Content and news by Rob Williams

Rob Williams

Rob Williams

Rob founded Techgage in 2005 to be an 'Advocate of the consumer', focusing on fair reviews and keeping people apprised of news in the tech world. Catering to both enthusiasts and businesses alike; from desktop gaming to professional workstations, and all the supporting software.

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Rob's Recent Content

Intel Hints at SSE4

Intel’s Pat Gelsinger announced today that Intel has published the white paper on its SSE4 instructions that will appear in its next-generation 45nm products. The new SSE4 instructions add 50 new performance enhancing instructions. These instructions optimize vector compiling, media, string and text processing and application targeted accelerators.

Don’t expect the benefits of SSE4 anytime soon… we won’t see it implemented until late next year in Intels 45nm chips. Glad to see SSE4 takes care of PCMPEQQ and DPPS though. I almost lost sleep over not having those in SSE3.

Published on September 28, 2006

XBOX 360 HD DVD Drive to Retail for $199 in the US

Microsoft today announced that its HD DVD add-on for the XBOX 360 will be released in the United States in mid-November with a price tag of $199.99. This comes just a week after the announcement that the drive would launch in Japan on November 22 for 19,800 yen ($170 USD).

Can’t complain about $200! Some HD-DVD players run an upwards of $700, so this is a great deal. There’s a couple things to note… first off is that instead of paying $700 for an HD-DVD player, you could pick up the Xbox 360 and this add-on for $600. On the other side of the coin, the PS3 will run around $600 also, but forces their luxury player on people.

Published on September 28, 2006

Symantec says Vista will "reduce consumer choice"

Paden’s beef is with the new Windows Security Center, an update to the control panel that made its first appearance with Windows XP’s Service Pack 2. He claims that the interface comes with default programs to handle virus protection, a software firewall, and a spyware scanner, and that the user can install replacements for these applications but not access them through the security center program.

Ahh, Symantec stirring the pot again. Though, they may have some valid points. However, the default Windows Vista as far as I know, doesn’t offer AV protection. If it did, it may reduce consumer choice, but it may actually be a good thing. Just not for Symantec.

Published on September 28, 2006

IBM, Intel Propose Innovative Extension To Popular PCI Express Computing Standard

INTEL DEVELOPER FORUM, San Francisco, Sept. 27, 2006 – IBM and Intel Corporation, with support from dozens of other companies, have developed a proposal to enhance PCI Express* technology to address the performance requirements of new usage models, such as visualization and extensible markup language (XML).

You can read the full press release here.

Published on September 28, 2006

AGEIA Joins Futuremark’s 3DMark Benchmark Development Program

Saratoga, California – September 27th, 2006 – Futuremark Corporation, the leading provider of system performance-analysis software and services for PCs and handheld devices, and AGEIA(tm) Technologies, Inc., pioneers of hardware-accelerated physics for games, announced today that Mountain View, California based AGEIA has joined the 3DMark Benchmark Development Program. Futuremark has created the 3DMark Benchmark Development Program (BDP) to build partnerships with leading PC and gaming industry stakeholders that have an interest in the development unbiased benchmark software that accurately measures the performance of next generation technology and hardware. Futuremark provides all its BDP Members with specifications and pre-production versions of its benchmarks and, in turn, evaluates the feedback provided by those members.

You can read the full press release here.

Published on September 28, 2006

AMD Opens New North American Chip Design Center

SUNNYVALE, Calif. — Sep. 28, 2006 — AMD (NYSE: AMD) today announced the opening of an advanced microprocessor development facility in Fort Collins, CO. Dubbed the “Mile High Design Center” (MHDC), the facility is the latest in AMD’s growing international network of chip design hubs. AMD plans to use the increased flexibility and efficiency provided by the MHDC to accelerate the introduction of next-generation microprocessors that are more closely aligned with the evolving priorities of customers, partners and end-users worldwide.

You can read the full press release here.

Published on September 28, 2006

Review Roundup for September 28

    Memory & Storage
  • OCZ DDR2 PC2-6400 Platinum Revision 2 – Hardware OC

    Motherboards & Processors
  • ABIT Fatal1ty AN9 32X AM2 – OC Tools
  • “AMD’s AM2 – What Went Wrong” – XYZ Computing
  • Intel D975XBX2 Motherboard Details and QX6700 Overclocking – Legit Reviews

    Peripherals & Power Supplies
  • Thermaltake ToughPower 750W Power Supply – Red & Blackness

Published on September 28, 2006

Logitech G11 Gaming Keyboard

Hardcore gamer? Then you probably are on the lookout for any product that will help you tweak your skill further, and maybe gain an advantage over the competition. If the G15 proves too expensive, or you don’t like the LED screen, this one may be up your alley.

Published on September 28, 2006

Intel "Kentsfield" Named Core 2 Quad

Contrary to what Intel roadmaps had previously indicated, Intel today officially announced the Intel Core 2 Quad processor. The Core 2 Quadro moniker that was designated earlier appears to have been changed at the last minute, as launch material from late September 2006 claimed the official product name would be Core 2 Quadro.

Is this actually a surprise? I mean.. Quadro was ok, but a simple Core 2 Quad just looks better. I look forward to seeing how they will name future processors with more than 4 cores. Core 2 Octo?

Published on September 27, 2006

Google hits number 8

It’s been 8 years since Google unleashed itself on the world wide web, and they celebrate by… changing the logo of course.

Published on September 27, 2006

Microsoft sues over source code theft

Microsoft has filed a federal lawsuit against an alleged hacker who broke through its copy protection technology, charging that the mystery developer somehow gained access to its copyrighted source code.

