May 2007

The Mountain Mods Duality Series of the U2-UFO offers you the ability to house TWO FULL ATX motherboards in a single case! The left side uses the standard ATX positioning while the right allows for another ATX motherboard in an inverted position. Four power supply ports are available for the heaviest of loads... you heard right.. this baby can hold up to FOUR Power Supplies! Six 120mm intake blow holes are aligned for the use of TWO Thermochill 1203 Radiators, making this case capable of cooling two seriously hot systems. This version of the U2-UFO Series is great for users that have a need for two systems or have a slight case of Jekyll & Hyde. ;o)

The mechanics of the ArcticMOD.com Thermal Discount Policy really are this simple. For every step you take in supporting our store with your purchases, we will in return give a little back to you, our valued and loyal customers. This is our way of showing our customers not only how much we appreciate them, but also to demonstrate how and why we are different from the competition.

Our store, this business, and our livelihoods are made possible because of loyal customers like yourself who come here for their PC / Modding supplies rather then shopping with the many impersonal mega stores out there. Our number one mission always and ever shall be customer satisfaction and positive experience. We want to make your visit here fun, educational, intriguing, rewarding and profitable. We believe that business transactions should be a two-way street, and this is our way of showing this. Simply put, take a little... give a little...

“Alas, Antec is one of the very best at enclosures and part of that title comes from never accepting something just short of great. These guys are never content unless something of theirs leaves a mark or sets another standard. It is with great pleasure we show you the updated P182 Enclosure and all of its improvements. Allow me to give you the tour and offer up some new ideas that have also come from Antec. And don't be surprised if you see the concept surface amongst other makers.”

"You’ve just built the system of your dreams and finally when it’s all together you try to hook up that old 17 inch CRT monitor and realize that the connector from your monitor doesn’t match the one on that new video card. Then you remember, in your excitement, you forgot to buy that new widescreen 22 inch monitor you had looked at. Today’s trends have basically rendered CRT monitors extinct and more people are leaning towards Liquid Crystal Display Monitors (LCD), due to their sharper picture quality, their widescreen capabilities, and since they don’t consume as much space on one's desk. When CRTs were most popular, prices on the larger screen monitors were often out of reach for the average consumer. However, with LCDs, prices are more reasonable and for one week's salary, most people can purchase a quality wide screen LCD monitor for much less than a comparable CRT monitor would cost (NEC 21in CRT $349.99 Res. 1280x1024 Analog vs. BenQ 22in LCD $269.99 Res. 1680x1050 Digital). Most of the LCD monitors you can choose from are also HDTV (DVI and HDMI) ready, whereas a CRT is not."

“For anybody looking for a tough case that can provide a large amount of cooling, Sigma had done a great job with the Atlantis series of cases. They provide very thick and durable aluminum framing along with very user friendly construction. The tab and clip design of the side panels work without effort and provide a secure way of mounting without screws. Though this case has a very industrial look…”

"Unfortunately, not all of the components wanted to play along, which limited Marcus and Jon somewhat, but they still managed to reach rather respectable 24604 points. This is the highest registered score at the ORB, but Kingpin has reached just more than 25,000 /.../ The processor was pushed to more than 5GHz, but unfortunately the motherboard didn't want to play along for any longer periods. This is the first time someone has pushed a quad-core (read Kentsfield) to more than 5GHz together with GeForce 8800 Ultra in 3DMark 06. Kingpin's record was set at 4880MHz."

When you’re trying to build a high-performing and quiet operating computer, finding components that offer both solid performance with little added sound are little gems in the rough. While most people focus on CPU cooler and case fans, many chipset coolers often go unnoticed. Today we’ll look at a new chipset cooler from Noctua, whose high performance fans we’ve been impressed with in the past. Will this offering live up to those high standards? Read on to find out.

OCZ brings us face to face with the Reaper... Will you be dying to get your hands on this ram from OCZ? Find out as we take a look at the Reaper and see how it compares to other high quality memory out there. These were the first modules to be incorporate the new Reaper heatsink and are rated at 1150MHz at CL 5-5-5. Read on to see if these copper heat pipe clad memory modules are right for you.

"Yes it’s true that 2GB is plenty of RAM but 4GB is twice as nice, and with the price of this kit just under $350, the question is simply answered; the performance outweighing the price. Not too many people are in the market for a 4GB kit of RAM but if you are a gamer, video editor, or looking for something to brag about...."

“Rarely do we see a huge innovation in CPU cooler design. I think that last big thing was heatpipes and those are in tons of CPU coolers now. Today we will be looking at the iCEAGE CPU cooler from 3RSYSTEM. It may look like your standard CPU cooler, but it features Direct Touch Heatpipe (DTH) technology. Instead of having heatpipes go into a heatsink base the heatpipes make up the base of the cooler. We will see how well this technology works and if it will make CPU coolers lighter in the future.”

When I unplugged the X1900XT from my system and plugged in the 8800 GTS 640 I knew a power supply chance was in my future since I could not even get a fan to spin. Thankfully, OCZ had sent over their largest power supply the 1000 watt rated GameXStream for us to review. This was impeccable timing since the second 8800 GTS that we ordered arrived the very same day. So come on along and check out the results of how well this power plant of a power supply performs.

