won't be an issue in those enclosed spaces either. Intel 925X Chipset & LGA 775 CPU's @ Bit Tech [Jun-19-04] (0 Comments) Intel release their latest CPU's on a totally new platform. Combining the latest DDR2 RAM with the new PCI-E standard, we take a look at their latest offering, also sneaking a peek at ATI's Radeon X600 VPU. Super Talent Memory Cooler @ PimpRig [Jun-18-04] (0 Comments) Even though blinking lights won't increase performance one bit (although pin stripes and stickers usually help), being included as an additional feature is always a plus. Each of the fans has 6 small blinking LED's installed and produce a combination of different colors. Orac3 - Part 5 @ Bit Tech [Jun-14-04] (0 Comments) Guys and girls... The final installment in the Orac3 'modyssey' is here. We are extremely proud of what we have put together here - what it quite simply the finest case-mod in bit-tech.net's illustrious history. It's been 9 months in the making, but we think you'll agree that the results are worth it! Motherboard stealthing? Check. More chrome-plating than you can shake a stick at? Check. Custom watercooling, mass acrylic fabrication and attention to detail at an unprecedented level? That too. Please feel free to use our image in your news posts, and here's a quote: "I wanted to take the concept of a clear case a step further. It meant modding pretty much every nut, bolt, screw, cover, cable and component in the entire system, 'attention to detail' becoming my mantra. Along the way a use was found for unusual items such as shower-hose and aquarium tubing, and the whole project had to follow a theme: Chrome, neon green perspex, polished stainless steel and clear acrylic. I have faithfully stuck to my original sketches and concepts, modified things along the way and tossed a few ideas out as well. What has resulted? Read on... Zalman ZM-RS6F 5.1 Headphones Review @ XtremeTek [Jun-14-04] (0 Comments) As demand for high-performance audio merges into the mainstream, 5.1 surround sound is now considered a mandatory item for a great many consumers. With companies such as Logitech, Creative, and Klipsch selling 5.1 surround sound systems, it is easy to find a package that satisfies various needs. However, there are times when the surroundings do not permit the user to enjoy their surround sound system without disturbing others. One could buy a pair of ordinary headphones, but they obviously will not perform as well, especially in computer games where reactions depend on spatial sounds. Spire WhisperRock IV Giveaway @ Steamed Turtle [Jun-08-04] (0 Comments) A new and or spare heatsink and fan combination is a great thing to have. Sign up to our forums and enter and get a chance to win this great heatsink by Spire, the WhisperRock IV. Zalman ZM-RSSC 5.1 USB Soundcard @ Bit Tech [Jun-07-04] (0 Comments) ...After playing with the ZM-RSSC for about two weeks I have come to love the pluses of a USB Soundcard. My laptop is no longer a stereo only device, but a fully fledged movie machine. I have also found that combined with a set of 5.1 headphones you can simply plug it into any machine with Windows XP and have instant 5.1 surround... 1000 UPS Energy Protector @ MetkuMods [Jun-07-04] (0 Comments) If you are after a good quality but cheap UPS for your servers, here is your choice. For desktop use the fan of the unit is bit too noisy but for server rooms or cabinets it suits well. 1000 VA offers a lot of power and it kept our reference system running for a very long time. Hook couple of fileservers after this and they are safe from the power spikes and mains failures. Innovatek XXS Water Cooling Kit @ Viper Lair [Jun-04-04] (0 Comments) Innovatek has definitely stepped their kit up a notch or two, since I last reviewed one. The XXS kit is put together for ease of installation by a novice, while keeping the enthusiasts in mind with the flexibility and the quality components. The quality Water Blocks, Pump, Radiator and Tubing truly allow for great performance and variation of design. Albatron FX5700U3 @ COC [May-23-04] (0 Comments) For us overclockers, we are always trying to find the hottest products that we can get the most of an overclock. We all try and find the best steppings of CPU's, part numbers on memory modules, and the best revision of a particular motherboard. This kind of strategy is probably one of the best tried and true ways of getting real pleasure out of knowing you can get the best bang for the buck. Sometimes I think that value is the whole