ASUS laptops new sandy bridge revision annonced

Based on new information from Intel, ASUS is happy to announce that updated Sandy Bridge-based products will begin shipping this week, immediately after the revised design is released by Intel. This fast response aims to prevent any further inconvenience and interruption to customers. For notebook products, ASUS will begin by rolling out revised G73SW, N53SV and N53SN models, followed by N43SL, N43SN and N73SV notebooks.

Customers who already own potentially affected models: please go to this page to verify whether your notebook is affected, and simply follow the swap procedure to get a replacement notebook. For customers planning to buy new notebooks with Intel Sandy Bridge technology, ASUS has clearly marked all packaging, including shipping cartons and gift boxes, to indicate the use of revised hardware. Just look for a sticker displaying "New Revision Certified Design" to rest assured the products have been fully updated. There are two versions of this sticker, both verifying the product is a revised version: 

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Intel SSD 510 6Gbps series annonced plus performance test Vs HDD WD

After the 2nd generation of Intel Core processors series , here is the Intel 2nd generation SSD 6Gbps just announced which take full advantage of the 2nd Generation Intel Core Processors :

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

- Intel SSD 510, next in series of Intel SSD introductions for 2011, transfers more data in less time.

- Ideal for gamers, media creators, performance-intensive workstations, Intel SSD 510 offers fastest available sequential performance.

- Intel SSD 510 with 6Gbps SATA interface outperforms 10,000 RPM HDDs by 50 percent for fast performance and high visual fidelity game play..

The Intel SSD 510 offers the fastest sequential read and write speeds of any consumer SATA SSD available today, providing industry leading performance that beats a traditional hard disk drive (HDD) by more than 50 percent.1 In addition to better overall system responsiveness when compared to a mechanical hard drive, SSDs have no moving parts so are more rugged, consume less power and run quieter and cooler than HDDs. SSDs reduce boot times, launch applications and files faster and recover from sleep mode quicker, resulting in noticeable improvement. Conventional HDDs are also unable to effectively take advantage of 6Gbps platform technology, since HDDs fail to maximize even the current 3Gbps SATA interface.

The Intel SSD 510 Series uses proven Intel 34-nanometer NAND flash memory to deliver best-in-class sequential performance of up to 500MB/s sequential read speeds and up to 315 MB/s writes for its high-capacity model. The product is available now and comes in a 250GB capacity priced at $584 and a 120GB at $284, for 1,000-unit quantities. Both products include a limited 3-year warranty. The 120GB version is an excellent choice for dual-drive desktops, a hybrid configuration gaining in popularity. In this type of set up, the operating system, favorite applications and games are accessed from the SSD for faster boot up and accelerated application performance, while the HDD is used to store data.

In addition to solid reliability, Intel SSD purchasers have the benefit of the Intel® SSD Toolbox with Intel SSD Optimizer, a free utility which provides Microsoft Windows* users with a powerful set of management, information and diagnostic tools to help maintain the health and out-of-box performance of the drive. To help ease the installation process, all Intel SSD users can download the free Intel® Data Migration Software to help clone the entire content of a previous storage drive (SSD or HDD) to any Intel SSD. 

Intel SSD 510 6Gbps series Vs Western Degital HDD 10K Performance :

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GIGABYTE GTX 580 SOC GV-N580SO-15I features and specification

GIGABYTE introduced its performance edition of the Nvidia GTX 580 graphic cards , the Super Overclock Series GIGABYTE GTX 580 "GV-N580SO-15I"  :

Based on 40nm processor and advanced GDDR5 memory technology, the powerful new GPU consists of ground-breaking features including Microsoft DirectX 11 and NVIDIA PhysX which lead to incredibly immersive HD gaming experience and unrivaled performance. To satisfy hardcore gamers and extreme overclockers, GV-N580SO-15I is especially designed with GIGABYTE Extreme Dual BIOS technology. GV-N580SO-15I also features WINDFORCE 3X, 14 phase PWM design, OC Guru graphic card smart tuner and voltage read point.

GIGABYTE Extreme Dual BIOS technology
As opposed to the traditional concept of dual BIOS chips where one is a main BIOS and the other one is a backup BIOS, GIGABYTE Extreme Dual BIOS technology contains two different BIOS chips designed for separate purposes. GIGABYTE Extreme Dual BIOS technology supports one-touch dual BIOS switching button to shift between two BIOSes.
WINDFORCE – GIGABYTE’s Latest Cooling Solution
GIGABYTE introduces WINDFORCE, the latest cooling technology that differentiates the brand’s graphics cards from the rest. GIGABYTE understands that a fan is crucial to the graphics card, so only the fan with the most efficiency is selected for WINDFORCE. To qualify for WINDFORCE, the cooling solution must be equipped with anti-turbulence inclined-fin, ultra quiet PWM fan and pure copper heat pipe. Inclined-fins redirect airflow and help to reduce excessive heat and turbulence. Depending on its orientation, there are 4 types of inclined-fin designs: outward-inclined, 3D-inclined, parallel-inclined, and mirroring-inclined. Each type contributes to generating excellent exterior airflow for efficient heat dissipation from the interior GPU core.
WINDFORCE 3X: Anti-turbulence Cooling