Esthetics and appearance aside, these modules are pretty solid...okay, so they are extremely satisfying. You are basically getting the fastest binned memory from the manufacturer who makes the most important component in any other kit of memory rated at the same speed or higher. I am a bench marker and out-right performance is all that impresses me with memory. The 3-4-3 overclocking of this memory has me very impressed and I have had some good kits at those timings. the bonus with this kit is that it clocks at 5-5-5 as well as some of the PC2-9200 modules out there.

"Today we take two popular kits PC2-8000 from Crucial (Ballistix PC2-8000) and Super Talent (PC2-8000 T1000UX2G5) for a spin. Tests will focus on the tightest manual timings at several speed grades across AMD and Intel systems."

"We all know how the story played out for 3dfx, the graphics company that had dominated the industry for several years in the late 90s with their Glide API. The Glide API was created by 3dfx and optimized the overall gaming experience when used in conjunction with the Voodoo hardware. Having a specialized API was both the highlight and the downfall for 3dfx. For the few short years that Glide reigned supreme, there were several games released that implemented this proprietary API. Today we will take a trip down memory lane and remember some of the best games ever that used Glide..."

"The SanDisk Sansa e140 we are looking at today is refurbished and comes in an ordinary white cardboard box lined with a layer of bubble wrap.
The retail SanDisk Sansa e140 package contains the Sansa Sansa e140 MP3 Player, earphones, armband, carrying case, AAA battery, USB 2.0 cable, CD with valuable software (Their words, not mine. Most of us call this crapware), user manual, and a quick start guide. The refurbished package comes minus the AAA battery, CD user manual, and quick start guide. As you would expect the user manual is also available online at the SanDisk site in .PDF format."

It always happens, even in Windows XP... you need to move or delete some files, but Windows gives you an error that you need permission or that the file is in use. When tweaking your Vista system, you will probably need to modify some system files, but Vista has this locked down tight. You can take ownership of any file in Windows Vista, and then grant any username full control of the file. After you have made your modifications, you can then remove the permissions, setting the file back to its original state.

"Performance wise there is a slight difference between the two. The X1650XT beats the 7600GT in 3dmark05, but who cares about benchmarks anyway? It's in-game that counts. The Jetway X1650XT is slightly faster with FEAR, but TDU played much better with the 7600GT than with the X1650XT. The Jetway X1650XT is also clocked lower than the reference card. I saw a couple of other reviews where the X1650XT was marginally faster than the 7600GT on more occasions."

Sunnyvale, Calif.—May 25, 2007—OCZ today announced immediate plans to bring PC Power & Cooling into the OCZ Technology Group. As a worldwide leader in high performance computer hardware, OCZ acquired PC Power & Cooling to utilize their keen expertise in power management and take the organization to the next level. This compelling partnership between the two like-minded companies will create a powerful fusion of patented technologies, innovative, high quality PC components, and improved accessibility of premium solutions for customers worldwide. All parties, including the consumer, will benefit from the acquisition; the combined company is now situated to deliver ground-breaking power solutions to meet the growing demand for efficient, high performance components to power the computing needs of gaming, enthusiast, and mission-critical systems builders alike.

"OCZ and PC Power & Cooling are both technology leaders that share a common passion for delivering premium solutions to consumers,” said Ryan Petersen, CEO of OCZ Technology Group. “By bringing these two established companies together we are able to leverage the strengths of each organization and accelerate the development of cutting edge products for a variety of markets. We believe that collectively OCZ and PC Power & Cooling will build on our combined heritage to revolutionize high end computing."

"As an expansion partner, I believe we have found in OCZ the ideal fit for the culture and approach of PC Power & Cooling," said Doug Dodson, founder and CEO of PCP&C. "In my new role as Chief Technology Officer, I will focus on maintaining PC Power's lead in proven ultra high-performance with the Turbo-Cool line, and in value and quiet computing with the Silencer line, as well as provide guidance for the continuing improvement of OCZ's power management solutions. I am excited about the improved accessibility of PC Power & Cooling products and I am confident that our rich tradition of reliability and innovation will continue to strengthen as a part of the OCZ Technology Group."

Building on a shared understanding and mutual enthusiasm for leading-edge computer technology, OCZ and PC Power & Cooling will seamlessly unify to represent the pinnacle of performance. Look for all of OCZ Technology Group's current and future products in its worldwide network of distributors, e-tailers, and retail stores.

The Arctic Square is the latest CPU cooler to be added to the series. The cooler offers up a more finished and well rounded look with less breaks in the design. After getting to know some of the ASUS personnel at CES, it makes sense that what seemed like a finished design would get a whole new look and some improvements. And if something can't be improved upon feasibly, then it only makes sense to add the finishing touches afterwards. Take a few minutes to see how the ASUS Arctic Square CPU Cooler performs.