basis for overclocking, but then again I also know that when overclocking got started, overclockers didn't even attempt to acknowledge flagship products like we do today, mostly due to the expense involved. Well, that's all kind of how it is, and how it went, until a small company called Albatron came along with their TI4200 Turbo series of video cards. What I assume Albatron's philosophy consisted of was to take the best binned memory modules, put it together with a well engineered PCB and sell it for slightly more than a regular Ti4200. What Albatron created with that card was a lot of respect, not from its attractive overall packaging, but from its ability to overclock like crazy. Well Albatron hasn't seemed to abandon that philosophy, and regardless of the fact that the FX series is a bit dated, I'm here to let you know that this thing just nips at the heels of a 9800 Pro. Lets dive a little deeper... Xoxide X-Turbine Skull Case @ PimpRig [May-18-04] (0 Comments) I have a case here that will hit almost every case modders palate. The Limited Edition X-Turbine Skull Case from Xoxide. What Xoxide has done here is take their popular X-Turbine case and made it better. The X-Turbine is a great case, with 6 fans and a lot of windows, what more could they do? They applied a theme to it, a skull theme to be exact. Pay attention boys and girls, let the modding begin. Creating shell icons (ex: recycle bin) @ IANAG [May-17-04] (0 Comments) A shell icon is sort of like a file type (ex: .doc, .txt .bmp etc) but it is made for a system feature. For example, the recycle bin. The recycle bin, unlike allot of your desktop icons, is not a shortcut. It is a shell icon. "My documents", "my computer" , "internet exploder" are other shell icons. Mouse Grips @ A True Review [May-16-04] (0 Comments) Do you find that after extensive continual use of the computer mouse, your hand becomes sweaty and slippery? Do you wish your mouse could be more ergonomic? Well, Mouse Grips is the solution to both of these problems. Mouse Grips are pre-cut pieces made of high quality neoprene stickers that apply anywhere on a computer mouse (except at the bottom of course!). They increase comfort by providing more cushioning and absorbing sweat. Logitech Z3 Speakers @ Envy News [May-12-04] (0 Comments) Gone are the days of five-foot tall and ten driver cone speakers the size of small fridges. Replaced by Neodymium rare-earth magnets, zero-vibration materials, metal drivers, and smart resonance chambers, the new-generation bookshelf speakers have stepped in to eradicate the need of yester-decade's offerings. It's apparent from the low-end to the bleeding-edge high-end; small, compact, and sexy are the way to go. Today's young industrial and acoustic designers are employing over a century of audio engineering and combining these principles with present-day mass-manufacturing. The end result - top tier audio fidelity for the masses. It seems to be the trend for 2004; clean and smart designs combined with quality and excellence. Stop the World, you need to get on. @ Bit Tech [May-12-04] (0 Comments) ...if it’s not cars, it’s white goods, training, plumbing, cleaning, in fact anything which isn’t run somewhere that has an easily accessible technical support offering. It’s so blatantly predictable that in the majority of these cases, the site has been set up by a helpful employee, or relative of an employee... PalmOne Treo 600 CDMA PDA Phone @ Twlabs [May-10-04] (0 Comments) Handspring, now PalmOne, is well phone for their smart PDA phones. The long awaited Treo 600 is finally selling in full swing, in fact many retailers cannot keep this item in stock. This phone is the most advanced in this line of self-titled "smartphones," combining the world of cell-phones and PDAs. Read on to see what this all-in-one device offers. Thermaltake Hardcano 12 Fan Controller Review @ Extension Tech [Apr-29-04] (0 Comments) The Hardcano 12 has a combination of fan controllers and temperature sensors, along with a backlit LCD screen and programming that automatically controls your fans from four different sensors throughout your case. Will this combination of technology mesh together to form the 'perfect' fan controller, or will the Hardcano 12 be remembered as just 'another overpriced gadget'? Read on to find out. coolsleves review @ Kickass AMD [Apr-23-04] (0 Comments) Don't like vinyl/soft rubber tubing because it kinks? Not any more! CoolingWorks has a completely innovative product that I've never seen until