Content and news by Rob Williams

NVIDIA DECIDED to cancel its upcoming G70 Ultra card, a real shocker. We checked this news really well as it sounded crazy to us at first place. However, there is good business sense behind that hard decision.

Nvidia knows that ATI can no ship many R520 XT’s running at 600/1400MHz and therefore won’t get into relaunching a new faster clocked G70 chip. The G70 Ultra was supposed to be a faster version of G70 card based on existing 110 chip, just clocked faster.

This news does make sense, but it could mean that when ATI releases the R520, it *could* be faster than the 7800GTX. Of course, they will be in very scarce quantities, while the 7*00 series are not. Check out the posting at The Inquirer.

Why get an Apple iPod when so many people already own one? If you are someone who likes to buck the trend, maybe something black and glassy will suit you better.

Today, Bestia reviews the Olympus m:robe MR-100 digital audio player! Boasting a capacity of 5GB and an internal lithium-ion battery in a light, compact package, could this be the player for you?

I actually like the look of this player much more than the iPOD. Check out the full review at Rojak Pot.

MARKHAM, Ontario – Sept. 7, 2005 – Novell today announced SUSE* Linux 10.0 will be available in retail and online stores in early October 2005. SUSE Linux 10.0 is uniquely designed among Linux* distributions to create an easy, user-friendly experience, delivering everything that enthusiasts and home users need to get started with Linux. In addition to a full featured desktop, SUSE Linux 10.0 includes more than 1,500 open source Linux applications and packages that can be optionally installed for advanced Web hosting, application development and home networking. The retail version comes with installation support and comprehensive manuals to help users get the most out of Linux at a very low cost. As a result, both home users and developers who want to leverage the power, security and reliability of Linux can tap SUSE Linux 10.0 as a cost-effective choice for their core computing needs.

The full featured desktop delivered in SUSE Linux 10.0 includes the newest version of the popular Firefox Web browser; the latest version of the Windows-compatible OpenOffice.org 2.0 office suite; email and instant messaging clients; graphics creation, editing, and management applications; plus important security tools like spam blockers, anti-virus software and an integrated firewall. Among the numerous new and updated features are the Beagle desktop search engine and Amarok with MP3 support out of the box.

Check out the full press release for the product here! You can be sure, as this is my favorite distro, to see a review of the product after release, here on the site.

The Maxpoint/ENERMAX Whisper II EG565P-VE FMA(24P) model is a
Power supply designed to meet today’s power requirement needs and at the
same time keep a low level of fan noise. With ATX +12V Ver 2.0, Dual 12v
(18A) rails, Support for 2 PCI-Express cards, and a myriad of of safety
protection features this PSU also touts a whisper quiet operation with
manual fan speed control.

Check out the full review at CaseModGod.

Recently AMD launched it’s fastest single-core processor to date based on the little by little becoming trendy Socket 939 design, it runs at no less than 2.8 GHz, has 1 MegaByte Level 2 cache memory and sorry for the wording, is bitching fast … can you guess already what we are talking about ? That’s right, the AMD Athlon 64 FX-57 and today Guru3D.com is presenting you the review as always from a gamers point of view of course with loads of gaming tests and compare performance to CPU’s like the Pentium 3.6 GHz and the Athlon 4000+.

Check out the in-depth review here.

We’re announcing that we’re going to be donating all subscriptions money we receive until November 30th 2005 to Red Cross and their relief efforts. So all people need to do is subscribe for $9.95 and we will donate that amount to Red Cross while still proved a subscription to the donator.

Check it out more info at PCE Mag.

It seems that Chaintech hasn’t excluded any features on this new and very affordable motherboard. It is actually equipped with everything you need for a fast, stable, reliable computer. Though it doesn’t have PCI-e slot it does offer an AGP 8X slot. Our recent survey shows that most users are still using AGP based systems; so plenty of life remains for the AGP market with ATI just releasing the mid level X800GT and their current flagship X850 lineup. If you are on a budget for a new board but you already own a high-end AGP card, then this board might be just what you are looking for.

Check out the full review at NGOHQ!