So, Microsoft sues to apparent source code theft, although they haven’t proved anything yet. They figure since it’s cracked so quickly, that he must have access to the code. This will prove an interesting case!

Published on September 27, 2006

SanDisk Extreme III 12 & 16GB CompactFlash

SanDisk has today announced the 12GB and 16GB Extreme III CompactFlash cards. With a minimum read/write speed of 20MB/sec, the new high capacity cards are ideal for those shooting in RAW mode or high-res JPG files.

If you want to score the 12GB version, it will only set you back $779, and $1049 for the 16GB. These are made more expensive simply because they are of the Extreme III series, but at least we are en route to cheaper high-density storage all-around.

Published on September 27, 2006

PCI GPUs are not dead… yet

VisionTek’s PCI based RADEON X1300 256 MB graphics card is a unique product that fills a unique niche. Does this PCI graphics card stack up to the PCI-Express competition? What potentials does it hold beyond 3D gaming?

Yes, a standard PCI video card review! It’s great to see this legacy support, but to charge $130? You’d have to have a very specific reason for that purchase.

Published on September 27, 2006

Best Gaming Video Cards for the Money

So if you’re a gamer who’s not excited about putting in the research to discover which card is best for you, then sit back, cross reference the amount of money you have to spend with your video card slot (AGP or PCI express) and walk away with the confidence that you’re not going to buy The Wrong Thing.

This couldn’t really be made much easier. Pick your pricepoint, and go. AGP cards are not ignored though… they are there also.

Published on September 27, 2006

Intel To Pay Up To $1 Million Bounty For Sexy, Small, Stylish PCs

INTEL DEVELOPER FORUM, San Francisco, Sept. 26, 2006 – Intel Corporation is challenging PC designers and manufacturers to think sexy, stylish and small as they design the next generation of home PCs optimized for multimedia entertainment and powered by Intel Core™2 Duo processors.

You can read the full press release here.

Published on September 27, 2006

Intel, DIRECTV Poised to Connect PCs and TVs in U.S.

INTEL DEVELOPER FORUM, San Francisco, Sept. 26, 2006 — Intel Corporation and DIRECTV, Inc., the nation’s leading satellite television service provider, today unveiled details around the world’s first digital set-top box with integrated digital media adapter (DMA) functionality verified to work with Intel Viiv™ technology. Through the integrated DMA, the DIRECTV digital set-top box will allow customers to access and enjoy their pictures and music on their TVs directly from Intel Viiv technology-based PCs.

You can read the full press release here.

Published on September 27, 2006

Review Roundup for September 27

    Memory & Storage
  • Seagate 750gb External Hard Drive with Pushbutton Backup – ClubOC
  • Transcend 2GB (2x 1024MB) DDR2-800 – Big Bruin

    Motherboards & Processors
  • Gigabyte GA-M59SLI-S5 nForce 590 SLI – PC Stats

    Peripherals & Power Supplies
  • Antec TruePower Trio 650 Watt Power Supply – Bjorn3D
  • Bluegears b-Enspirer 7.1 Sound Card – Virtual-Hideout
  • SanDisk Sansa e270 6GB MP3 Player – UK Gamers
  • Tt 7″ Retractable LCD Monitor – Overclocker Cafe

    Complete Systems, Competitions & Etcetera
  • Does the Technology Really Matter? – The Tech Zone
  • IDF Day 1 Coverage – HotHardware
  • Xitel HiFi-Link for iPod Nano – Futurelooks
Published on September 27, 2006

Intel, Omnicom Media Group Announce Collaboration…

Santa Clara, Calif., and New York, Sept. 25, 2006 – Intel Corporation and Omnicom Media Group (OMG), which includes global media agencies OMD Worldwide and PHD Network, today announced a collaboration to develop “10 foot” or large screen advertising templates for Internet-delivered advertising to TVs connected to Intel® Viiv™ technology-based computers. The effort will connect content owners and advertisers to advance how interactive, broadband-delivered advertising is best tailored to specific programming and audiences, and best presented on large screen sizes in TV-like “10 foot” viewing environments.

You can read the full press release here.

Published on September 26, 2006

Novell Introduces New Virtualization Solution Optimized for Intel Technology

NEW YORK (InfoWorld Virtualization Executive Forum) – Sept. 25, 2006 – Novell today announced the industry’s first enterprise Linux-based virtualization solution built on Xen, optimized for Intel Virtualization Technology. SUSE® Linux Enterprise Server 10 from Novell running on Dual-Core Intel Xeon platforms will provide customers with a low-cost, high-performing virtualization solution that has the ability to host Linux environments without the need to modify the guest operating systems. With the integration of Intel Virtualization Technology within Xen, Novell also announced plans to offer enterprise support for virtualized SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 9 and Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4 running on SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10, allowing Red Hat customers to migrate to Novell service and support while still running Red Hat Enterprise Linux in a virtualized environment.

You can read the full press release here.

Published on September 26, 2006

Review Roundup for September 26

Sorry for the lack of (and late) news this morning. Computer wanted to screw with me and test my patience, so I must fix it. Regular news will continue tomorrow!

    Cases & Enclosures
  • Coolermaster Mystique RC-632 – Technic3D
  • LaCie Two Big 1TB DAS Enclosure – Hexus

    Motherboards & Processors
  • Intel Shows Quad-Core Kentsfield – Legit Reviews

    Displays & Video Cards
  • Sapphire Radeon X1650 Pro – Hardware Info

Published on September 26, 2006

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