August 2008

“It pleases me to say that the price of the Moncaso 972 is more affordable than the 932 when it first launched. When the 932 was brand new, it required a $700 to $800 premium which was quite steep for many to afford. The 972 comes in at about the $500 which will attract far more users. The quality of the entire product reflects the money is well spent. Perhaps in the future, we may could see the possibility of more drive storage for dual optical drive use. Or, maybe we'll see vertically mounted drive bays to increase hard drive count as well as a hot swappable bay or two. The concepts are endless. The idea of an optional keyboard has it's pros and cons. On the one hand, you're stuck with their software and limited keyboard features. And on the other hand, if you get to pick the one you want, you're happy. The enclosure continues its legacy of refinement. It's a testament to Moneual in just how quickly their designs and concepts have grown in the HTPC market. It would seem that there is very little that can be improved upon in this enclosure. It's inspiring to think what we can expect from Moneual and the Moncaso HTPC series in the near future.”

“I really like the overall look and feel of the Nexstar MX. It’s one of the best little drive enclosures I’ve used. I don’t know if adding eSata is worth doubling the price from the previous version, but it does allow for much more than a doubling of speeds. I have been loading the MX on my PC using eSata, which takes very little time, then I access it on my laptop via USB 2.0, as my laptop does not have Sata, let alone eSata. Since I am not going to be transferring all the data off to my laptop at once, the USB 2.0 is fast enough for things like movies and even games.”

“Overall, the OCZ Elixir is a solid keyboard at a very good price. ($30 retail) The minor layout issues we had were just that - minor nitpicks. We're very picky about our keyboards. Compared with most keyboards, $30 is about average - though the Elixir is anything but average, with the plethora of additional functionality provided. True, it may not have the same level of features as the Logitech G15, but it's also far cheaper. For those that don't feel like paying too much for a keyboard, the OCZ Elixir is a solid buy.”

“The crucial link in the chain for getting the best performance from the Patriot Viper PC3-16000 2GB Memory Kit is whether or not your motherboard and processor can handle Front Side Bus increases. If your Nvidia or Intel chipset based motherboard can't give you something upwards of at least 1600 MHz FSB, then you won't really be tapping in to the bulk of the memory's potential. Nvidia 790i users can at least expect great things from the BIOS memory and CPU Bus Link option. A quick change to a memory setting or two and you're running at 2000 MHz. But, again, you'll get much better results if you at least tap in to your processor's 1600 MHz FSB potential.“

Sunnyvale, CA—August 21, 2008—OCZ Technology Group, a worldwide leader in innovative, ultra high performance and high reliability memory and components, today unveiled the latest addition to its peripherals with the Dominatrix, a top-of-the-line laser mouse for PC gamers. The OCZ Dominatrix mouse is built with the hardcore player in mind with a solid design, maximum functionality, and programmable customization unique to each user. The Dominatrix offers a competitive edge with quality ergonomics and advanced features to excel even when immersed in the most challenging gaming environments.


“We continue to rapidly diversify our product range at OCZ in order to offer an end-to-end line of high performance gaming solutions to our customers,” said Ryan Edwards, Director of Product Management. “The new Dominatrix mouse is no exception, offering world-class performance and specifications guaranteed to provide the discerning gamer and enthusiast with an unparalleled tactile control experience.”

Gaming in extremely large resolutions and fast paced battles requires a specialized mouse that is built for comfort and speed, and Dominatrix users can fine-tune the weight and balance of their mouse up to 40 grams for ultimate control. With multiple dpi settings of 2000/1600/800/400, independently adjust both “X & Y” axes for a combined maximum of 3200 dpi for lightning fast responsiveness and fluid gameplay. High speed USB 2.0 delivers a poll rate up to 500Hz and bi-directional connection for breakneck acceleration and control in any first-person shooter.

21 August 2008, Keelung, Taiwan – Lian Li Industrial Co. Ltd has launched the MAXIMA Force series of Power supply units (PSU). The MAXIMA Force offers exceptional power regulation and safety features with 80 Plus certification showing Lian Li’s commitment to quality, while exemplifying Lian Li’s attention to detail through craftsmanship. MAXIMA Force complies with the newest Intel standard ATX 12V V2.3 & EPS 12V rail systems, while the environmentally friendly design for energy saving with Active PFC (>0.9) / High efficiency (>80%) complies with the best standards and allows additional full rated power draw during overclocking sessions. Hosting a complete range from 470Watts, 650Watts and 750Watts, the MAXIMA Force PSU’s are designed with the enthusiast gamer in mind.

