- Qualcomm Launches Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 Mobile Platform
- AMD Launches Ryzen PRO 7000 Series Mobile & Desktop Platform
- Intel Launches Sleek Single-Slot Arc Pro A60 Workstation Graphics Card
- NVIDIA Announces Latest Ada Lovelace Additions: GeForce RTX 4060 Ti & RTX 4060
- Maxon Redshift With AMD Radeon GPU Rendering Support Now Available
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Review Roundup for September 27
- Thermalright Ultra-120 CPU Cooler – Think Computers
- XSPC X2O Xtreme 1/2″ CPU Universal Water block – Xtreme Computing
Cooling
- Seagate 750gb External Hard Drive with Pushbutton Backup – ClubOC
- Transcend 2GB (2x 1024MB) DDR2-800 – Big Bruin
Memory & Storage
- Gigabyte GA-M59SLI-S5 nForce 590 SLI – PC Stats
Motherboards & Processors
- 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
Peripherals & Power Supplies
- BFG Ageia Physics Card – Guru3D
- “GeForce 7950 GS?” – NGOHQ
- HIS X1650Pro IceQ Turbo – Viper Lair
- Matrox TripleHead2Go – OC Modshop
- Samsung 971P – Overclockers Online
- “Sapphire Quietly Launches an AGP Version of X1300XT” – NGOHQ
- Sapphire X1300 XT – Neoseeker
- Sapphire Radeon X1300 XT Overclock Edition – Hardware Info
- Sapphire X1650Pro – Neoseeker
Displays & Video Cards
- Does the Technology Really Matter? – The Tech Zone
- IDF Day 1 Coverage – HotHardware
- Xitel HiFi-Link for iPod Nano – Futurelooks
Complete Systems, Competitions & Etcetera
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.
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.
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!
- Thermaltake Aqua RX R-1 – techPowerUp!
Cooling
- Maxtor’s DiamondMax 11 hard drive – Tech Report
- OCZ Gold XTC PC2-8800 DDR2 2gb Kit – Overclock3D
- OCZ PC2-6400 Special Ops Edition Urban Elite 2GB – Pro-Clockers
- OCZ PC2-6400 Special Ops Edition Urban Elite 2GB – PC Modding Malaysia
- Ultra XL Dual Channel 1024MB PC3200 – Modders-Inc
Memory & Storage
- Intel Shows Quad-Core Kentsfield – Legit Reviews
Motherboards & Processors
- Corsair 620W Modular Power Supply – 3D Gameman
- PC Power & Cooling 750w Silencer S75EPS PSU – Overclock3D
- Razer Barracuda HP-1 – Phoronix
- Saitek Gaming Mouse – Overclockers Club
- XG Magnum 600 EX – techFEAR
- X-MICRO X-VDO MP4 F610 2gig MP3 – Xtreme Computing
Peripherals & Power Supplies
- Sapphire Radeon X1650 Pro – Hardware Info
Displays & Video Cards
- Anthro eNook – Digital Trends
- Apple iPod Battery Secrets – Futurelooks
- Datacolor SpyderTV Pro – XYZ Computing
- Dell Precision 390 – BIOS Magazine
- HyperKore System Giveaway – Modders-Inc
- PC Buyer’s Guide Late Summer 2006 – Guru3D
Complete Systems, Competitions & Etcetera
Wii Want Grand Theft Auto
We’re reaching out to every publisher, frankly every day. I’ll be spending some time later today with the folks over at Take Two to see what type of support they can give our console. … The fact is there will be M-rated content on the Wii console. EA has already announced that they’re bringing ‘The Godfather’ to our console. And we want every single best-selling game to be available on Wii. Whatever that content is”
So here you have it. Of course we’ve already seen M rated games on the Gamecube, but they were few.
Fujfilm FinePix S5 Pro DSLR: See You Next Year
Fujifilm gives us a long lead time on its S5 Pro, a DSLR with a 6.17- megapixel CCD that the company has enhanced with what it calls “Super CD double pixel technology,” giving it a claimed 12.34 effective megapixels. Is that anything like double secret probation? Let’s just call it a 6.17-megapixel camera until proven otherwise.
12MP camera that uses a 6.0MP CCD? Unlikely, but this is a great looking camera. Features are similar to the Nikon D80/200, which is hardly a bad thing.
