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- Intel Launches Sleek Single-Slot Arc Pro A60 Workstation Graphics Card
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- Maxon Redshift With AMD Radeon GPU Rendering Support Now Available
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JEDEC Chairman Denies Endorsement for NVIDIA EPP
EPP is not a JEDEC endorsed specification and should not be misconstrued in the industry as such. I do encourage the sponsors of the concept, or any other companies wishing to properly document higher DDR2 speed grades, to develop a truly open specification by submitting a proposal to the JEDEC committee and to the SPD Task Group and following the well established guidelines by which open standards are developed.
If EPP proves to be useful at all, it would be interesting to see if JEDEC will allow it as an official spec. Since EPP is geared for overclocking only, NVIDIA may have a lot of convincing to do. Head on over to the full posting at DailyTech.
DDR2 Memory: Enhanced Performance Profiles (EPP)
SLI Certified Memory for the nForce 590 SLI chipset will feature EPP and Corsair was the first to market with these EPP-based DIMMs. Corsair was one of the companies that took off and ran with Enhanced Performance Profiles as their customer base is enthusiast oriented. Other memory companies like Kingston and OCZ have been working with NVIDIA on EPP modules and when the upcoming AMD AM2 processors come out will be ready to support EPP.
For a good explanation of EPP and what you should be expecting, check out Legit Reviews article here.
NVIDIA® Integrated Graphics Processors Enhance Highest Volume HP Notebook Lines
SANTA CLARA, CA—MAY 17, 2006— NVIDIA Corporation (Nasdaq: NVDA), the worldwide leader in programmable graphics processor technologies, today announced the new NVIDIA® GeForce® Go 6150 integrated graphics processor (IGP) and NVIDIA nForce® Go 430 media communications processor (MCP) are now available in the HP Pavilion dv2000 series and Compaq Presario V3000 series of notebook PCs. The HP Pavilion and Compaq Presario lines are the highest-volume of notebooks PCs from HP, the world’s leading provider of consumer notebook PCsi.
You can read the full press release here.
ATI Boosts Performance and Productivity of Today’s Notebook Computers with New Radeon® Xpress™ 1100 Series
MARKHAM, ONTARIO, May 17, 2006 (CCNMatthews via COMTEX News Network) — New chipsets armed to support AMD Turion™ 64 X2 mobile technology deliver industry-leading battery life, faster graphics, and come ready for the Microsoft Windows Vista™ premium experience.
You can read the full press release here.
AMD Delivers Multi-Tasking Performance On-The-Go With First 64-Bit Dual-Core Mobile Processor
SUNNYVALE, Calif. — May 17, 2006 –AMD (NYSE: AMD) today introduced AMD Turion™ 64 X2 mobile technology, the first and only family of 64-bit dual-core processors designed for thin and light notebook PCs. AMD Turion 64 X2 mobile technology allows people to get more from their mobile lifestyle through long battery life and outstanding performance, even when using multiple applications simultaneously, including demanding digital media applications.
You can read the full press release here.
Novell Delivers Device Driver Breakthrough to Accelerate Linux Adoption
WALTHAM, Mass. – May 17, 2006 – Novell today announced availability and details of a process that solves Linux* device driver compatibility issues. The new driver process allows customers to obtain drivers independently of Novell® kernel updates and supplies a straightforward approach third parties can use when developing device drivers for Novell’s SUSE® Linux Enterprise products. The new Linux driver process developed by Novell allows hardware and software vendors to provide Linux drivers and driver updates for their products to customers directly and transparently, in a way that is completely integrated with SUSE Linux Enterprise delivery and support.
You can read the full press release right here.
Mushkin Announces New European Distribution Partnership with Sirius
Denver, CO, May 17, 2006– Mushkin Enhanced, a leading manufacturer in high-performance computer components, is proud to announce a new partnership with Sirius Computer Technik GmbH. This partnership will provide Mushkin with the solid foundation needed to distribute and support the Mushkin product line in the European Community. “Across Europe the partnership with Sirius will provide Mushkin’s customers with better service, faster shipping and support, and an overall improved
Mushkin experience,” said Lee Groninger, Mushkin Sales and Marketing Director. “Resellers and end-users alike will benefit from local distribution, service and support with a more localized and affordable option for upgrades and replacements”.
You can read the full press release here.