GPU Gauntlet Sorting

 

GV-N580SO-15I Picture:

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Thunderbolt Technology Vs SATA 6 Vs USB 3 Benchmark and indepth preview

So what is the Intel Thunderbolt Technology ? The new Intel Thunderbolt Technology was introduced commercially on Apple's updated MacBook Pro lineup on 24 February 2011 ,it use the same port and connector as Mini DisplayPort with 3 meters maximum length on copper cable , the badwidth of the current Thunderbolt cable is 20 Gbit/s bi-directional using the PCI Express and DisplayPort v1.1a as a protocol ,the current cooper cable version can supply power up to 10 W but the optical version which will be introduced soon do not supply power, each port can support up to seven Thunderbolt devices and two of these devices may be run at high-resolution displays .

And here is an excellent in depth look of the Intel Thunderbolt Technology from hardwarecanucks , the article also include a data transfer speed benchmark test compared with the USB 3.0 and the SATA 6G :

Performance Benchmark Result snapshot :

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PNY GTX 550 Ti specifications and release date

The Nvidia GTX 550Ti will be availble next mounth , and so several EU listings the specifications of the PNY one  , the PNY GTX 550 Ti with part number GMGX55TN2H1IZPB is now listed on skinflint and online stores .

Specifications: The PNY GTX 550 Ti is based on the Nvidia’s GF116 40nm core wich has 192 Stream processors and 32 Texture units , a core clock running at 900MHz and Shader clock @ 1800MHz the GPU is connected with 1024MB of GDDR5 Memory using a 128-bit bus memory interface .

The maximum power required for the PNY GTX 550 Ti is 110W , including 2x DVI, mini-HDMI and the current price tag is set at €159.

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Intel Thunderbolt transfer technology with 10Gbps bandwidth speed

Intel announced the new Intel Thunderbolt technology AKA "light peak" which is a connection technology can bring a bandwidth of up to 10Gbps targeting the new Apple MacBook Pro laptops at first step then it will take place for the PCs:

Intel Corporation announced the availability of Thunderbolt™ technology, a new high-speed PC connection technology that brings together high-speed data transfer and high-definition (HD) display on to a single cable. Running at 10Gbps, Thunderbolt technology can transfer a full-length HD movie in less than 30 seconds. This Intel-developed technology is coming to market through a technical collaboration with Apple, and is available first on Apple's new line of MacBook Pro laptop computers.
Wait Less. Do More.
The vision for Thunderbolt technology (formerly codenamed "Light Peak") is to move media faster, simplify connections between devices, and foster new and exciting ways to build and use PCs. Combining high-speed data and HD video connections together onto a single cable is instrumental to achieving that vision. Thunderbolt technology delivers this via two communications methods, or protocols -- PCI Express* for data transfer and DisplayPort* for displays. PCI Express has the flexibility to connect to almost any type of device, and DisplayPort can drive greater than 1080p resolution displays and up to eight channels of audio simultaneously. Thunderbolt technology is compatible with existing DisplayPort displays and adapters. All Thunderbolt technology devices share a common connector, and let individuals simply daisy-chain their devices one after another, connected by electrical or optical cables.
Thunderbolt technology is designed to meet the demands of serious HD media creators. For example, videographers can unleash their creativity using high-bandwidth audio and video capture/mixing devices, and get both low latency and highly-accurate time synchronization for real-time processing. At 10Gbps, larger media files are transferred faster so there's less time spent waiting to watch and edit videos. Data can be backed up and restored quicker, so there's less waiting for archived content. For mobile PC users, it means having a single connector on their ultra-thin laptop that extends their high-speed media and HD display capabilities at home or in the office. Thunderbolt technology is complementary to other I/O technologies that Intel continues to support.

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Nvidia want to port PC and console games to the tablet PC

Nvidia want to port PC and console games to its next Nvidia tegra generations tablets , that's what Nvidia will announce in the Game Developers Conference next month ,sounds like a crazy decision specially for the console games :

At the Game Developers Conference next month Nvidia will sponsor a session that will describe how to port games from PC and video game consoles to Google Android and Tegra. Nvidia will also showcase its own latest Android debugging and analysis tools that help to design and port video games for Google Android. The event shows a clear interest of the graphics and multimedia chip designer in high-quality games for mobile platforms.

Given Nvidia's leadership in graphics technologies on the PC, it is very natural for the company to transfer those technologies onto the market of handheld devices. Unfortunately for Nvidia, since modern mobile graphics processors do not really offer high performance and therefore applications do not need speed provided by Tegra and other expensive graphics solutions.

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SPARKLE GTX580 Thermal Guru specifications and features

SPARKLE Computer today announced the SPARKLE GTX580 Thermal Guru Graphics Card with Effective Own Design Cooler , the ultimate DX11 3D monster from SPARKLE, which delivers intense performance and premium cooling effect for gamers who demand the best. 

