Content and news by Rob Williams

In its continuing efforts to improve its next generation operating system, Microsoft has released another interim build of Windows Vista to testers. Build 5456 is a rather large jump from Windows Vista Beta 2 (Build 5384.4) and offers a number of improvements which are sure to be welcomed by users.

Considering it’s a ‘large’ jump, I have to wonder why MS decided to pin an outdated build on the public. Either way, if it is indeed a large jump, then we should be in good shape by later this year.

ATI’s upcoming RV560 and RV570 will find its way into single-board, dual-GPU CrossFire configurations. Since the GPU cores have integrated composite engines, the cards are capable of Crossfire support directly on the card.

While this seems like a great idea, it seems to be only the X1600 series that will be dual. It will be interesting to see how the price compares to the X1900 series on launch… if there is one that is.

Warren Buffet , the world’s second richest man, announced over the weekend that he will soon donate 85% of his entire net worth, weighing in at around $37 Billion, to charities, with over 80% of it going to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. This makes it the single largest monetary donation in history.

Now that’s what I call a generous contribution. Could this be due to the fact that Bill Gates recently announced his stepping down, and desire to put more time into the foundation?

SUNNYVALE, CALIF. – June 26, 2006 – AMD (NYSE: AMD) announced today
broad software developer support for its upcoming four-core,
multi-socket enthusiast platform, codenamed 4×4. Leading software
developers including Bioware, Cakewalk, Crytek, Havok, Irrational Games,
Midway, NERO and Sony have been working on software applications and
games to take advantage of multi-core processors and benefit from AMD’s
Direct Connect Architecture.

You can read the full release here.

Cases & Enclosures
• Antec NSK2400 Desktop PC Case – Think Computers
• SunbeamTech Silent Storm Case – Pro-Clockers
• VIZO Luxon 3.5″ IDE/SATA Hard Drive Enclosure – ExtremeMHz

Cooling
• Jing Ting Chipforce JTS-0006 Chipset Cooler – Big Bruin
• Thermaltake Safari BX-01 BTX CPU Cooler – Motherboards.org
• Zaward Square Cooler – Technic3D

Memory & Storage
• AData USB Fingerprint Security Drive – Overclocker Cafe
• ATP Pro Max 1GB Compact Flash Card – Think Computers
• Mushkin Redline XP2 8000 DDR2 SDRAM – Bjorn3D

Motherboards & CPU’s
• ASUS M2N32-SLI Deluxe AM2 – Virtual-Hideout
• EPoX EP-9U1697 GLI – Overclockers Online
• EPoX EP-9U1697 GLI Pictorial – Rojak Pot

Peripherals & Power Supplies
• Krait Mouse – Game Apex
• Logitech V400 Cordless Notebook Mouse – ASE Labs
• Silverstone ST75ZF: PSU for Quad-SLi! – Technic3D

Video Cards & Monitor
• Crossire: ATI’s Answer to SLI – Tech-Hounds
• HIS X1300 512MB DDR2 Dual DVI PCI Express – Bona Fide Reviews

Etcetera, Complete Systems & Contests
• innovatek Dual Inline Digital Wasserthermometer – Cooling-Station
• Contest: Last Call – Cooler Master AquaGate Mini R120 – Overclockers Online
• Sony VAIO VGN-SZ150P/C – HotHardware

It’s no secret. Gamers depend on a superior mousepad in order to help them play better. So it’s no wonder that we see countless options on the market, a few being from SteelPad. The 5L is unique, in a few different ways. Does it’s uniqueness work in it’s favor?

Well you have seen all the hardware from Computex, but how about the booth babes? You know some of these girls get paid $250 per day to wear skimpy outfits and show off hardware. We have around 100 photos of these ladies doing what they do best so check them out!

How can you resist such an article? Check it out at Think Computers.

The last time we had took a look at Mandriva was back in the
Mandrake 9.2 days. Anyhow, with the first Alpha release now out for
Mandriva 2007 Alpha, we decided to fire up the GNOME candidate to see
how it looks these days. Some of the new items in Mandriva 2007 Alpha
include X.Org v7.1, Linux 2.6.16.20, GNOME 2.15, and many other
open-source software updates. Plenty of new features and changes can be
found in this development release.

You can check out the first look over at Phoronix.

Coolermaster has done a fantastic job with the Mystique 631 with its great many options. With its plentiful and standard options, the Mystique will serve any kind user whether you are an enthusiast or looking to change your home or professional computer appearance to something that suggests refinement.

Check out the full review a tVirtual-Hideout.

Overall this cooler impressed it keeps up the Akasa Evo Brand reputation for being good quality fan based coolers. (Oh yes it looks pretty good as well) don’t worry though if bright lights are not your thing as the Evo98’s light is not a bright one just a mellow cool blue. I really wish though it was 120mm fan compatible as I reckon it would be a better cooler with a larger 120mm fan, having said that it is excellent.