“BFG has a great power suppy here - not only does it look good, but it does it with performing style. For the duration of the testing, and the subsequent gaming session afterwards, performance remained solid while silence was in full effect. I found no issues with any of the cabling, or the installation of the unit - that was the fault of the unit. Overall, I would have to say that if you're in the market for a PSU at this price point ($219), BFG's ES800 is an excellent choice. While it's lack of support for Tri-SLI is definitely disappointing, it's ability to take a system with two 4870x2 or 9800GX2 cards is admirable.”

FREMONT, Calif. — Aug. 21, 2008 — To give you a more realistic driving experience on your Wii™ console, Logitech (SWX: LOGN) (NASDAQ: LOGI) today announced the Logitech® Speed Force Wireless™ racing wheel – the first force feedback wheel for the popular gaming platform. Licensed by Nintendo®, Logitech’s newest force feedback wheel works with Electronic Arts’ Need for Speed™ Undercover and paves the way for more force feedback racing titles on the Wii console.

“We’re excited to team up with Nintendo and Electronic Arts to bring driving realism to the Wii and Need for Speed Undercover,” said Ruben Mookerjee, Logitech’s director of product marketing for gaming. “Logitech has been at the forefront of force feedback technology for more than a decade, and we’re confident that our driving platform will be an indispensable part of the racing experience on Wii as more titles that support it become available.”

Sunnyvale, CA—August 18, 2008—OCZ Technology Group, a worldwide leader in innovative, ultra-high performance and high reliability memory and components, today announced the ModXStream Pro, a superior gaming-grade power supply series that offers consumers a combination of OCZ’s cutting-edge PSU architecture and an efficient modular cable management system. Designed for enthusiasts and gamers in 400W, 500W, 600W, and 700W configurations, the ModXStream Pro is built for unparalleled stability and will provide optimal high-performance power to the latest GPUs and CPUs while promoting a tidy case environment.

The ModXStream Pro Series is the superlative solution for driving today's gaming systems, and can power both NVIDIA® SLI™ and ATI CrossFire™ modes. Professional-grade yet designed with gamers and modders in mind, this PSU is stable, robust, and sports a sleek look and compact form factor. Kept ultra-cool with a load-controlled 120mm fan, the ModXStream Pro was engineered to be the quietest PSU available and eliminate distracting noises from your PC. Highly efficient, featuring up to 86% efficiency at typical load and up to 82% at full load, this leading-edge power supply remains rock solid and powerful while retaining superior efficiency under load.

Fremont, CA - August 19, 2008 - Antec, Inc., the leading global provider of high-performance components for the gaming, PC Upgrade and Do-It-Yourself markets, today announced that it is launching a new line of standard components for the mobile computing market. These interchangeable components-known as common building blocks and developed according to a common set of specifications initiated by Intel-continue Antec's legacy as a pioneer in standards-based computing components and extend its reach into the fast-growing portable computing market. The announcement marks the first time that system builders will be able to build customized, personalized laptops from individual components, in the same way they do now with server and desktop PCs.

“We've seen many laptop/notebook coolers here at VH since we started getting into reviewing mobile items awhile back. Some decent, most not so decent. Well today I have for you a new entry into the notebook cooler segment from NZXT called the Cryo LX. The beauty is definitely unique. Not just because it'll support a 17" widescreen notebook with ease, or because it sports three 120mm fans, or even because it's made of aluminum. What makes this unit unique is the ability to fold it virtually in half! That's just a few of the nice features of this new Cryo LX. Let's check out some more...”

08/18/2008 – Beginning with the introduction of the N4100 NAS device, Thecus has rocked the world of digital storage with innovation after innovation. Today, Thecus is proud to reveal the brand new 4-bay NAS – N4100 PRO. With powerful new RAID options, a built-in LCD, and vastly improved data throughput, the N4100 PRO ups the ante once again with increased usability, functionality, and performance.

Powered by the AMD Geode™ LX800 processor and 256MB of DDR400 memory, the N4100 PRO delivers the raw horsepower required to transfer files quickly and efficiently. With updated hardware and a ton of performance improvements, the data transfer speed of N4100 PRO doubles that of the original N4100! Four 3.5" SATA hard disk bays enable up to 4TB of storage, and users can manage this space with an updated list of RAID mode selections, including 0, 1, 5, 6, 10 and JBOD. The N4100 PRO also offers advanced RAID management features, including RAID expansion and RAID level migration for ultimate flexibility. To top it off, the N4100 PRO comes equipped with a big, bright LCM module, which displays useful status messages such as IP address, date and time, and RAID status, making it easy for users to keep an eye on the condition of their N4100PRO. With features like these, the N4100 PRO is easier to manage than ever.