Great idea for a design is the Tribe but let down by such a low power water pump. While the Thermaltake Tribe design might not be to your personal taste it will appeal to a lot of people because the Tribe is different and attractive but the poor cooling performance lets it down.

Check out the full review of this great looking cooler at A1 Electronics.

If you believe you have the messiest desk/workspace, be sure to come in and show it! You’ll win some great prizes while you’re at
it too! You have only one week left so hurry!

Check out all the details, and some entries already there, at the InsaneTek forums!

Introducing the Titan Robela WaterCase deluxe water-cooling
chassis, the first computer case ever to feature a truly integrated
water-cooling solution. Can true integration translate to better cooling performance?

Head over to A True Review for the full look at this advanced case. Expect our review of the Robela next week.

There comes a time, when a stock video card cooler just doesn’t cut it. To get lower temps or better overclocks, you need specially designed coolers to help you achieve what you need. Evercools Nighthawk VGA Cooler, like all others, promise to offer superb cooling, for a great price. Let’s dive right in.

Looking for an ATI-based midrange challenger to NVIDIA’s 6600 GT? Read inside for our review of the PowerColor X800 GT, which utilizes a brand new VPU from ATI that takes direct aim at NVIDIA’s mainstream leadership position.

Check out the full review at Hard|OCP!

Seagate’s warranty is among the best I’ve seen at five years, which is much better than the one year or so that comes with laptops (and thus their hard drives) or the three years offered by others. Performance is what this drive is targeted to excel at, an it seems to do so fairly well. In our tests we saw it do markedly better than the Hitachi drive in most tests that focused on performance. Battery life was slightly lower than that of the Hitachi drive but within 2% of that drive.

Head on over to Viper Lair for the full review!

Logitech has once again announced even more releases, and this time it is four new mice!

Logitech® MX™610 Laser Cordless Mouse (MSRP: $59.99)
The world’s first smart mouse – 2.4 GHz digital cordless technology and
on-board microprocessor make it capable of two-way communication with the
computer

• Smart power management: The MX610 mouse knows when the computer is on
  or off and mimics the computer’s status – it can save power by turning
  itself off when the PC is dormant. The mouse can tell people when their
  mouse battery is low by illuminating the battery indicator light on the
  mouse.
• E-mail and IM notification: The MX610 mouse notifies people when they
  receive an important e-mail or instant message by illuminating lights on
  the mouse. People can press the buttons below these mice to quickly launch
  an e-mail or IM application.
• Logitech 2.4 GHz digital cordless technology: The MX610 mouse can
  sense when there is wireless interference, then change channels to
  establish the most secure connection. This technology also extends range up
  to 30 feet.
• Performance laser tracking: With unmatched precision and control, the
  mouse works flawlessly on surfaces where optical mice can’t go

Logitech® V400 Laser Cordless Mouse for Notebooks (MSRP: $49.99)
High-performance, rugged notebook PC mouse designed to work virtually
anywhere – whether it’s at home, in the conference room, or on a weekend
expedition.

• Structural stability, unique design: built to withstand accidental
  drops, kicks, and scuffs with shock-resistant, dual-injected rubber rails
  and a structural roll bar, which help protect the embedded key plate
• Dual laser tracking: the V400 will track on virtually on surface
• 2.4 GHz digital cordless technology provides a robust wireless
  connection – and range of 30 feet
• Plug-and-play USB micro-receiver tucks away neatly inside the mouse’s
  storage slot when not in use, so that it never gets lost
• Advanced Power Management System: integrated battery light indicator
  and the mouse automatically turns off when the receiver is inserted into
  the storage slot – helping to extend battery life

Check out the full press release for all four mice here!

Patriot’s Extreme Performance PDC1G5600ELK dual channel DDR memory is some of the fastest on the market, and it most certainly caters towards enthusiast users. On its website, Patriot Memory takes the progressive step of stating that these PDC1G5600ELK modules are tuned to run on the DFI LANParty NF4 motherboard – essentially what we have here is DDR performance tuned for a specific AMD Athlon64 platform. There is a good reason for selecting the DFI LANParty NF4-series motherboards over all others, they are among the best overclocking motherboards in recent history.