 World's Fastest Graphics Card
The SPARKLE GTX580 Thermal Guru Graphics Card is the latest new addition to SPARKLE’s GTX 580 Series. Its core and memory clock are 772 and 4008 MHz respectively. Designed specifically for gamers who demand the best, the SPARKLE GTX580 Thermal Guru Graphics Card is built with NVDIA GeForce GTX 580 GPU. Based on 40nm processor and advanced GDDR5 memory technology, it consists of ground-breaking features including Microsoft DirectX® 11 and NVIDIA PhysX™ which lead to incredibly immersive HD gaming experience and unrivaled performance.

Light Sense Design -- The Perfect Balance of Weight and Performance
For the cooler design, SPARKLE always has its own unique concept, it has been to balance the weight and the cooling performance of graphic cards' cooler. So as for this SPARKLE GTX580 Thermal Guru Graphics Card, it adopts the aluminum fins with the pure copper heat pipes to enhance heat transfer efficiency while also reducing the weight of the cooler, effectively avoiding the risk of bending the plate. This cooler also integrated many of the most advanced manufacturing process, the whole cooler uses tin free welding process, pillars traversed cooling fins technology and pillars inserted cooling fins technology to ensure cooling efficiency, use life and the sense of integrated design. With this cooler, the full loading GPU temperature is 5 degree Celsius lower than the reference cooler of GeForce GTX 580 graphics card. The weight of the cooler is only half of the reference design.

One Slot Iron Bracket Design
The SPARKLE GTX580 Thermal Guru Graphics Card takes up 2 PCI slots, but only with one slot iron bracket, making the card to be more light and clean.

Dual 80mm Fans Design
The SPARKLE Announced GTX580 Thermal Guru Graphics Card's cooler comes with two 80mm cooling fans. Compared with single fan design, they make the card running quieter and provide more powerful air flow for the graphics card. 

Direct Contact Technology
The cooler of the SPARKLE Announced GTX580 Thermal Guru Graphics Card use four pure copper heat pipes, combing with the GPU direct contact technology to enable more efficient heat transfer.

Unique&Advanced Cooling Fins Assembly Technology
Combining with pure aluminum cooling fins, the pure copper heat pipes use tin free welding process and cooling fins assembly technology, effectively avoiding the heat pipes' oxidation due to the corrosion from the high temperature tin melting process in the tin welding process and the high welding temperature. 

Unique Designed Wind Collecting Cover
The most graphics cards' coolers can only randomly draw the air to do cooling job. But SPARKLE deliberately designs a unique wind collecting cover for the cooler. Using the specially designed air duct on the cover, the flow of the air will enter the cooler along the fixed orbit, to enhance the efficiency of heat dissipation, while reducing wear and tear on the fan. In addition, the air duct design can effectively avoid the hand injury due to touching the cooler during the graphics card installation and taking down process.

SPARKLE GTX580 Thermal Guru Specifications:

Product picture:

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CPU-Z 1.57 system info tool download link

CPU-Z is a freeware that gathers information on some of the main devices of your system.

CPU-Z is a diagnostic tool that provides information on your CPU, including: processor name and vendor, core stepping and process, processor package, internal and external clocks, clock multiplier, partial overclock detection, processor features, supported instructions sets, L1 and L2 cache information, location, size, speed, and technology.
CPU-Z is a freeware that gathers information on some of the main devices of your system.
CPU
* Name and number.
* Core stepping and process.
* Package.
* Core voltage.
* Internal and external clocks, clock multiplier.
* Supported instructions sets.
* Cache information.

Mainboard
* Vendor, model and revision.
* BIOS model and date.
* Chipset (northbridge and southbridge) and sensor.
* Graphic interface.
Memory
* Frequency and timings.
* Module(s) specification using SPD (Serial Presence Detect) : vendor, serial number, timings table.
System
* Windows and DirectX version.

Download CPU-Z 1.57 Now

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ADATA CH11 USB 3.0 External Disk Drive available

ADATA Technology, today introduced the new CH11 external hard drive, the company's latest contender in the high-speed external storage market. 

The CH11 incorporates the most recent "SuperSpeed" USB 3.0 standard, and achieves read speeds of up to 90 MB/sec. As end-users worldwide become increasingly aware of the tremendous performance advantages of USB 3.0 capable devices, products like the CH11 are expected to displace drives using the older USB 2.0 standard in the market. Consumers who need to transfer large image, video, or other media files will find the CH11 an appealing option.

An added benefit of the CH11 is the inclusion of custom labels, providing users with a handy solution for labeling drive contents. The unit can be stored and used vertically, making it an excellent choice for those who frequently work with multiple external drives of different categories. The CH11 will be available in 500GB, 750GB and 1TB capacities. 

The CH11 will be available through ADATA's selected distributors and resellers.