Sunnyvale, Calif.—May 22, 2007—OCZ Technology Group, a worldwide leader in innovative, ultra-high performance and high reliability memory, today announced their official crossover into DDR3 memory to coincide with the recent launch of the Intel Bearlake Chipset. OCZ’s hand-tested DDR3 solutions enable ardent enthusiasts to take advantage of the highly-anticipated P35 platform while experiencing the legendary quality and reliability of OCZ memory.

The first OCZ DDR3 products will accommodate standard JEDEC specifications for third generation DDR. OCZ is pleased pick up where their high-end DDR2 memory left off and offer Gold Series memory kits in PC3-8500 (1066MHz) and PC3-10666 (1333MHz) speed grades.

OCZ Gold DDR3 modules will be initially available in 2x512MB and 2x1024MB dual channel kits. These modules are currently available in limited quantity and OCZ has been working closely with the leading platform providers to ensure optimal performance and compatibility on all the next generation computing platforms that will be introduced later this year. Each module is 100% hand-tested for quality assurance and compatibility and feature proprietary gold-mirrored XTC (Xtreme Thermal Convection) heatspreaders for the most effective heat dissipation. As part of OCZ’s line-up of premium memory, the DDR3 series is backed by a Lifetime Warranty and industry-leading technical support for unparalleled peace of mind.

May 21, 2007—The OCZ Trifecta Series was honored by PC World with a 100 Best Products of 2007 Award. The article is available now on PCWorld.com, and will also be featured in the July 2007 issue of PC World, which hits newsstands June 12.

OCZ designed the Trifecta to put all your flash needs into one unique and handy unit. This innovative memory solution allows quick transferring of music, images, and files between devices such as your cell phone, digital camera, and PC. The microSD easily converts into a standard SD card that can also be plugged into any USB port for quick access on your desktop or notebook. The OCZ Trifecta card is the only flash product to offer such convenience and utility and is available through OCZ’s worldwide network of network of distributors, e-tailers, and retail stores.

The respected 100 Best Products Awards honor products that meld practical features with innovation and reflect the rapidly changing technology marketplace. To select the winners, PC World’s editors examined hundreds of products, including those that have appeared in the magazine over the last 12 months. The 100 winning products and services were selected for their exemplary design and usability, features, performance, and innovation.

“Products that win PC World’s 100 Best Products of 2007 Awards set the standard for excellence in the IT and consumer electronics industries,” stated Harry McCracken, vice-president/editor in chief of PC World. “From notebooks and security software to MP3 players and smartphones, the editors reward the most outstanding performers in the annual awards program. Congratulations to the OCZ Trifecta Series.”

Taipei, Taiwan, May 21, 2007 – GIGABYTE UNITED INC., a leading manufacturer of motherboards and graphics cards today announced its next generation, high performance platforms, the GIGABYTE P35 Series of motherboards, based on the highly efficient Intel® P35 chipset and introducing the latest GIGABYTE Ultra Durable 2 design, featuring top quality, highly efficient components for enhanced system reliability, cooling working temperatures, longer durability and exceptional overclocking abilities.

The GIGABYTE P35 Series of motherboards promises to revolutionize the way you work, live and play. Delivering the very latest in high performance computing, the GIGABYTE P35 Series features the Intel® P35 chipset, with optimized system memory capabilities and chipset overspeed protection removed for extreme levels of overclocking performance. The GIGABYTE P35 Series also supports the latest multi-core processors up to FSB 1333MHz, including the upcoming 45nm platform, with its record breaking performance and greater energy efficiency.

San Jose, California ? May 22, 2007 -- Super Talent Technology, a leading manufacturer of DRAM memory modules and flash storage solutions, today announced a new line of extreme performance 1333MHz and 1066MHz DDR3 modules.

These JEDEC compliant 1GB modules and 2GB kits were designed specifically for the new Intel? P35 ?Bearlake? platform, and have already been validated on multiple P35 motherboards. These modules are clad in Super Talent?s custom black cast aluminum HE heat spreaders for optimum thermal performance.

W1333UX2G9 2GB DDR3 Kit (2x 1GB) 1333MHz PC3-10600 9-9-9-27

W1333UB1G9 1GB DDR3 module 1333MHz PC3-10600 9-9-9-27

W1066UX2G7 2GB DDR3 Kit (2x 1GB) 1066MHz PC3-8500 7-7-7-20

W1066UB1G7 1GB DDR3 module 1066MHz PC3-8500 7-7-7-20

According to Joe James, Super Talent Marketing Director, ?Super Talent has leveraged our strong Silicon Valley based engineering to bring DDR3 products to market early. Our first DDR3 products will deliver very impressive performance for early adopters of the new technology.?

These DDR3 products are designed, built and tested in Super Talent?s San Jose, California headquarters. Every Super Talent module built is hand tested in a motherboard under load to ensure the highest level of reliability. These products are all sampling now, and will be shipping in volume in June. W1066UX2G7 is expected to retail for approximately $489.