Banchetto 101 is Microcool's response to the needs of untold modding devotees and PC professionals. The fruit of two years of development, Banchetto 101 represents a veritable revolution in the domain of cases. Open, light and transparent, its innovative structural design enables easy access to all components of the system, and allows rapid substitutions and total real-time monitoring. In addition to the main features of the PC, Banchetto 101 has been designed to integrate internally, in a safe and functional manner, the installation of water cooling. Microcool has invented the first case that is not an obstacle to your desire to experiment. Banchetto 101: the case that is there but that you cannot see!

City of Industry, CA – August 8, 2008 – Sans Digital, a brand of high performance storage subsystems, is introducing the 2-bay storage enclosure TR2UT-B, to complete its TowerRAID series. The separate release of the TS2UT-B places emphasis on its dual interfaces and hardware RAID capabilities that differ from the rest of the TowerRAID series.

The TR2UT-B is a 2-bay RAID enclosure that supports USB 2.0 as well as eSATA connections. It features four different RAID modes (RAID 0, 1 Spanning and JBOD), and is the smallest unit of the TowerRAID series where the RAID function is built-in. The TR2UT-B utilizes the Silicon Image 5744 chipset and operates RAID functions without additional hardware installed to the computer. The RAID modes are selectable by an easy access RAID switch located on the rear panel. The unit utilizes a cable-less backplane design, and connects up to two hard drives with a single cable. The unit is designed with a dust-free front panel keeps the hard drives out of sight, while maintaining the effectiveness of hard drive ventilation. Hard drive trays are omitted for simple and secure hard drive installation. The overall design of the TR2UT-B is clean, simple, and extremely lightweight, which blends in well with the rest of the TowerRAID series.

“It IS a great sink in terms of quality, and usability. Anyone can install it, and almost anyone would appreciate it's appearance, yet it's performance and cost are found to be lacking. If you could find this heatsink on sale it would turn out to be a great buy, but otherwise... I'm not sure exactly what would motivate users to purchase it, other than an unusual fondness for Zalman, and a wee case.”

Sunnyvale, CA—August 14, 2008—Responding the demands of enthusiasts and high-performance mobile computing consumers, OCZ Technology Group, Inc., a worldwide leader in innovative, ultra-high performance and high reliability memory and computer components, today unveiled the newest addition to their industry-leading OCZ Core Series SATA II 2.5” Solid State Drives. The Core Series has established OCZ as a pioneer in the SSD market by offering consumers the benefits of solid drives technology at an affordable price. With the industry continuously shifting in this direction, OCZ strives to place its Core Series at the forefront.

“OCZ continues the trend of enabling consumers with the latest in cutting edge solid state disc technology with the introduction of the new Core V2 SSD,” said Ryan Petersen, CEO of the OCZ Technology Group. “As SSD technology progresses, OCZ will continue to release updated and enhanced solutions to ensure our customers stay on the leading edge. The new Core V2 drives offer consumers and system integrators increased capacities up to 250GB, improved read and write performance and faster seek time, all coupled with a new mini USB port empowering customers with the ability to further improve performance and compatibility by updating firmware in the future.”

The Scythe Ninja2 CPU Cooler SCNJ-2000 offers top cooling performance without the noise! The new Ninja 2 comes with a 120mm fan, but you say you want NO NOISE? Not a problem, as you can run this heatsink with no fan. The secret to the Ninja's cooling power is the 6 copper heat pipes that effectively transfer heat to the aluminum cooling fins. The large surface area of the cooling fins help to dissipate the heat more quickly.

Xigmatek HDT-S1283 CPU Cooler - The HDT-S1283 CPU Cooler has garnished many excellent awards and recommendations in cooling benchmarks and reviews. This cooler features H.D.T (Heat-pipe Direct Touch) which offers better cooling due to the direct contact between the copper heat pipes and processor. The HDT-S1283 includes a 120mm cooling fan, anti-vibration fan screws, spoiler design, and easy installation.

“The Venders area was a lot smaller than the last Quakecon I attended in 2k5, I don’t really know the reason why. The big Intel/Dell/Alienware trailer always had a lot of attention, tournaments and giveaways. AMD/ATI took up the largest area, with gaming stations on all 4 corners, and a small stage in the middle.”