this day, which adds kink-less style to your watercooling system OCZ 1GB PC4400 DDR550 Performance Series Dual Channel Memory Kit Review @ Tweak News [Apr-20-04] (0 Comments) There are a couple of factors that impressed me with OCZ's PC4400 memory. For one, I liked the use of copper heatspreaders. It is well known that DDR550 memory does get warm and using a heatspreader material with a higher heat conductivity rate just makes pure sense. It has been argued for some time whether heatspreaders are really necessary on memory today. For PC3200 memory, this may indeed be true, but for PC4400, it's mandatory. Kick in the fact that it looks great (see picture above), and you have a great combination of practicality and aesthetics which is sought after by enthusiasts today. Secondly, what really blew me away is the pricing. If you check pricing you will see you can have OCZ's 1GB DDR550 kit for the low price of US$335. For PC4400 memory, that is amazing. Even Kingston's PC4000 memory is US$20 more and Corsair's PC4400 alternative tips the scales at US$450. Why doesn't my hard drive show the correct size? @ IANAG [Apr-19-04] (0 Comments) The short answer to there's two different measurement formats used. Decimal (GB) and binary (GiB) formats. Binary is used by Windows and decimal is used by the manufacturers. Both the manufacturer and Windows are giving you the "correct" number. Enermax Ultimate Controller Review @ Crazymodders.be [Mar-28-04] (0 Comments) When you unpack the controller it looks very sturdy and solid at first sight, and this is confirmed when you take a closer look. Everything is finished beautifully and there is enough space to hide your cables. The only thing that struck me immediately is that the cables entangle quickly when you loosen their binders because they are quite long. A solution to this problem is to put tie wraps around the cables every 10 to 15 cm. Once you have installed the controller completely this naturally doesn't bother anymore. Gigabyte GN-B49G 802.11g Wireless Router Review @ PCstats [Mar-23-04] (0 Comments) The market for the Internet sharing devices most users know as 'routers' has exploded over the past three years, to the point where they are becoming common in every broadband-enabled household and small business. These useful devices automatically split a fast Internet signal amongst several PCs while providing some form of firewall protection against the Big Bad Internet. When the wireless boom happened, slightly after these devices became popular, combining the two technologies was an obvious step. 802.11g is the newest official wireless data transfer standard, and is capable of transferring data at up to 54megabits per second, almost five times faster than 802.11b, the current dominant standard. The router we are reviewing today is an interesting product for a few reasons. Firstly, it is one of the new breed of 802.11g wireless routers, and we were curious to see how its performance stacked up... Unreal Tournament 2004 (PC) Review @ OCC [Mar-22-04] (0 Comments) To many people, Unreal Tournament 2003 was a disappointment to the original Unreal Tournament. While it provided some new features, not enough was added to keep interest. That, combined with the release of Battlefield 1942, a new game that focused on team play, Unreal Tournament 2003 was left sucking dirt. Here we are now, well over a year later, and the battle continues. Unreal Tournament 2004 and Battlefield: Vietnam released just a day apart. It's to early to tell what the outcome of this war will be, but we can tell you what we think of Unreal Tournament 2004. Hunter Series Gamer Keyboard reviewed @ Ohls-Place.com [Mar-17-04] (0 Comments) The best of both worlds combined into one. A full-sized keyboard that is set up for Microsoft Office, your multimedia needs and Internet surfing, Yet still has all of the nice full size keys one comes to expect in a good gaming keyboard. News: Q-Tec 756C USB 2.0 CD/RW Case reviewed @ MetkuMods [Mar-15-04] (0 Comments) Q-Tec 756C USB 2.0 CD/RW Case 5.25" Alu is in all a very good product. Magnificient appearance combined with reasonable performance and easy of use makes it a worthy competitor for other mass storage cases on the market. Only a missing power cord and quite a noisy case fan reduces its superb overall grade. bit-news Shuttle Zen XPC (ST62K) @ Bit Tech [Mar-01-04] (0 Comments) Don’t let the not-brilliant gaming performance put you off this compact package, it is the only weakness in an otherwise exceptional