Head on over to PC Stats for the full review!

FRANKFURT, Germany, Sept. 6, 2005… Steganos GmbH, a leading provider of
security and privacy software for consumers and small to medium-sized
businesses, today announced the immediate availability of Steganos Internet
Anonym(TM) 2006 in the North American market.

Steganos Internet Anonym 2006 is designed for Internet users who want to
surf and upload/download information from FTP sites anonymously, while
simultaneously eliminating traces of their PC and Internet surfing activity.
The product — formerly known as Steganos Internet Anonym Pro — now offers
the following new features and enhancements:

• Anonymous Surfing on HTTPS Pages like eBay: Thanks to the new support of
  secure SSL connections, users can now pull up eBay or other encrypted Web
  pages anonymously.
• Anonymous FTP Uploads and Downloads: Secure FTP servers enable users to
  upload and download information without revealing their identity.
• Faster Web Surfing: The software’s intelligent server check automatically
  selects the fastest proxy server, thus speeding up users’ surfing
  experiences.
• 3D View of “Proxy Roulette”: A 3D globe shows users the constantly
  changing location of the proxy servers that are masking their real IP
  addresses.
• Elimination of More Than 200 Internet and PC Traces: Now users can delete
  more traces of past activity like browser history (including Firefox), AIM
  and other messengers, Google toolbar and desktop searches, Media Player
  music lists, search requests submitted to exchanges and much more.
• Behind-the-Scenes Trace Destruction and Useful Default Settings: If so
  desired, users can opt to have trace destruction conducted unnoticed in the
  background while they continue to work. Moreover, new default settings
  enable them to select different types of traces (e.g., browser traces) with
  one mouse click for instant removal. And it’s now possible for users to
  save their own trace destruction settings.

Steganos Internet Anonym 2006 continues to enable users to filter out
dangerous Web content and annoying pop-up windows; to encrypt one’s list of
favorites; and to destroy unwanted data files or remnants of deleted data
from their PCs. The product features automatic updates, which ensure that
users always have the latest version.

You can check out a lot more about the program by heading to the Official Website.

This is a rock solid supply. Also the temperatures only went up after the overclocked load test. This is a good indication about how efficient the powersupply is. I am not certain about the 105W reading, but it could be accurate with that graphics card. Even with Dual 7800GTX and an FX-57, I have my doubts that more than 400W would be sustained for a long period of time.

Check out the full review at Xtreme Computing!

The paint job of the Logitech G5 is reminiscent of the rusted look of the Half-Life universe. Tarnished shades of red and black engulf a silver base coat to give a worn, battle-hardened look. While the color scheme will most likely not match anything on your desk, case modders will be sure to appreciate it’s unique looks. While the G5 uses the same uber-comfortable right handed bean shape as its predecessors, the grip is no longer made of the smooth rubber material . Instead it uses a more earthly material that has a fine texture that feels remarkably similar to the soles of a new pair of Wolverine boots, or the rough side of a fUnc mouse pad.

Check out the full review over at EverythingUSB.

Tyan Computer Corporation is well known for their servers and system boards and rightly so. Their line up of products is quite extensive in the server market and while their offerings are slightly less in the home consumer market they have kept their products up to date with the latest technologies extremely well. Today we look at their latest Socket 939 motherboard, the Tomcat K8E (S2865).

Head on over to Bona Fide Reviews for the full review!

Our world-famous CPU decoder ring has finally received a much-needed update. As ever, the decoder ring will help you crack the increasingly complex code of microprocessor model numbers, allowing you once and for all to see clearly the difference between, say, a Pentium 4 570J and a Pentium 4 571, or an Athlon 64 3800+ and an Athlon 64 X2 3800+. It’s all in there: Click to sort by code name, fab process, socket type, or recommended voltage. Scan to see whether support for the NX bit or 64-bit computing is present. Strain to figure out why the heck Intel and AMD decided to make so many variants of their products. Revel in the raw obscurity of the Turion model numbering scheme.

This is an extremely in-depth list. Be sure to check it out at Tech Report.