Lakewood, CA – August 12, 2008 1:45 PM Pacific Standard Time - Rouchon Industries, Inc. dba Swiftech® today announced the release of their new flagship waterblock. The Apogee™ GTZ aims at capturing the world’s top performance crown thanks to an entirely new design which features a pin matrix composed of 225 µm (0.009") micro structures, and a patent pending topographically mapped cold plate. The product is shipped with a tool free retention mechanism for Intel® Core™ families of microprocessors (LGA 775) and Swiftech® offers optional retention systems for all popular desktop as well as many server processors by AMD® and Intel®. The Company expects the Apogee™ GTZ to be compatible and equally effective with the upcoming and highly anticipated Intel® processor code named “Nehalem” thanks to an optional retention mechanism. “While the Apogee™ GTZ retains the name of its very successful predecessors, it leaps ahead of both relatives and competitors by consolidating Swiftech’s ten years experience with months of research & development, and it represents a manufacturing achievement that is nothing short of a technological prowess.” said Gabriel Rouchon Swiftech's Chairman & CTA. The product is being shipped to the distribution channels now.

El Monte, CA – August 11th, 2008 – NZXT, a company built on realizing the dreams of gamers worldwide, is proud to announce the Avatar high performance gaming mouse. As with all of NZXT’s PC accessories, Avatar is designed to provide gamers with the ultimate crafted gaming armor to emerge victorious in the gaming arena of choice. Avatar provides extreme enhancements to gameplay with the following breakthrough features…
• Optimal performance – 2600 DPI Optical Sensor provides maximum sensitivity and responsiveness which yields unparalleled gaming accuracy. LED DPI indicator gives the user improved usage and feedback. 5.8 Mega Pixels/second with a max frame rate of 6469 ensures smooth fragging and accurate sniping. 4 Speed DPI switch enables you to go from slow sniper movement to quick attack movement in a matter of seconds
• Maximum Customization – 7 programmable keys allows gamers to customize their configuration specifically for First-Person Shooters, Real-Time Strategy, or Massive Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games all within the macro and profile settings
• Ergonomic Design – Ambidextrous design gives full use to both right and left handed gamers. Rubber grip helps avoid slipping during intense gameplay and the small, light form factor allows for faster and quicker movements.
• Simple Installation – Avatar plugs into any available USB port

“The Zalman ZM750-HP Power Supply passed testing and all my methods to melt it down. It's rated to 750 Watts and doesn't come up short in any power rail. If four 12v rails offering 20 amps each isn't enough, then consider Zalman's 850 or 1000 watt Heat Pipe models. Most users are going to find this PSU far more capable for their SLI based systems and endless drive arrays. It's a silent, clear winner from a name trusted by enthusiasts the world over. You can rest easy that the Zalman 750 Watt Heat Pipe Power Supply can fulfill its purpose.”

“These two things, though quite bad on their own, don't obscure the wall of pros that come hurling along with this chassis. Firstly, is the complete modularity, and secondly is the included hardware - being able to fit 11 hard drives which are cooled off the bat is incredible, especially when they're actively cooled. Couple this with the fact that this is one of so very few cases at this price point which are capable of holding an extended ATX system, and the fact that when the door works, the inbound airflow is filtered, the result becomes a very good deal, despite the flaws.”

“You can't really put a label on this motherboard or designate it for any particular kinds of users. There are far too many useful features that you don't find on your typical budget motherboards. And while many professional motherboards also tend to offer the bare essentials, that's not what you get here. At this price, you can't go wrong if you're on a budget and really want a good quality motherboard. It's going to be really tough topping this one with anything else.”

Sunnyvale, CA—August 6, 2008—Addressing the never ending need for greater amounts of system memory, OCZ Technology Group, Inc., a worldwide leader in innovative ultra-high performance and high reliability memory, today announced all new “P45 Special” 4GB modules, a module density optimized specifically for Intel®’s latest chipset. Available in 8GB dual channel kits and a special 16GB “quad kit,” this new line of modules support the latest memory-hungry applications and games, offering superior performance gains. As an industry first, OCZ brings memory densities to the desktop segment that were reserved previously for high-end server configurations, offering a unique range of high-density kits to suit the varying requirements and budgets of everyday consumers.

Taipei, Taiwan, August 2008 - The leading storage solution provider QNAP Systems, Inc. today announced the new 5-bay TS-509 Pro Turbo NAS, the new generation all-in-one NAS server for SMB and enterprises. Powered by Intel Celeron 1.6GHz CPU, 1GB DDRII memory, the TS-509 Pro delivers superior performance for multiple business applications and intensive concurrent data access. The Linux OS and applications of the NAS are embedded in the flash DOM that higher stability is guaranteed. Moreover, the dual Gigabit LAN ports can be configured as Failover, Load balancing, or serving two different subnets which enables more deployment options in a business network environment. With versatile server features, best-in-class RAID data protection, and rock-solid hot swappable hard drive design, the TS-509 Pro brings business nowadays a truly new experience of instant data access and sharing, a protected mass storage, value-plus server features at the lowest maintenance cost.