“About a week ago, I had the pleasure of playing with Abit's flagship IN9 32X-MAX 680i Motherboard and mentioned the successes that the all but dead Intel 965X chipset was still causing serious waves among the enthusiasts. Well, here before me is the Abit AB9 Quad GT P965 Crossfire Motherboard which has in many forums taken the Core 2 Duo in to uncharted territory that rivals that of the 680i chipset. There are so many differences between the two chipsets, yet they have so many of the same features.”

The third chapter in the Quiet Computing™ story written by Antec—it’s everything you’ve come to expect from the prestigious Sonata line with even more upgrades and improvements. The Sonata III is whisper quiet when it comes to system noise while with the new High Definition front audio ports the sound you want your system to make will be crystal clear. And the front eSATA connector allows for simple data transfer. It’s all powered by EarthWatts 500 Watt power supply unit (PSU) which is equipped with universal input and Active PFC. This PSU is also 80PLUS® certified making it one of the most efficient PSU’s available. And all that means the Sonata III is the perfect combination of style, silence and efficiency.

Introducing the P190, a case that stands apart from all others. Bigger and better than the rest, the P190 has room to handle even the biggest hardware; ExtendedATX,multiple graphics cards, dual CPU’s, and liquid-cooling are all no problem for the P190.
Powering all your hardware in this case is the unique Neo-Link dual power supply system. A dual setup of two individual power supplies linked together to give you a total of 1200 Watts of power. There are dual top mounted 140mm exhaust fans, a rear 120mm fan and a 200mm "Big Boy" fan mounted in the side door; all 3-speed TriCool fans and ideal for cooling even the hottest new technology. You won’t have to worry about the noise coming from your hardware either, as the P190 is built with Quiet Computing in mind, featuring silicone grommets for the hard drive mounts and special dual layer sound deadening side panels. All these features and more make the P190 the most advanced performance case yet.

"I must say I really like this Zero enclosure, from the way the front bezel is laid out to all the room on the inside. The exterior is black on the panels and the plastic is polished and really shines. A word to the greasy people: you will leave noticeable fingerprints. With all that said, I would feel confident in purchasing the NZXT Zero, whether it's for gaming or using all the extra room..."

May14th , Daejeon, Korea: Today ZEROtherm® embarks on the next evolutionary step in its quest to deliver superior thermal solutions to an international audience, as their product line-up is proudly introduced to the North American press and made available in quantity at popular e-tailers: NewEgg and Tiger Direct. Long touted as the OEM markets reliable alternative to overpriced / underperforming competitor solutions, ZEROtherm products are poised to capture the interest of the enthusiast and mainstream retail consumer alike. Offering an entire product family ranging from silent CPU coolers, such as the industry acclaimed ButterFly® BTF95, to the VGA overclocking friendly and award winning GX815, ZEROtherm is the cooler of choice by North American press.
On the heels of garnering several strategic partnerships with industry giants like ASUS, ZEROtherm® is quick to note that it not only promises delivery of the highest quality components, but that ZEROtherm wishes to express its openness to listen to the enthusiast community to develop next generation thermal solutions. This vision and commitment is echoed by ZEROtherm’s executive team:
“It is our passion to exceed our customers’ expectations and offer quality cooler builds with superior performance while remaining affordable.” ZEROtherm®, CEO Kyu Sop Song
The passion of the ZEROtherm® executive team is embodied in their works and recognized in their products by the mainstream international media.

"The Titan Mini 2.1 Speakers were easy to setup and use, but how much benefit do they provide? The quality was not that much above my old laptop's speakers and many newer laptops today are featuring better built-in speakers. The added burden of carrying around another set of speakers may offset the benefit, and if you use a USB port to power the speakers, you're not saving battery life either."

“Here is the MP4 Player. It is about as generic as a product can get, as there is no brand, country of origin, marketed by, or any other identifying marks anywhere on the box, the player itself, or included documentation. After some Googling, I have pretty much determined that this is probably an "S1 MP3 Player", a mass-produced, Chinese made, MP3 player, this one being capable of showing videos, hence an MP4 player.”

We took a look at Microsoft and Razer's first team effort a few weeks ago with our Habu review. Overall, we were left very impressed. Will we receive the same reaction from the new Reclusa gamers keyboard?

DFI recently launched their first nForce 600 series chipset-based motherboard, the LANParty UT NF680i LT SLI-T2R, and we’ve just finished and posted up our evaluation. Unlike most other nForce 680i LT-based products, DFI’s offering is not simply a re-branded reference design and it offers a host of additional features that allow it to compete favorably with more expensive, full-blown nForce 680i SLI motherboards. Head on over to the site and check it out…

"That's exactly what Kinc did with the Radeon HD 2900XT and with the extra cooling the nitrogen provided a new top notch result was noted in core frequency, namely 1230MHz stable enough to run a round of 3DMark 03 which makes it the highest clocked graphics processor in the world so far."

"The LG BH100 is the world's first dual-format high-definition DVD player, which plays back both Blu-ray Discs and HD DVDs."

It started with bleeding edge mice that led the competition but now, Razer has gone on to adopt a wider product portfolio and the latest is the Razer Pro|Type professional keyboard.