Hardware Roundup for May 17
- Antec Minuet 300 Piano Black Slimline PC Case – Virtual-Hideout
- iCute Coolive QH01 – TweakPC
- SilverStone Temjin TJ08 – 3D Gameman
- Thermaltake Hardcano 13 – Cooling-Station
Cases & Enclosures
- Arctic Cooling Accelero X1 VGA Cooler – Big Bruin
- Gigabyte 3D Rocket Cooler-Pro PCU22-VG Heatsink – FrostyTech
- Scythe Ninja Plus CPU Cooler – Think Computers
- Zalman VF900-CU – Gruntville
Cooling
- Buffalo FireStix FSX1000D2C-K2G PC2-8000 DDR-2 – PC Stats
- Mushkin XP2-6400 1 GB – techPowerUp!
Memory & Storage
- Abit AN8 32X – Nordic Hardware
Motherboards & CPU’s
- Cooler Master iGreen Power RS-500ASAA PSU – Technic3D
- Logitech Z4 2.1 – Modders-Inc
- Sennheiser PC30/PC160 – Pro-Clockers
- Sony Walkman NW-E003 – BIOS Magazine
- SpirePower Rocketeer V 500W Modular Power Supply – PC Apex
Peripherals & Power Supplies
- Asus Ageia PhysX Physics Processing Card – XS Reviews
- BFG PhysX and Performance Updates – AnandTech
- Connect3D Radeon X1800 GTO 256MB – Bona Fide Reviews
- Galaxy GeForce 7600 GS 256MB – Guru3D
- HIS X1600 Pro IceQ Turbo (single and Crossfire) – Bjorn3D
- XFX 7600 GS PCIe – Legit Reviews
Video Cards & Monitor
- Creative X-Fi Scandal – Round 2 – NGOHQ
- Cyber Bullying: A Very Dangerous Disease – and the Cyber Cures – Digital Trends
- Linux: Fedora Rawhide 2006-05-16 – Phoronix
- Is Skype the Future? – GideonTech
- Contest: Kingston Giveaway – Cache-Community
Etcetera & Contests
PhysX cards selling like cold cakes
WE ASKED around about the sales of PhysX cards and learned that Overclockers, one of the biggest online stores in the UK is selling an average of ten cards a day. Not a bad rate for a new marchitecture, we reckon, but things could always get better. Obviously, people do find the interest and the dosh to buy these cards. It is still too early for massive sales as there simply are not enough titles yet available to support the relatively high price.
More game support! That’s all we need. It doesn’t look like this will happen until UT2007 is finally released, so that may end up being the saving grace for the PhysX. Check out the full post at The Inquirer.
Say goodbye to your porn
The new Trojan/Erazor-A has an interesting twist. In addition to deleting or disabling various security products and competing malware, it deletes any porn, warez and music in your P2P directories. While some opine that this trojan might have good intentions, remarkably few things infect the text files this trojan also deletes. No one yet knows who wrote this or why.
This is quite a nutty program. Maybe the RIAA and MPAA are behind this? Check out the posting at Slashdot, and the virus information at Sophos.
Creative Sues Apple Over the iPod
Creative says that the iPod’s graphical user interface is proprietary technology to its Zen MP3 products and that it owns the method in which users browse a portable MP3 device for music. Creative also says that its engineers invented the interface way back in 2000. While Creative says that it has the rights to the user interface for number of years now, the lawsuit refers to this patent here, which is actually dated last year.
One lawsuit for Apple down, and another rises up just as quickly. Why Creative waited five years to bring this up is anybodies guess. Check out the full post at DailyTech.
Hacked XBOX 360 Firmware, Now For Everyone
This firmware modifications boosts that installers of the binary can boot all game backups from both XBOX 360 and the original XBOX and also the original copies of both XBOX system games. This mod also allows the XBOX’s drive to work under Windows without any hardware conversion or adaptors, if such a thing seems interesting. XBOX360.net forum posters claim that Microsoft can probably detect if the firmware has been installed, which may be a large deterrent for those interested in giving it a shot.
This firmware still allows you to go onto Xbox Live, but that would be a surefire way to let Microsoft know you are using a hacked firmware. It’s difficult to find a copy of the firmware, but I for one have no remote need for it. Check out the full posting at DailyTech.