“Today I have for review a new product from Kingston. It's a 3GB (2x1.5GB) HyperX DDR2-5300 Low Latency (4-4-4-12) memory kit designed for notebook installations! Now you don't have to be limited to your desktop rig to have great brand name and performance memory. My current laptop, an HP DV9500T had 2GB DDR2-667Mhz and now runs on this 3GB Kingston kit. Let's see how I got there...”

Fremont, California, USA, August 5, 2008 - Patriot Memory, a global provider of premium quality memory module and flash memory solutions, today announced that their Extreme Performance DDR3 PC3-12800 1600MHz Viper Series memory kits are Intel® XMP certified. Designed for Intel's® technology-based PC's, Extreme Memory Profiles (XMP), is a performance-packed expansion of the standard DDR3 specification, which is a robust, easy-to-use overclocking tool. This optimizes system performance for consumers looking to get the most out of their systems.

"It's exciting to see Intel's® adoption into the overclocking market with the introduction of their Extreme Memory Profiles (XMP) technology," says Les Henry, Technical Director for Patriot Memory. "Consumers looking to get the most out of their systems can now purchase Intel® XMP certified memory and rest assured that they will get an easy-to-use, high-performance overclocking tool to optimize their systems. Patriot's DDR3 PC3-12800 1600MHz Intel® XMP certified memory gives consumers not only an easy-to-configure overclocking memory kit, but rated at 1600MHz, a blazing fast memory kit for today's memory bandwidth hungry applications."

Fremont, California, USA, August 4, 2008 - Patriot Memory, a global provider of premium quality memory module and flash memory solutions, today announced the release of their newest product, Vortex. Vortex, an active cooling fan, is designed to increase stability and performance of overclocked memory for PC enthusiasts and gamers by lowering memory module temperatures.

"Patriot's Vortex active cooling fan is the perfect way to help keep your memory operating at optimal performance," said Les Henry, Technical Director of Patriot Memory. "Heat is a major enemy when it comes to high-performance overclocking memory. By adding airflow directly over the memory, Vortex can lower module temperatures up to 30%. This means potentially higher performing memory with increased stability for running today's complex multi-threaded applications which require high-bandwidth, low-latency memory."

6,August 2008- GlacialTech Inc, today announces the availability of BR40 Light Emitting Diode (LED)light – the LED-BR40 Globes come in three model which range in brightness from low, to medium to high. The LED -BR40 bulbs are designed to replace the equivalent 80W BR40 globes and lamps available in markets today. Using lower wattage compared with the original product, 840Lux for the high brightness globe at a distance of 1m. The innovative product incorporates the same structure and style of traditional BR40 bulbs but delivers a brighter performance per watt, with less heat radiation. The LED BR40 Globe can be used for general everyday use, and incorporates all the latest luminary technology garnered from GlacialTech’s unique resources; combining years of experience in designing cooling systems as well as all manner of consumer electronic device power supplies.

“One of the last cases to make a hit with the enthusiasts was the recent Antec Nine Hundred. To give you a little recap, it offered front Dual Blue LED 120mm fans along with two internal 120mm fans, a unique side window with the optional 120mm cut out behind the black screen, 200mm top exhaust fan, top mounted front panel ports, and looked pretty cool. You can still find them on several shelves and makes one heck of a mid-tower case. After patiently waiting, we received word that the Antec Twelve Hundred was finally on the way. If you liked the Nine Hundred and just about bought one, you'll really appreciate the Twelve Hundred. It's one of those cases you might just have to have.”

“Well, I'm back yet again. A scant few weeks ago, I took a look at Thermaltake's fairly good ProWater 850i kit, making just one observation - performance could probably see a great improvement if another, larger radiator had been added. While this concept had in fact been done before on their BigWater 745i, it was stunted by mediocre radiators, a weaker pump, and an older waterblock. Considering that two of these three factors were corrected in the 850, logic would dictate that throwing the third improvement in would make this kit really shine. Though it's a shame that I don't have the older kits on hand to give a performance review against, I feel that this pair of reviews should give users a good idea of the performance they stand to gain, provided they have the desire, and the space to plumb a second radiator, as well as a videocard waterblock into the loop. That being said, let's crack open the box and see just what a $70 upgrade entails.”