"Everyone has heard the phrase, “Get your head in the game”. What’s a better way to get into the game than by absorbing the sound and blocking outside noises? Can a Plantronics Audio 550 DSP headset put your head into the game so that you can play the game how it’s supposed to be played? Let’s get these things on and find out!"

"Nvidia's high-end cards have been out for already months, but only recently they launched their middle price range of the 8-series cards. The fastest of the new cards is 8600GTS, the second is 8600GT and then there's the 8500GT. The family also contains Geforce 8400 and 8300 cards, but those are only available for OEM manufacturers."

Sunnyvale, Calif.—May 14, 2007—OCZ Technology Group, Inc.a worldwide leader in innovative, ultra-high performance and high reliability memory, today announced the OCZ PC2-8500 AMD CrossFire™ Reaper HPC Edition. As some of the highest performing modules on the market, the PC2-8500 CrossFire features the exclusive OCZ CrossFire edition Reaper HPC heatsink for advanced component cooling.

Tested and qualified under AMD’s renowned certification program, the PC2-8500 CrossFire series not only meets a high standard of quality, but guarantees superior compatibly with CrossFire technology. Combined with AMD’s esteemed CrossFire technology, the OCZ PC2-8500 certified series unleashes the performance potential of the entire platform.

AMD enthusiasts and system builders will love the customized look of the new Reaper kits; these modules are cooled with an exclusive AMD special Reaper HPC (Heat Pipe Conduit) heatspreader displaying AMD’s “CrossFire Certified” emblem. These unique DDR2-1066 modules feature the Reaper HPC (Heat Pipe Conduit) heatspreader which is engineered to deliver superior silent heat dissipation over traditional heatspreaders. The Reaper HPC is an innovative cooling solution developed by OCZ to effectively minimize heat produced by high-speed memory. As heat rises into the thermo-conductive copper heat pipe conduit, it is dissipated through a compact aluminum fin array. By strategically guiding performance-robbing heat away from key memory components, the unique Reaper HPC design maximizes passive cooling to improve longevity and stability of the modules.

The first certified Reaper HPC memory product available will be 2GB (2x1024MB) dual channel kits optimized for the latest CrossFire platforms. Rated to run with 5-5-5 timings, these modules offer gamers an additional performance edge over conventional DDR2-1066 memory. The CrossFire Certified Reaper 2GB kit is the supreme solution for gamers seeking the advantages of increased reliability and bandwidth management from their memory. Each OCZ PC2-8500 CrossFire Reaper module is backed by an industry leading OCZ Lifetime Warranty and technical support for unparalleled peace of mind.

Sunnyvale, Calif. -- May 14, 2007 --AMD (NYSE: AMD) today introduced the ATI Radeon HD™ 2000 series, a top-to-bottom line of ten discrete graphics processors (GPUs) for both desktop and mobile platforms. This family of GPUs delivers The Ultimate Visual Experience™ through best-in-class immersive high-definition gaming and high-definition multimedia playback.

“We set out to create a family of products that would revolutionize the graphics market by introducing leading-edge technology at game-changing price points,” said Rick Bergman, senior vice president, AMD Graphics Products Group. “We’ve delivered on this challenge, broadening the enthusiast gaming market so that more people than ever before have access to the phenomenal gaming and multimedia experiences that the ATI Radeon HD 2000 series introduces.”

Superior Performance at Every Price
The ATI Radeon HD 2000 series of products introduces immersive DirectX® 10 gaming enabling the next generation of visual effects at every price point. The line-up boasts many firsts for the graphics industry, including a powerful second-generation Unified Shader Architecture (USA), a 512 Mbit memory bus designed for full performance high dynamic range (HDR) rendering, and new Unified Video Decoder (UVD) technology for high-fidelity HD multimedia playback.1 The mid-range and entry-level GPUs are the first graphics products in the industry to use an energy-efficient 65 nm process technology to achieve silent, passive cooling, high performance and lower power consumption.2 The ATI Radeon HD 2000 series also builds on AMD’s Windows Vista™ leadership. Having been the first graphics company to introduce a WHQL driver for Windows Vista, ATI Catalyst™ drivers continue to deliver industry-leading game compatibility and an extremely stable user experience in Windows Vista™.

“This new family of GPUs from AMD delivers an immersive gaming experience for the next generation of games and applications for Windows Vista™ and DirectX® 10,” said Kevin Unangst, Global Director Games for Windows, Microsoft Corp. “Cutting-edge DirectX® 10 games combined with the ATI Radeon HD 2000 series of products are ushering in a new era of gaming on Windows.”

Immersive HD Gaming
The ATI Radeon HD 2000 series was designed to deliver compelling gameplay experiences never seen before in DirectX 10 games. The ATI Radeon HD 2000 series brings gamers astounding frame rates at all resolutions, advanced visual effects, and breathtaking realism for what AMD calls immersive HD gaming. The new cards were optimized for dynamic geometry acceleration, complex pixel processing and expanded non-graphical compute capabilities for more advanced characters and animation, more detailed environments, and more realistic real-world physics simulations. For gamers wanting even more horsepower, The ATI Radeon HD 2000 series also features native ATI CrossFire™ technology, opening the door for a wide variety of multi-GPU configurations and eliminating the need for any master cards.