How to avoid lost airline luggage: Pack a gun
Why not just have the TSA adopt the same check in rules for photographic and video equipment as they do for firearms? All firearms must be in checked baggage, no carry on. All firearms must be transported in a locked, hard sided case using a non-TSA approved lock. This is to prevent anyone from opening the case after its been screened.
This is a smart idea. Though I’ve never lost luggage, it could actually be worth a shot.
Gentlemen, start your Vista chimes (or stop them)
The uproar wasn’t so much over the sound itself (which hasn’t yet been finalized, although guitarist Robert Fripp is apparently working on it). Instead, the concern was that Windows would not allow an easy way to change or disable this startup sound. At the time, the “controversy” seemed somewhat overblown, as Microsoft had officially stated that they had not yet decided whether or not to make the startup sound optional. Now, in a more recent (5728) build of Vista, the ability has now appeared to turn off the startup sound in the Control Panel.
It’s funny that something makes the news that shouldn’t even occur in the first place…
If Only We Knew Then What We Know Now About Windows XP
Windows XP is turning five years old, but will anybody want to celebrate the occasion? Microsoft’s long-anticipated replacement for “Win 9x” — the series of releases that began with Windows 95 and ended with Windows Millennium Edition –was never supposed to stick around this long. But half a decade after it began shipping on new computers (followed a month later by its retail debut), XP lingers.
I can agree with most of what this guy says. WinXP did bring a lot of problems on board… but damn the userbase is HUGE. Of course there are going to be many problems. However, it’s sad that Vista is not looking so much better…
Review Roundup for September 25
- A+ Case Twin Engine / XCLIO A380 – techPowerUp!
- ANTEC Performance One P180B Advanced Super Mid Tower Case – Future Looks
- Icy Dock MB453SPF 3 Bay Hot Swap SATA Hard Drive Enclosure – Big Bruin
- Origen AE X11 HTPC Enclosure – Hexus
- Thermaltake Kandalf LCS – Xtreme Computing
- Thermaltake Armor JR VC3000BWS Midi-Case – HardwareXL
- Zalman HD135 HTPC Case – 3D Gameman
Cases & Enclosures
- Arctic Fan 8L and 12L – DragonSteelMods
- CoolerMaster Blue Ice Pro Chipset Cooler – OCIA
- Cooler Master Mars HSF – 3D Gameman
- Cooler Master Hyper TX HSF – 3D Gameman
- Thermalright Ultra-120 CPU Cooler – Pro-Clockers
- Titan Amanda TTC-NP04TZ Cooler – Technic3D
Cooling
- Brando 23- in- 1 Card Reader and USB Hub Combo – Overclockers Online
- OCZ PC2-8000 Titanium Alpha VX2 – Red & Blackness
- Revoltec File Protector OTB – Technic 3D
- Vantec eSATA Interface Cards – ClubOC
Memory & Storage
- ASUS M2N32-SLI Deluxe Wireless Edition – Bjorn3D
- MSI P965 Platinum – Hardware Info
Motherboards & Processors
- be quiet! Straightpower 700W – techPowerUp!
- DTech Bluetooth & USB 2.0 Hub – Think Computers
- Dolby and DTS Are Fruitful and Multiply – Digital Trends
- SteelSound 5Hv2 Professional Gaming Headset – Think Computers
Peripherals & Power Supplies
- “Choosing an LCD display – Are high contrast and brightness better?” – DV Hardware
- Gainward Bliss 7950 GX2 – Overclock3D
- NVIDIA 1.0-9625 Display Drivers – Phoronix
Displays & Video Cards
- LG CU500 – Digital Trends
- Myah OS v2.2 – Phoronix
- Why iPod and Zune could Kill Blu-ray, HD DVD & even The DVD – The Tech Zone
- Xbox To PC (And More) Controller Mod – ASE Labs
Complete Systems, Competitions & Etcetera
If Grandma was a techy
Is this comforting or unnatural? We don’t know. On one hand, who wouldn’t like to cozy up under their favorite tech gear, maybe special someone by their side? On the other, gadgets already fill my heart with enough warmth to fend off hypothermia while walking naked in the arctic. Either way, my house will be covered with this stuff in 50 years.
Nothing like a plastic canvas computer ports frame make a home feel like a home.
Counter-Strike… goes economy based
Starting on October 11th, the prices of weapons and equipment in Counter-Strike: Source will be updated each week based on the global market demand for each item. As more people purchase a certain weapon, the price for that weapon will rise and other weapons will become less expensive.