AMD 65nm SOI "Brisbane" Processors, December 2006
AMD just released a few roadmaps to its OEM partners this week. The earliest partner roadmap from May claimed we would see 65nm Brisbane Athlon 64 processors in Q1’07. The most recent update says we will actually see some limited quantity shipments of 65nm Athlon 64 chips in December 2006. This forecast is actually slightly ahead of the announcements made just a few weeks ago in previous roadmaps and press briefings of Fab 36.
The good news is that the 65nm will be available for the AM2 and will not require a future socket. It’s a long time to wait, but I am anxious to see 65nm AMD in action. Just look at what 65nm is doing for Intels. Check out the full news post at DailyTech.
Futuremark Corporation and Microsoft Announce Business Deal
Saratoga, CA – May 16th, 2006 – Futuremark, creators of world’s most widely used benchmarks for PCs and handhelds, today announced they have signed a deal with Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ “MSFT”). The contract covers online services and performance analysis tools in support of Microsoft Windows XP and the upcoming Windows Vista operating systems. Financial details related to the venture have not been disclosed.
You can read the full press release here.
Novell Positioned in the Leaders Quadrant for Security Information and Event Management
WALTHAM, Mass -May 16, 2006 – Novell today announced it has been listed in the leaders quadrant of Gartner, Inc.’s, “Magic Quadrant for Security Information and Event Management, 1H06” by Mark Nicolett, Amrit Williams and Paul Proctor. In this May 2006 report, Gartner evaluated vendors based on their completeness of vision and ability to execute.
You can read the full press release here.
NVIDIA Unveils a New Open Standard Memory Specification Designed to Provide Higher Levels of System Performance
SANTA CLARA, CA—MAY 15, 2006—NVIDIA Corporation (Nasdaq: NVDA), the worldwide leader in programmable graphics processor technologies, today announced the results of a collaborative memory development effort called Enhanced Performance Profiles, or EPP, which allows consumers to easily expose new, advanced performance memory settings built into high performance memory DIMMs for even higher levels of overall PC system performance. In addition, NVIDIA also announced today that Corsair Memory, the worldwide leader in design and manufacture of high performance memory, is the first memory vendor to announce support for the new EPP specification, and is expected to have new EPP-based memory DIMMs available in the channel later this month.
You can read the full press release here.
Corsair Announces Immediate Adoption of Enhanced Performance Profiles (EPP)
Fremont, CA (May 15, 2006) Corsair® Memory, Inc., the worldwide leader in design and manufacture of high
performance memory, today announced immediate adoption of Enhanced Performance Profiles (EPP). Jointly developed
by Corsair and NVIDIA® as a new open memory standard, Enhanced Performance Profiles elevate memory performance
by taking full advantage of the additional memory parameters that are now added to the unused portion of the JEDEC
standard Serial Presence Detect (SPD). As a new open standard, immediate adoption by motherboard manufacturers and
other memory manufacturers is expected.
You can read the full press release here.
Hardware Roundup for May 16
- Corsair Nautilus 500 External CPU Water Cooling Unit – Big Bruin
- Scythe Shogun Low Noise Heatsink – FrostyTech
- Thermaltake Aquabay M4 – techPowerUp!
- Zalman CNPS9500 LED Intel/AMD Heatpipe CPU Cooler – TweakNews
Cooling
- IOGear BOSS 120GB Home/Office Network Server Appliance – Think Computers
- Ultra ULT31664 1GB PC3200 – Motherboards.org
Memory & Storage
- ASRock 939SLI32-eSATA2 PCIe SLI AMD Athlon 64 Socket 939 – OC Inside
- ECS 945G-M3 & C19-A SLI Motherboards – HotHardware
- ECS C19-A SLI – Phoronix
- Gigabyte GA-8N-SLI Quad Royal – PC Stats
Motherboards & CPU’s
- A4 Tech X7 Gaming Mouse – Xtreme Computing
- Creative MuVO MP3 Player – Technic3D
- Earphone Roundup – UK Gamer
- Kensington Digital FM Radio & FM Transmitter for iPod – XYZ Computing
- Logitech V400 Laser Cordless Mouse – Virtual-Hideout
- SLi/Crossfire Ready PSUs – A True Review
Peripherals & Power Supplies
- BFGTech GeForce 7600 GT OC – HardOCP
- HIS X1300 IceQ Turbo and Dual DVI – Overclockers Online
- XFX 7600 GS PCIe Video Card – Legit Reviews
Video Cards & Monitor
Buyers Guide, Part III: All Graphics Cards!