Product picture:

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Crysis 2 Benchmark review performance using 15 CPUs and 18 GPUs

Here is the first review of the next Crytek FPS game Crysis 2 which will be released the next 1 March , inpai guys tested a leaked unfinished build of the game leaked on the web a week ago testing the new Crytek graphic engine under 15 CPU and 18 different Graphic cards : 

Graphic cards in test :

HD5550 550/1600MHz
HD5670 775/4000MHz
HD5750 700/4600MHz
HD5770 850/4800MHz
HD5850 725/4000MHz
HD6850 775/4000MHz
HD6870 900/4200MHz
HD6950 800/5000MHz
HD6970 880/5500MHz

GT240 550/3400MHz
GT430 700/1800MHz
GT440 810/3200MHz
GTS450 820/3800MHz
GTX460(256b) 675/3600MHz
GTX470 607/3348MHz
GTX480 700/3696MHz
GTX560 Ti 823/4008MHz
GTX570 732/3800MHz

CPUs in test :

Intel Pentium E5400
Intel Pentium E6500
Intel Pentium G6950
Intel Core i3 530
Intel Core i5 670
Intel Core i5 760
Intel Core i7 870
Intel Core i3 2100
Intel Core i5 2500

AMD Athlon II X2 250
AMD Athlon II X3 440
AMD Athlon II X4 640
AMD Phenom II X2 545
AMD Phenom II X4 945
AMD Phenom II X6 1075T

Through previous performance test, I believe everyone will know well about leaked "Crysis 2".As we expected, the quality of picture is excellent,Even the DX9 version "Crysis 2" still give great pressure on various popular graphics cards on the market .Even HD5770 and GTX460 can not run the game easily,and under high resolution and high-quality setting can not guarantee game FPS.

We can see that leaked "Crysis 2" does not put great pressure on processor,But we can see that dual core processors has showed the disadvantage,triple and quad-core processors (including Intel Hyper-Threading) got good performance,But which is limited under DX9 mode test, we expect under DX11 mode, the load of processor will be higher.Memory part, the current version demand is about 2GB, loading time is significantly increased, but effect in the frame rate is not big, we also expect under DX11 mode, the memory requirements will be slightly higher."

Benchmark result snapshot

Crysis 2 @ 1920x1200 benchmark test result:

full review

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Operation Flashpoint Red River new ingame gameplay video

Here is a new live gameplay video of the upcoming tatctical FPS game , Operation Flashpoint: Red River , the game will out April 21st in Europe & Australia and April 26th in North America on PC , Xbox 360 and PS3 .

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ASUS B3 Revision motherboards will be released this week

This week ASUS will start shipping motherboards based on the latest Intel's 6-series B3 chipset stepping , the new version of these motherboard will has a "New B3 Revision" stiker on the corner of the product box , check out the picture :

As part of an overall recovery plan following the detection of the Intel® 6 series chipset design error, ASUS has implemented various customer support measures, including extensive product replacement and return with additional service hotlines around the world.

Based on new information from Intel®, ASUS is happy to announce that updated Intel® 6 series-based motherboards will begin shipping this week*, immediately after the revised design is released by Intel®. This fast response aims to prevent any further inconvenience and interruption to customers.

Customers who already own potentially affected motherboards may visit http://vip.asus.com/eservice/changeSand ... uage=en-us for product return and replacement details.

Additionally, users can easily identify revised products by checking for labels showing “New B3 Revision” displayed on products and their packaging. The chipset version can also be verified through the onboard sticker, BIOS, ASUS SATA Verifier or CPUID’s CPU-Z utility.

As Intel® indicated the design error only occurs with certain SATA 3Gb/s ports, ASUS has created the SATA Verifier utility to help customers clearly identify all unaffected SATA 6Gb/s ports for each relevant product. This information can be found at http://event.asus.com/2011/mb/Identify_ ... SATA_port/

We would like to use this opportunity to encourage any current users in possession of affected ASUS products to carry out return and replacement promptly, so that the transition to the revised hardware is as smooth and fast as possible.

For additional information and assistance, please feel free to contact your local ASUS service hotline.

Product picture:

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ECS HDC-I Fusion motherboard with AMD E350/E240 APU details and specification

ECS just announced the HDC-I Fusion Mini-ITX motherboard based on the latest AMD dual-core E350 or single-core E240 APU:

Elitegroup Computer Systems (ECS) releases the latest motherboard HDC-I with built-in the newest AMD E-350 dual-core APU and E-240 single-core APU powered by AMD Hudson M-1 chipset; also, E-350/E-240 APU combining the RadeonTM HD6310 graphics inside enable users to experience more breathtaking home theater moment with less power consumed which would only be under 22watts (TDP). ECS HDC-I uses all solid capacitor for better quality and longer durability. So that ECS HDC-I is the best choice to “green” your Home Theater Personal Computer (HTPC) power for less price.