product. If you want a system that offers an outstanding combination of looks, subtlety, performance and absolute silence look no further (can you say HTPC??!). Make no mistakes, a system that can silence a P4 2.4c to the point of needing a glance at the LED on the front to tell if it’s on, deserves praise... Archos Video AV320 Personal Entertainment Center Review @ BigBruin.Com [Feb-28-04] (0 Comments) The ARCHOS VIDEO AV320 is the first handheld personal entertainment center. It combines a modular MPEG-4 video player and recorder, MP3 music player and recorder, digital camera and camcorder, digital photo wallet, and data storage in a compact device that fits in the palm of your hand. Review: Asanté FriendlyNET GX5-424W @ Networkstoday [Feb-24-04] (0 Comments) This switch is squarely aimed at the small and medium size business market with 24 10/100 switch ports, 2 10/100/1000 switch ports, and 2 GBIC ports for a combined total of 4 Gigabit ports. They have included many advanced features that business will find very useful and a price of just over $16 per port." Vantec Iceberq 4 Pro Review @ Extension Tech [Feb-14-04] (0 Comments) Aftermarket GPU-cooler designers have to find a balance between noise, cost, and size. Vantec's Iceberq 4 Pro tries to meet these requirements with style, but can this small heatsink / fan combination outperform the larger G4-VGA offering from Thermaltake? Antec Performance One P160 @ COC [Feb-13-04] (0 Comments) Antec has always been one to design enclosures with high functionality and stylish good looks, yet remain priced in the OEM bracket. While many may say that Antec enclosures are known for their conservative approach in the "pre-mod" madness, their newest advertisement reflects the direction of their newest enclosure. The Performance One line has been kicked off with this new product, the P160! In Antec's own words "We've created the best-selling and most frequently imitated line of cases in history. But we don't rest on our laurels, so we redesigned the entire line from scratch. Introducing Performance One. It combines the best of Quiet ComputingTM technology with Antec's years of experience designing high-performance cases. It offers everything you'd expect from Antec: advanced features, dynamic styling, and the very latest technology. Performance One from Antec redefines what a case should be -- again" Naturally, you can expect a company to boost their own image while promoting their products and this quote certainly does make a statement. Looking back at the accomplishments and products that Antec has delivered, it is very clear that Antec has a large flag to run up the mast... Check out the Performance One P160, over at ClubOC! DangerDen Maze4-Athlon64 Blocks (Editorial) @ ipKonfig [Feb-06-04] (0 Comments) As we have noted in the past, DangerDen waterblocks combine high performance with exceptional design. We have reviewed quite a few these waterblocks, and found each and every one to perform beyond expectations. Performance, of course, is good, but DangerDen also firmly believes that 'flows' from consistent quality. To date we have not experienced any faulty products from it. But aside from its perfection, DangerDen also keeps up with new demands by chip makers-and what exactly do we mean by this? E.g.: soon after the release of the AMD Athlon 64 came the DangerDen Maze4 Athlon 64 version of its waterblock series. Xice EC600/H WC kit @ Bit Tech [Jan-20-04] (0 Comments) ...Unlike most water cooling systems there're no fans in this kit; the warm water leaving the waterblock attached to your CPU is passed through roughly 10m of black plastic tubing. As the water in the tubing heats up it warms up the air surrounding it which rises, the pressure drop this creates draws cooler air into the base of the ExternalCool and the process repeats cooling the water... Smart Alec and Monolith laptop bags @ Envynews [Jan-13-04] (0 Comments) Laptop bags that stand out in a crowd are not the mass produced, boring laptop cases; they are the ones that are produced by individuals driven by creativity. Tom Bihn hit the mark dead-on with the Smart Alec case design; it's fashionable, rugged and designed to stand the test of time. Tagged with the Monolith, the Smart Alec permits some of the best protection in the market for any laptop, Mac or PC. The combination of the two with the simple clasp design leaves the laptop bag competition in the dust. 542 results. New search. |
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