This buyer’s guide consists of three articles, each covering cards, so we have looked at a total of 20 graphics solutions. This installment contains the complete benchmark results and the full feature table for all participating cards. Below you’ll find a list of all 20 contenders from Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3, to help you fine an overview of each card, and locate each test of interest to you.
To read the conclusion to this in-depth look, head on over to Toms Hardware.
Tim Sweeney ponders the future of physics cards
Adding support for the card is not an easy process for developers. The makers of Ghost Recon have been criticized for including support for PhysX that winds up decreasing frame rates, because of the greater number of objects that have to be rendered by the graphics card itself. This evokes memories of that early ATI card I mentioned, and suggests that perhaps the technology is not quite ready for prime time.
There’s no doubt that PPU’s will become more popular in the future, but the question is how far into the future exactly? UT2007 is one of the best hopefuls for use with the AGEIA card, so it will be interesting to see what Sweeney pulls off. Check out the full article at Ars.
Can Ordinary PC Users Ditch Windows for Linux?
..for both personal and professional computer use, I want access to all multimedia functions. While solutions may exist to almost every problem I encountered, I was willing to invest only a limited amount of time as a system administrator. Claims by some Linux publishers that anybody can easily switch to Linux from Windows seem totally oversold.
It seems that that author was using ‘dumbed down’ versions of Linux to begin with, but still was confused by it all. Linux is obviously for some, but not for all. Check out the posting at Slashdot.
Gigabyte AM2 Motherboard Lineup
Like the ASUS offerings, Gigabytes best of breed motherboards for AM2 will feature NVIDIA’s nForce 590 SLI chipset. The M59SLI-S5 has dual x16 PCIe graphics, dual eSATA ports, dual BIOSes, ten USB 2.0 interfaces and eight SATA 3.0Gbps interfaces. One UDMA PATA interface is provided for legacy optical storage devices. Like other nForce 590 motherboards, the motherboard also features dual Gigabit LAN but over the Marvell Gigabit PHY. Gigabyte has two Firewire-400 headers on the motherboard with an additional third interface on the rear I/O panel.
Their S5 motherboard looks interesting, mainly because it has three PCI-E graphic card slots. Ones only an 8x, and would be suitable for single card configurations. For a lot more info on all the new boards, check out the posting at DailyTech.
Pirate Windows? Buy The Retail Version at a $100 Discount
On a whim we tried again this evening and it appears that Microsoft has updated its website and now allows US users of pirated or counterfeit versions of Windows XP to buy legitimate keys for $149 each — a unique key is still required for each computer that runs Windows XP. The full version of Microsoft Windows XP Professional retails for $249.99, which means if you purchase the CD and key from Microsoft, there is a net savings of $100.
I can’t say that Microsofts way of doing thing is a good one. People who do want to go legit, must wait up to 10 days for a product key. In addition, the CD will arrive to you a month later, and that could be longer if you are out of the US. Still, some people will appreciate the $100 discount! Check out the full article at DailyTech.
On-Demand Gaming- The Next Big Thing?
Game delivery has followed this trend and made a number of advances o in the past few years. Rather than purchasing games on CD or DVD customers now have access to direct downloads from retailers as well as online services so that the games can be had without ever leaving their home. All it takes to do this is a broadband connection and a credit card, so for most gamers, things could not be easier. The most successful implementation of this has been Steam, the service from Valve Software. This system exploded in popularity because it is the best way to get access to Half Life 2, as well as play Counter Strike: Source and Day of Defeat: Source online.
I personally love this method of getting games. It makes things far too easy, especially on the Steam side of things. To see what XYZ has to say about the on-demand gaming and it’s future, check out the article here.
Interview with Lite-On’s Jelmer Veldman
Even the knowledgeable folk who frequent HEXUS.net might not be overly familiar with the Lite-On name. If they are, few are likely to realise just how massive the company has become. It now claims to be the No.2 maker of optical-disc hardware worldwide and reckons it’s one percentage point behind the leader, having recently taken on all of BenQ’s optical manufacturing earlier in the year. Jelmer Veldman is the rangy, young Dutchman whose job it is to build Lite-On’s own-brand sales in Europe and he took time out on the first day of this week’s Computer Trade Show to answer our questions.
Head on over to Hexus for the full interview!