ECS HDC-I motherboard with AMD E-350/E-240 provides the impressive graphics performance for users who want to try the latest AMD FusionTM (APU) technology. ECS HDC-I also supports UVD 3 and DirectX 11 without a discrete graphic card. No matter users want to fully indulge in home theater moment or require thrilling gaming power, ECS HDC-I motherboard not only provides up to 3 VGA output choices- HDMI, DVI, and VGA to give users the unbelievable time for multimedia aims but also equips 8 channel HD audio and S/PDIF output to inspire users’ senses.

Mighty Slim ECS HDC-I
For the trend of saving space and energy, ECS works hard to provide the most ideal motherboard for HTPC. Within the mini-ITX size of ECS HDC-I motherboard, ECS does not neglect users’ high expanding expectation. ECS HDC-I even supports expansion as dual ports USB 3.0, eSATA, and SATA 6 Gb/s to enjoy the fastest transportation speed; One Mini PCI-E slot enables users to expand devices such as SSD, Wireless Lan Card and so on. In addition, Bluetooth enhances the interaction between HTPC and mobile devices. Besides, the fan-less heat sink helps to achieve more heat dispersion. Last but not least, the smart EZ Charger USB port provides the breathtaking speed especially for APPLE users. Not restricted by its size, there are full functions in rear I/O panel.

ECS HDC-I motherboard combining the latest AMD APU technology with abundant features and specifications (as below chart) is the ideal product for building up your own HTPC. ECS HDC-I has its debut at CeBIT 2011. Please visit Hall 17, E60, ECS booth during CeBIT 2011 March 01-2011 March 05 or visit ECS website or contact your local sales for more information.

Product picture:

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ECS H61H2-M2/3/5/A motherboards pictures and specification detailed

ECS today announced it's H61 series motherboards with the latest Intel B3 stepping chipset , so here is the press release , specifications and motherboards pictures:

Elitegroup Computer Systems (ECS) as the pioneer in the motherboard industry with the best quality and the leading position introduces the latest IntelR H61 series express chipset motherboards. With ECS H61 series motherboards, ECS presents the complete motherboard options powered by P67, H67 and H61 express chipsets supporting the 2nd generation IntelR CoreTM processor family. The complete series family provides plentiful choices for users from heavy-gaming need to entry-level requirement. At the same time, IntelR also releases the new Sandy Bridge Dual-core processors for users to have more solution plans with less price.

ECS H61 Series, the Highest C/P Ratio Motherboards Series
With the newest B3 stepping chipset, users can fully enjoy the SATA 3 Gb/s performance without worrying about degrade performance due to previous B2 stepping chipset. ECS introduces a series of H61 motherboards – H61H2-M, H61H2-M2, H61H2-M3, H61H2-M5, H61H2-I2 and H61H2-A with the highest C/P ratios. H61 series integrated with IntelR HD Graphics support users to enjoy entertainment moment without a discrete graphic card; meanwhile, it helps to lower power consumption and heat production with adopting the latest dual-core processors. ECS H61 series all equip with smart and useful applications- eJiffy / eBLU / eDLU / eSF to provide users more convenient computer-using experience.

ECS H61 Series, Entry to Enjoy Your PC
While IntelR positions H61 express chipset as entry level for 6 series express chipsets, ECS delightedly provides wide of options for users to meet different needs with form factors as ATX, Micro-ATX and ITX. For different demands, ECS H61H2-M series and H61H2-I2 motherboards integrating IntelR HD graphics support HDMI output providing users the high definition entertainment time. ECS H61H2-M and H61H2-M5 even support dual ports of USB 3.0 for users to experience the overwhelming transportation speed. Meanwhile, ECS H61H2-M3 and H61H2-A equip with EZ charger especially for APPLE users to enjoy the convenience of charging speed. Finally, ECS H61H2-A supports non-disc system and provides basic functions for users who only require for simply use. After ECS H61 series motherboards join the family of IntelR 6 series, ECS presents to satisfy every kind of desires of motherboards. All ECS H61 series motherboards are all compatible with the latest 2nd generation IntelR CoreTM processors in LGA 1155.

ECS H61 series motherboards specifications table:

Products pictures:

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Battlefield 3 gameplay and ingame graphics look , first video

Here is the first gameplay and ingame grahics video leaked into the web of the next FPS DICE game Battlefield 3 which will be released on the end of this year for PC , Xbox 360 and playstation 3 .

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Microsoft Windows 8 release date in mid 2012 ?

More rumors cumming about the next Microsoft operating system Windows 8 , ZD Net reported on a recent post that Windows 8 OS for PC is expected to be released by the mid of the year 2012 according to a leaked roadmap analyzed by Mary Jo Foley  , in the same year of the release of Windows 8 for tablet which will be available from DELL in January 2012 :

Microsoft execs also are not commenting on an alleged Dell roadmap leak from last week, which made it appear as if Dell will have a Windows 8 tablet ready in time for January 2012. While I wondered aloud last week (as did at least one Wall Street analyst) whether that meant Microsoft might be further along with Win 8 for systems-on-a-chip (SoC) processors than many of us previously believed, I’ve heard since that probably isn’t the case. That would mean the Dell “Peju” Win 8 tablet could be nothing but a demo machine for select developers … and maybe a debut at a Consumer Electronics Show (CES) keynote (?)…

In any case, if Microsoft does follow history and deliver a Win 8 Beta 1, Beta 2 and Release Candidate before RTMing, Windows 8 is looking like a mid-2012 RTM. The Windows 8 train seems to be running on time — just like the Win 7 one did.