SUNNYVALE, Calif. -- May 14, 2007 --Delivering a four-core foreshadowing of innovations to come for PC enthusiasts worldwide, AMD (NYSE: AMD) today unveiled the upcoming AMD Phenom™ processor family name and publicly demonstrated the first all-AMD enthusiast platform, codenamed “FASN8.” The industry’s only true quad-core client processors are expected to deliver the ultimate visual experience, especially when paired with AMD’s new DirectX 10 ATI Radeon™ HD 2000 series, which began shipping today (see related press release: “AMD Introduces the ATI Radeon™ HD 2000 Series, Delivering The Ultimate Visual Experience™ for Desktop and Mobile Platforms”). AMD expects true quad-core and dual-core AMD Phenom-based desktop systems will ship in the second half of 2007.

In a demonstration in San Francisco, AMD previewed an eight-core platform, codenamed “FASN8,” pronounced “fascinate,” to show the first AMD silicon-based next-generation eight-core platform. The demonstration platform includes two true quad-core AMD Phenom processors, the new DirectX 10 ATI Radeon HD 2900 XT, as well as an upcoming AMD next-generation, high-performance chipset, due in the second half of 2007. This platform illustrates AMD’s leadership in developing a single solution with increased levels of integration to boost real-world performance.

“AMD has always enjoyed a great bond with the enthusiast community, and the introduction of the AMD Phenom processor family will take our relationship to new heights,” said Bob Brewer, corporate vice president and general manager of AMD's desktop division. “We continue to focus on listening to and addressing users’ evolving needs. AMD is confident the performance enhancements enabled by true quad-core client technology in computing-intensive environments will allow them to realize new possibilities and find new inspiration.”

Only AMD Delivers True Quad-Core
AMD Phenom processors will be uniquely designed to facilitate intelligent uses of energy and system resources that are reliable, virtualization-ready and energy efficient, driving optimum performance-per-watt. All AMD Phenom processors will feature resources like an integrated DDR2 memory controller, HyperTransport™ technology links, and 128-bit Floating Point Units, for improved speed and performance in floating point calculations.

With the true quad-core design offered by the upcoming AMD Phenom processors, cores communicate on the die rather than through a front side bus external to the processor – a bottleneck inherent in other products that are packaging two dual-core chips to form quad-core processors. Additionally, AMD’s Direct Connect Architecture on-chip ensures that all four cores have optimum access to the integrated memory controller and integrated HyperTransport links, so that performance scales well with the number of cores. This design is also highlighted by a unique shared L3 cache for quicker data access and Socket AM2 and Socket AM2+ infrastructure compatibility to enable a seamless upgrade path.

“AMD’s quad-core processor rollout will put more computing horsepower at PC users' fingertips,” observed Nathan Brookwood, research fellow at Insight 64. “Quad-core innovations come at a time when many users are finding that the combination of Microsoft Vista™, multi-threaded applications and DirectX 10 no longer delivers the crisp performance they experienced on last year’s fastest systems running last year’s software. The AMD Phenom processor’s ability to deliver significantly more performance within the same power and thermal envelopes as its dual-core antecedents should make this quad-core processor a fitting follow-on to earlier AMD dual-core processor offerings.”

"Bottom line here folks: if you have a laptop with a broken screen and think the only solution is to either have it replaced by the manufacturer or buy a new unit, just stop and give the folks over at ScreenTek Inc a call. They will supply you with a new LCD panel and tons of instructions for the fraction of the cost of a new laptop or even a repair from the manufacturer."

Sunnyvale, CA—May 11, 2007—OCZ Technology Group, a worldwide leader in innovative, ultra-high performance and high reliability memory, today released PC2-5400 2GB SODIMM modules, an addition to their line of premium upgrade laptop memory. Though OCZ is renowned for enthusiast-driven products, their commitment to performance and quality extends to mainstream consumers looking to add value and performance to their systems.

Upgrade RAM is crucial for notebook PCs running Windows™ Vista™, as it uses a large amount of memory. Even working with another operating system, the everyday consumer using their laptop for picture editing, music, and videos can benefit from having this substantial boost in performance.

These modules are priced aggressively and targeted at the value-minded consumer. They will be available in 2GB modules rated to run 5-5-5-15 timings for exceptional system performance. PC2-5400 SODIMMs are built to provide optimal levels of compatibility using the highest quality components and testing available.

Each module comes backed with industry leading technical support and the OCZ Lifetime Warranty, ensuring complete product satisfaction for unparalleled peace of mind.

05/11/2007 – The original N4100 is the 4-bay Thecus NAS device that started it all. Renowned for exceptional performance and features, the introduction of the N4100 set a new standard for what people have come to expect from a NAS device. Today, Thecus Technology is proud to announce the N4100+, a completely updated version of the N4100 that delivers the latest Thecus innovations and functionality.