Depending on how often a weapon is purchased, it’s price will go up or down. They do not say if this amount can be capped though. This could help spice up the game in certain regards, and force people to use different weapons instead of the same ole M4A1 or AK. There is a lot of interesting debate going on over on the official forums you may want to check out also.
Hurd’s move a bit quick?
Mark Hurd, the chief exec of Hewlett-Packard, acknowledged for the first time Friday that he was closely involved with at least portions of the company’s efforts to spy on board members, employees and reporters. And then he gave himself a promotion.
Its one thing to be involved in the largest company scandal in history, but its another to actually promote yourself during it. What a strange company.
Corsairs thumbs get bigger
Fremont, CA (September 21, 2006) –Corsair® today announced immediate availability of a new 8GB Flash Voyager USB drive. Encased in the Corsair proprietary all-rubber Flash Voyager housing and boasting water-resistant/ temperature tolerant properties, the new 8GB drive allows users to carry more valuable data and applications without compromise. Equipped with a security application and featuring enhanced dual channel technology, the 8GB Flash Voyager delivers an ideal combination of functionality, capacity and performance.
How much, you might ask? $154USD is the SRP… not bad at all! You could fit so much por… portatoe salad recipes on that thing… I mean damn! You’d think that since the 4GB Voyager was somewhat slow, then it would get increasingly worse with higher densities. Not the case says Corsair. In fact, they promise this to be even faster than OCZ’s Rally solution.
Free repairs for early Xbox 360s
Returns for repair are coming in for a variety reasons and it’s a higher rate than we are satisfied with. We’ve made the decision to comp repairs for consoles manufactured before January 1, 2006, and provide refunds to the small group of customers who have already paid for repairs.
Well, at least Microsoft doesn’t like to wait 8+ months before making this decision. Ok, I am not sure if my sarcasm came out there.. but I just wanted to make sure you knew that it was indeed meant to be a sarcastic remark. I also like to ramble in random news posts just to make them look bigger, since most people will not notice…
7900GS Round-up
Over the last few weeks, we have been testing six different GeForce 7900 GS video cards with a range of features, clock speeds and price tags. BFG Tech, EVGA, Galaxy, Inno3D, Point Of View and XFX all managed to get cards to us in time to complete this roundup.
If you are looking to pick up a 7900GS, look here first. Remember, it’s not just performance that matters. Cooling solution and the included games/software is equally important!
Spaceballs to become cartoon show
Like the 1987 movie, which parodied well-known science-fiction movies, “Spaceballs: The Animated Series” will spoof current blockbusters as well as every genre of entertainment from movies and reality TV to culture and politics.
If this proves half as funny as the movie, then I am sure it will be a hit. I clearly remember having tears after laughing so hard at various parts. It’s just too bad it will be shown on the appalling G4 network.
Novell to release Quick-Response Linux
Real-time operating systems can respond to external events within a guaranteed time frame, a feature that mainstream business computing doesn’t generally require but that’s necessary for some areas, such as aircraft radar. But in a move that indicates the flexibility of Linux, Novell plans to begin selling the real-time variant of the open-source operating system next month.
This is apparently going to be quite useful to wallstreet traders, but I am sure there are many other potential uses out there. It doesn’t really matter though. The coolest part of the OS is its acronym: SLERT.
Apple update Wireless drivers
Apple on Thursday released a Security and AirPort update for Mac OS X that fixes vulnerabilities found in the company’s wireless drivers. Apple said the issues found were the result of an internal audit of the software drivers and that no known exploits exist for the issues addressed in this update.
This is an unknown exploit as for as Apple is concerned. However, as with all security updates, you should jump in early to make sure you are not left vulnerable. You can use the software update to snag the update.
PS3 Gran Turismo pay as you go
Besides the graphical improvements, the major news about GT:HD revolves around the online portion of the game. The game starts out with no cars or tracks loaded. Players can purchase cars for ¥50-100 (about $0.45 to $0.85) and courses for ¥200-500 ($1.70 to $4.30). Online race events are defined by the players themselves, and can be held at any time. Initially, over 750 cars and 50 tracks will be made available, with additional releases to come over time. There are also plans for “limited edition” car and track downloads, which will likely be priced higher.
Gran Turismo: HD? There goes Sony wanting to be like Nintendo and throwing the system capabilities in a game title. That aside, this may actually prove better for some, particularly those who don’t want -every- track available.