Roadmap snapshot:

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Kinect SDK for Windows 7 is now official download link soon

Microsoft just announced what every PC user is waiting for , an SDK for the Microsoft Kinect which was exclusive for the Xbox 360 , the SDK tools will be released after few months .

The development kit will for sure give a new start for the windows development markets and both beginner and advanced programmers , with the official windows support kinect now the device will be another input device next to your mouse and keyboard .

Now here is a demonstration video of a live kinect in action under Windows 7 environment :

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Windows 7 SP1 direct link download is now online

Microsoft today announced its first Service pack update for Windows 7 OS , the Windows 7 SP1 is now available for download online on the Microsoft download center or through Windows Update after the leaked beta test , the download list also include the Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 (KB976932) :

 

Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 helps keep your PCs and servers on the latest support level. It also provides ongoing improvements to the Windows Operating System (OS), by including previous updates delivered over Windows Update as well as continuing incremental updates to the Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 platforms based on customer and partner feedback. This enables organizations to deploy a single set of updates.

Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 will help you:

• Keep your PCs supported and up-to-date
• Get ongoing updates to the Windows 7 platform
• Easily deploy cumulative updates at a single time
• Meet your users' demands for greater business mobility
• Provide a comprehensive set of virtualization innovations
• Provide an easier Service Pack deployment model for better IT efficiency

Download Windows 7 SP1

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Intel Poulson CPU specifications and architecture features

Packing 3.1 billion transistors on a 588mm² chip and using the 32nm technology the Intel's Itanium series will get eight-core code named Poulson , the new architecture can reach 6.4 GTransfers/second Quick Path Interconnect and 54MB cache, including 32MB sardes cache:

Intel skipped a process technology generation to make Poulson in its 32nm process. Tukwilla was made in a 65nm process. Thanks to the new process technology, Poulson is actually 20 percent smaller than Tukwilla.

Poulson also revs up Intel's Quick Path Interconnect, the CPU's interface, to 6.4 GTransfers/second from 4.8 GTransfers/s on Tukwilla while remaining pin compatible. Poulson has 54 Mbytes of total cache, including a 32 Mbyte shared cache.

Users should not have to recompile software to get the advantage of Poulson's new 12-issue pipeline. However, Intel has yet to complete software testing of the chip.

Architecture features :

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MSI P67/H67 B3 chipsets with free SATA problems

MSI just announced the Intel's 6 series B3 stepping with free SATA bug chipsets arrived:

Internationally renowned mainboard and graphic card manufacturer MSI held all affected mainboards to protect consumers immediately after Intel officially announced the SATA problems in its Series 6 chipset on 31 January 2011 (USA time). To extend its commitment to consumers, MSI also officially announced the implementation of the latest B3 Stepping chipset from Intel on its P67/H67 mainboards for fixing SATA problems in the Intel Series 6 chipsets.

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AMD Bulldozer CPUs features detailed

What AMD is planing to us ? so here is what we can expect from AMD at the ISCC 2011:

ISSCC 2011, happening from 2/20 – 2/24, will be no different. AMD is releasing information about a few of its current and upcoming products, and we’ll be using AMD’s Bulldozer blog throughout the course of next week to update you on some of the details being disclosed for the first time about AMD’s newest core design, “Bulldozer.” If you want access to the complete conference proceedings, please register for the conference to receive them. Here are the basic areas being discussed:

* Design Solutions for the “Bulldozer” 32nm: Showcasing AMD’s 32nm technology and leading-edge design techniques, this session will discuss the power savings, performance improvements and new competitive features offered up by “Bulldozer”. Session date and time: Monday, 2/21, 3:15 p.m.

* 40-Entry Unified Out-of-Order Scheduler and Integer Execution Unit for the AMD “Bulldozer”: This session will be used to dive even further into the Bulldozer architecture to understand its out-of-order execution set and how the integer unit performs. Session date and time: Monday, 2/21, 3:45 p.m.

* An 8MB Level-3 Cache in 32nm SOI with Column-Select Aliasing: Interested in the technical and design details of “Orochi,” AMD’s upcoming high-end desktop and server processor? This session will discuss the new technologies and power-saving features used in the design. Session date and time: Tuesday, 2/22, 2:30 p.m.

* A Low-Power Integrated x86-64 and Graphics Processor for Mobile Computer Devices: This session will look at AMD’s first generation Fusion processor, the AMD E-Series APU, formerly codenamed “Zacate,” which combines the power of an x86 CPU and AMD RadeonTM graphics manufactured on a 40nm die. You’ll learn how it was designed and how to optimize performance and energy usage. Session date and time: Tuesday, 2/22, 4:15 p.m. 