The N4100+ is powered by a 600MHz Intel® 80219 CPU and 128MB of DDR memory for exceptional data-processing capabilities. Its four hard drive bays accommodate four 3.5” SATA hard disks for up to 4TB of storage. RAID modes including RAID 0, 1, 5, and JBOD allows N4100+ users to select the level of data protection they want while optimizing performance. RAID management features such as auto rebuild, hot swap, and hot spare ensure minimal downtime, while two Gigabit Ethernet ports ensure that users can get at their data quickly.

Taipei, Taiwan, May 9, 2007 – GIGABYTE UNITED INC., a leading manufacturer of motherboards and graphics cards, today launched their new graphic accelerator, the GV-NX88U768H-B. Equipped with NVIDIA’s latest graphics processor, the GeForce 8800 ULTRA, the GIGABYTE GV-NX88U768H-B features 768 MB GDDR3 memory and 128 stream processors to provide sophisticated 3D game rendering for an enhanced level of game play. The GV-NX88U768H-B also provides High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) support, for advanced, theater-quality High-Definition video at home.

"The OCZ Equalizer is a solid gaming mouse. The ease-of-use, extra buttons, and wide range of DPI settings (all in hardware) are features that one can't ignore. Additionally, the Equalizer's creature comforts such as the "Triple Threat" button and the side/thumb grips make the mouse stand out in a crowded market"

“In the past, scanners were big, bulky, and heavy. Having a flatbed scanner at your workstation meant that a significant portion of your desk would be taken up by it. Once, I hung a shelf over my desk to be used as a perch for my scanner. The problem was somewhat eliminated at the workstation by the "all in one" printer/scanner, since more space is taken up by a printer, but forget traveling with it. Today, I will be looking at Plustek's OpticSlim M12 sheetfed color scanner, one of several scanners in PlusTek's lineup. We'll see what kind of quality we can get from a scanner that will easily fit in a briefcase or backpack.”

The 650i is a clipped down version of NVIDIA's current flagship chipset, the 680i. The 650i is aimed to give the masses the performance of the new architecture, while at the same time not breaking the bank. ECS was kind enough to send over one of their new motherboards that features the 650i chipset, the NF650iSLIT-A (V1.0).

"Going to the movies is one of America’s favorite pastimes. You can sit down and watch the big screen and feel immersed by the movie because of the surround sound. Can you get that same experience on your computer in the comfort of your own home? Let’s look into Logitech’s new X-540 5.1 surround speaker system to see if these speakers can put you into the movie, game, or studio."

"Zalman is going to release this month two new VGA coolers, ZM90-HP, which is a passive solution and thus noiseless, and VF1000, which is an active solution, i.e. uses a fan. Let’s take a quick look on these forthcoming products from Zalman."

Sunnyvale, CA—May 9, 2007—OCZ Technology Group, a worldwide leader in innovative, ultra-high performance and high reliability memory, today introduced Speed Class 6 rated memory cards to their high-performance Secure Digital™ HC (SD High Capacity) family. As higher resolution digital cameras and camcorders enter the market, faster and large-capacity memory cards are needed to take on the added size. Available in 4GB and 8GB configurations, these ultra-fast OCZ SDHC cards are ideal for the most advanced digital cameras and electronics.

OCZ SDHC cards comply with the new SDA 2.00 specifications to support capacities over 4GB. Adhering to the new speed ratings determined by the SD Association, OCZ SDHC Class 6 cards ensure a minimum write speed of 6MB/s. These large capacity cards are only compatible with SDHC compliant products and are not backwards compatible with traditional SD format devices. Increasingly more next generation devices will host SDHC memory.

“As more and more photographers make use of high end digital cameras, SDHC cards provide increased performance and image storage capacity,” said Alex Mei, Executive VP and CMO, OCZ Technology Group. “OCZ is excited to offer the newest addition to our SDHC family, Class 6 SDHC cards, which deliver superior sustained write speeds, allowing faster storage and transfer of even the largest high resolution images and video.”

All OCZ Secure Digital HC Cards come backed with a 3 year warranty for unparalleled peace of mind, upholding the OCZ commitment to quality.

Sunnyvale, Calif.—May 7, 2007—OCZ Technology, a worldwide leader in innovative, ultra-high performance and high reliability memory, today unveiled a unique memory kit for AMD enthusiasts and power users. The new PC2-5400 Titanium modules were designed exclusively for the AMD AM2 platform and are custom-tailored to the extended column address range of the AM2 memory controller. With a doubled page size, access penalties are reduced to ultimately improve system performance. Used on the AM2 platform, the architecture of these modules is particularly beneficial for large CAD model processing and memory intense graphics applications such as filters in Adobe Photoshop or video processing.

Determined to seek new ways of achieving greater system performance, OCZ developed the innovative Titanium AM2 Special kits to leverage AMD’s sophisticated DDR2 platform for enhanced real world computing experience. With 11 column address bit support by the AM2 memory controller, the number of addresses in each row or page can be as high as 2048 individual entries for a page size of 16kbit. Unlike modules based on standard 10-bit column address chips with an “8k” page size, the new Titanium AM2 Special modules take advantage of the AM2 controller’s feature set and provide a single rank solution with 2GB density using “16k” pages. This allows the controller to stay “in page” twice as long compared to standard memory architectures, thereby achieving unparalleled performance.