Check out the full review at Xtreme Computing.

Out of the box, the I-Star S-8 Storm Series ATX Case looks quite attractive.
While beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I’ve never been one for lights,
bells, whistles or sirens. The front plastic bezel is textured with vertical
lines, and brushed aluminum dash plates are a very nice touch. Ventilation
holes are strategically stamped along the side panel of the case.

Check out the full review at ModTheBox.

AMD is expected to be spending upwards of $3.5 billion by the time the plant is finished. The plant is going to be home to more than 1000 employees and AMD says it should be completed sometime in 2010. In previous reports circulating online, it was indicated that New York state had been busy putting together an incentive package for AMD worth somewhere around the $1 billion mark. For New York state, having AMD build a new facility will introduce a big boost for the economy — new jobs are created and the state gets more taxes.

Things are looking even better for AMD. With a fab in NY, it may mean quicker releases, but possibly lower prices on these shores?

Once upon a time, finding a versatile compact case that you would be proud to be seen with was nearly impossible. Then in buzzes the Ultra MicroFly Micro ATX Case. This attractive, all-aluminum case can house any micro ATX motherboard, and yet accepts standard depth optical drives and ATX power supplies due to being 1.5″ deeper than comparable cases.

Check out the full review at Virtual-Hideout.

It is time yet again where the next Fedora Core installment
(this time, Core 6) begins to grab the attention of red-hat-wearing
penguins and other GNU/Linux enthusiasts. Yesterday was the inaugural
test release of Fedora Core 6, which is targeted at die-hard Fedorians,
and any other users wishing to get a glimpse at what Fedora Core 6 will
hold in store. Of course, Fedora Core 6 Test 1 is not a stable release
for use with production machines, so proceed at your own risk. We have
been experimenting with Fedora Core 6 Test 1 for about 24 hours now, and
have a few thoughts to share. Fedora Core 4 Stentz shaped up to be a
competitive release, and Fedora Core 5 Bordeaux continues to be one of
the best Linux distributions to date, so how will Fedora Core 6 fare in
this competitive open-source world?

If you are an FC fan, check out the writeup at Phoronix.

The SP-600W Rocketeer IV is being marketed as a “modular cable, SLI-ready, gaming PSU”. As of this writing, if you look at the Rocketeer IV at Spire’s site, it is advertised as being “darkgrey titanium colored” (this one is definitely black), and the advertised specs are somewhat different (lower) than the ones on this PSU.

Check out the full review at OCIA.

Modders-Inc is entering their 2nd and final week of the Cooler Master iGreen power supply giveaway. The Cooler Master iGreen power supply is setting the standards for all other power supply’s to follow. Entering the giveaway is quick and easy, so check it out!

You can check out the full details at Modders-Inc.

The Thermaltake Eureka Case looks great with excellent features. It has 5×5.25″ and 2×3.5″ external drive bays, and 5×3.5″ internal drive bays. There is plenty of room to work on the inside and the motherboard tray is removable. The included two 120mm fans provide fantastic air circulation which is crucial. It even fits an extended ATX motherboard. This product has home server written all over it. Watch the Video to find out more…

Check out the full review at 3D Gameman.

Today 3DXtreme is pleased to present our latest hardware review of a recently released mid-tower Case from Cooler Master. Cooler Master has long been known for delivering some of the highest quality Cases to the market. The ATC series was a personal favorite of mine and I owned three of them over the years. When heat and the need for more space shifted my focus to full-tower Cases I was sad to have to leave my ATC Cases behind. Today’s Case, the Mystique 631, is an aluminum mid-tower available in a silver or black brushed aluminum finish. Weighing in at a mere 13.9 lbs it was refreshing to review a Case this light yet this well constructed. It has been awhile since I’ve seen a lightweight Case that was made of aluminum come in for a review.

Check out the full review at 3D Xtreme.

The Cooler Master Centurion 540 is a mATX case with a sleek aluminum front, sporting very nice blue LEDs and a black fan grill. While the outside appearance leaves nothing to be desired, the inside does not disappoint either. The hardware installation is a breeze and the great fan mounting positions make it an ideal candidate for water cooling. The case definitely has the Cooler Master quality, but still a very affordable price tag.

Check out the full review at techPowerUp!.

The Earth is the hottest it has been in at least 400 years, probably even longer. The National Academy of Sciences, reaching that conclusion in a broad review of scientific work requested by Congress, reported Thursday that the “recent warmth is unprecedented for at least the last 400 years and potentially the last several millennia.”

It looks like the 1° increase in the atmosphere is our fault. No surprise there.