 

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Colorful Geforce GT440 Ymir-U and Buri-Slim specifications and pictures

Colorful, announces two models GT440 - iGame440 1G Ymir-U and iGame440 1G Buri-Slim. Both of these two cards are based on the same PCB solution, but with different coolers and clocks. 

iGame440 1G Ymir-U has better performance, it uses the "shark" design on the cooler, which with pure cooper base and nickel plated heat-pipe, providing better thermal and 3D performance. The clock is setting at 850/3800MHz (Core/memory), comparing to the reference edition 810/3600MHz, iGame440 has about 5% improvement.

iGame440 1G Buri-Slim is a single slot graphics card, uses Aluminum Wire Drawing on surface of the cooler shell, the speed of the PWM fan is 500-3000rpm, so that it could ensure the low noise level even in full-load. The clock of this card is setting at 810MHz/3600MHz.

Colorful says that these two cards will be exhibited in CeBIT2011 with other Colorful's products during March 1-5, and their booth is in K15, Hall 14.

Products pictures:

iGame440 1G Ymir-U :

iGame440 1G Buri-Slim:

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chrome 10 Beta performance benchmark and download link

Google chrome beta V10 is now public and available to download for everyone , the new Chrome 10 performance is boosted up to 66 percent in JavaScript operations, thanx to the use of the GPU beside the CPU and this help to increase the CPU usage down to 80 percent plus additional feature added like the password synchronization and improved customization tool :

In our new beta release, JavaScript is as quick as a bunny. With a new speed boost that we previewed in December, Chrome’s JavaScript engine V8 runs compute-intensive JavaScript applications even more quickly than before. In fact, this beta release sports a whopping 66% improvement on the V8 benchmark suite over our current stable release.

This release also includes a preliminary implementation of GPU-accelerated video. Users with capable graphics hardware should see a significant decrease in CPU usage. In full screen mode, CPU usage may decrease by as much as 80%! This means better battery life so you can keep going and going like that pink bunny in the commercials."

Chrome 10 Vs previous Chromes Benchmark result :

New feature video demo:

Download  Chrome 10 Beta Now

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Intel 14nm technology project to be ready by 2013 and 4,000 jobs coming

This is for sure a great news for US government and specially Barack Obama.

Intel today announced that it will invest $5 billion back into the US economy by launching the most advanced fab yet developing  14nm production process in Arizona which will create create 4,000 new temporary and permanent jobs in the US , the Fab will be ready in 2013 :

Intel to Invest More than $5 Billion to Build New Factory in Arizona

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

* Intel is building a new $5 billion-plus factory in Arizona.
* Fab 42 will be the most advanced, high-volume semiconductor manufacturing facility in the world.
* New fab will create thousands of construction and permanent manufacturing jobs at Intel's Arizona site.

CHANDLER, Ariz., Feb. 18, 2011 – Intel Corporation today announced plans to invest more than $5 billion to build a new chip manufacturing facility at its site in Chandler, Ariz. The announcement was made by Intel President and CEO Paul Otellini during a visit by President Barack Obama at an Intel facility in Hillsboro, Ore.

The new Arizona factory, designated Fab 42, will be the most advanced, high-volume semiconductor manufacturing facility in the world. Construction of the new fab is expected to begin in the middle of this year and is expected to be completed in 2013.

"The investment positions our manufacturing network for future growth," said Brian Krzanich, senior vice president and general manager, Manufacturing and Supply Chain. "This fab will begin operations on a process that will allow us to create transistors with a minimum feature size of 14 nanometers. For Intel, manufacturing serves as the underpinning for our business and allows us to provide customers and consumers with leading-edge products in high volume. The unmatched scope and scale of our investments in manufacturing help Intel maintain industry leadership and drives innovation."

While more than three-fourths of Intel's sales come from outside of the United States, Intel manufactures three-fourths of its microprocessors in the United States. The addition of this new fab will increase the company's American manufacturing capability significantly.

Building the new fab on the leading-edge 14-nanometer process enables Intel to manufacture more powerful and efficient computer chips. The nanometer specification refers to the minimum dimensions of transistor technology. A nanometer is one-billionth of a meter or the size one ninety-thousandth the width of an average human hair.

"The products based on these leading-edge chips will give consumers unprecedented levels of performance and power efficiency across a range of computing devices from high-end servers to ultra-sleek portable devices," said Krzanich.

Fab 42 will be built as a 300mm factory, which refers to the size of the wafers that contain the computer chips. The project will create thousands of construction and permanent manufacturing jobs at Intel's Arizona site.

About Intel
Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) is a world leader in computing innovation. The company designs and builds the essential technologies that serve as the foundation for the world's computing devices. Additional information about Intel is available at newsroom.intel.com and blogs.intel.com.

Intel and the Intel logo are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the United States and other countries.

* Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.

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Intel 510 SSD release date , specification and price listed

Intel is expected to launch the new Intel 510 Series SATA 6 Gb/s SSD on 1st March vr-zone reported, targeting the PC Enthusiasts users .