The PC2-5400 AM2 Special modules will be initially available in 4GB (2x2048MB) dual channel kits and are optimized for 64-bit operating systems. Each module is 100% hand-tested for quality assurance and compatibility and feature high quality, titanium-mirrored XTC (Xtreme Thermal Convection) heatspreaders for the most effective heat dissipation. As part of OCZ’s line-up of premium memory, the AM2 Special series is backed by a Lifetime Warranty and industry-leading technical support for unparalleled peace of mind.

"ZEROtherm's new fanless BTF95 CPU cooler is a bold move by a relative newcomer in this market. The butterfly design is somewhat kitschy, but I was pleasantly surprised by its cooling performance . I can certainly see a niche that this cooler fits into nicely. If quiet computing is your bag, then the BTF95 may be a butterfly worth collecting. The mounting solutions are superb and the manual is quite good."

"While INTEL continues to release quality chipset after quality chipset (with their G33 and G35 chipsets already showing up for pre-order), those who favor the NVIDIA silicon and the benefits they offer (SLI anyone?) are fairly limited. Those wanting to match a Core 2 Duo processor with SLI were forced to toss down premium money on high end 680i motherboards, or settle for the older NVIDIA 570 or 590 SLI mobos, which, while no slouches, don't feature 1333FSB support or other newer features found on NVIDIA's 680i chipset. Enter the NVIDIA 650i chipsets."

Anyone who has ever had to move a large amount of data around a few different computer systems can definitely appreciate the usefulness of removable hard drive racks. If your computer can't handle another hard drive, or upgrading an existing drive is too much of a bother, an external hard drive is a great solution to the problem.

"We overclock a golden oldie, the Athlon 3000+ was a favorite among hardware enthusiasts back in May 2005, now-a-days it's Core 2 Duo, but with the help of some Dry Ice we can extract a bit more power from this AMD CPU. Read on to find out if we reach our 100% overclocking goal"

Sitting down at a computer to play several hours of your favorite game will put your video card through the paces and this can cause performance drops as the card heats up. ZEROtherm has sent me a set of their GX815 Gamer Edition VGA coolers to test on my XFX 7900 GS cards in SLI.

Alright, let's say you've got $600 US to spend on a kick ass videocard... or videocards. :-) What are you going to get!? The nVIDIA GeForce 8800GTX is the undisputed king of graphics cards right now, but on the next notch down the GeForce 8800GTS 320MB offers a heck of a lot of value and that's hard to pass up. Doing the math, for the price of one super high end PCI Express videocard, you could have two 8800GTSs running in SLI! This is definitely an enticing option, but which route really is the faster choice?

The OCZ Trifecta is a unique SD card, it features connectors for USB, regular SD and microSD at the same time. This makes the card very useful for a variety of PDAs, mobile phones and cameras because you can easily take your data with you. With a price tag of below $30 for the 1 GB version it is not too expensive as well.

XFX’s 8800 Ultra XXX screams along at top speed leaving every other single GPU solution in the dust, there is no doubt about that. However it is safe to say that with word on the street that supply and quantities is very low, Nvidia is not expecting to sell many of these graphics cards. We have even heard from some of Nvidia’s partners in Taiwan that they do not even want to touch the tweaked G80 chip in fear that they will not sell. Nvidia believe there will be a few handfuls of ultra high-end extreme users out there that will pay the money just to have the best of the best."

The SilverStone MFP51 is a front panel LCD for any PC with an empty 5.25" bay. The LCD has a 96x16 resolution and is put in a metal enclosure that can be installed in just a few minutes. Its purpose, like any front panel LCD with a similar resolution, is to display basic information about what is going on with the system as well as to display small tidbits of information from software sources.

"The Coolermaster Aquagate Duo VIVA Watercooling Set arrived Technic3D. We look at the handling and low noise. The Cooling better for Sli and Crossfire Cards? Technic3D will see that in the following Review."

The first "certified" water cooling enabled memory modules are a reality. OCZ PC2-9200 showed superb performance with low price for such "unique" product, and earned our "Editors Choice Award"

"It's not often that I like a case in the budget range, but Codegen has done a great job in offering a quality case for a decent price. There were no sharp edges, and the features this case has to offer are great value for money. The plastic sliders for your drives are easy to use and add a great deal of functionality. The three fans included are sufficient and the included window is a nice feature as well. Overall a nice case, for a decent price. A job well done."

DirectX 10 has gone mainstream with the release of NVIDIA's GeForce 8600 and 8500 series. With NVIDIA achieving another hard product launch milestone, there are many vendors all vying for your attention. Which NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GTS should you get? We rounded up 12 contenders for your consideration.

Over Way Technology is a new company with big aspirations for cooling products in several markets, judging by this cooler they really need to be putting more effort into the PC cooling department if they want to succeed in the US market.

"the GX815 Extreme Gamer is an impressive cooler that really gets the job done. The fan noise wasn't even noticeable over the other gear inside the computer. As far GPU coolers go, I would have