The 510 Series is the first Intel 6Gb/s SSDs , the 2.5" 9.5mm drive is available in two capacities: 120GB and 250GB using the 34nm NAND .

The expected price for the 120GB version will cost about $280 while the 250GB version will cost about $580 .

Intel 510 SSD series Specification and features:

• Up to 470MB/s Read; 315MB/s Write (128K Seq, 8GB span, QD=32)
• Up to 20,000 4K Rand Read; 5,000 4K Rand Write (8GB span, QD=32)
• Compatible with Intel 6 Series Express Chipsets
• Intel 34nm NAND MLC

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OCZ RevoDrive Vs OCZ IBIS benchmark Tests (Review)

xbitlabs tested the OCZ RevoDrive and OCZ IBIS benchmark  SSDs with PCI –Express interface . This type of devices is free from a common bottleneck – insufficiently fast SATA interface, so this is where we should be looking for a performance leader:

The considerable reduction in flash memory prices has helped solid state drives reach the mass market and disrupted the long-established trends and traditions of top-performance storage systems. There used to be but one way to achieve high disk subsystem performance which involved building RAID arrays out of 15,000RPM hard disk drives. The more HDDs you had, the higher the resulting performance of the RAID. Thus, a high-performance disk subsystem would always be large and hot.

Then came multichannel solid state drives. Flash memory endowed them with a fantastic read response time while the multichannel design ensured high sequential speeds. They even boasted high write speed thanks to the introduction of a spare pool of memory blocks always ready for writing and to their efficient algorithms of wiping unused cells that worked together with the TRIM command. Most importantly for server applications, you could have all this in a single and rather compact device with very low power consumption.

OCZ IBIS PCI-Express SSD specifications and features :

• Available in 100GB to 960GB capacities*
• OCZ High Speed Data Link (HSDL) interface 1.0 (10Gbps)
• Included single port HSDL adaptor card
• Onboard RAID 0
• OS Bootable
• 3.5" form factor
• Power Requirements: Standard SATA
• Dimensions: 146 (L) x 101.6 (W) x 25.4mm (H)
• Weight: approx. 339g
• Power Consumption: 6.6 Watts Idle, 9.5 Watts Active
• Operating Temp: 0°C ~ +50°C
• Storage Temp: -45°C ~ +85°C
• Shock Resistance: 1500G
• MTBF: 2 million hours
  
  *Actual IDEMA capacities may vary slightly

100GB -160GB Max Performance

• Max Read: up to 740MB/s
• Max Write: up to 690MB/s
• Sustained Write: up to 550MB/s
• 4KB Random Write: 100,000 IOPS

240GB - 960GB Max Performance

• Max Read: up to 740MB/s
• Max Write: up to 720MB/s
• Sustained Write: up to 600MB/s
• 4KB Random Write: 125,000 IOPS

OCZ RevoDrive PCI-Express SSD Specification and features:

• Available in 50GB to 480GB capacities
• PCI-Express interface (x4)
• For use as primary boot drive or data storage
• Internal RAID 0
• 181.07 (L) x 21.59 (W) x 125.08mm (H)
• Shock Resistance: 1500g
• Seek Time: 0.1 ms
• Operating Temp: 0°C ~ +70°C
• Storage Temp: -45°C ~ +85°C
• Power Consumption: 3W Idle, 8W active
• MTBF: 2,000,000 hours

50-80GB Max Performance

• Read: Up to 540 MB/s
• Write: Up to 450 MB/s
• Sustained Write: Up to 350 MB/s
• Random Write 4KB (Aligned): 70,000 IOPS

120GB-480GB Max Performance

• Read: Up to 540 MB/s
• Write: Up to 480 MB/s
• Sustained Write: Up to 400 MB/s
• Random Write 4KB (Aligned): 75,000 IOPS

Benchmark Result demo

 PC Mark Vantage HDD score benchmark result:

continue full review @ xbitlabs

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PlayStation Move Sniper Rifle and ShootGun by CTA Digital gameplay

Want to feel the the gun at your hand when playing FPS games , than this is just for you , CTA Digital announced today the the PlayStation Move Sniper Rifle Gun using the playstation move sensor to get you inside the FPS games action , the price tag of the gadget is $29.99 at Amazon :

We're happy to announce our Sniper Rifle controller for PlayStation Move. The Move Motion Controller is simply placed in the forearm of the rifle, and the rest of the accessory can be customized to suit the player's preference or to match in-game weapons. The scope, rear stock, and muzzle are easy to detach, transforming the full-sized rifle into a smaller, shotgun-sized firearm.

We expect this product to become popular among KillZone 3 fans - especially because of the game’s well-received Move support. It can also be used with MAG, Socom4 or any other Move enabled shooter.

Video demonstration:

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SPARKLE Calibre X570 features and pictures

SPARKLE today proudly introduced the Calibre X570 graphics card , delivering intense cooling performance and the broadest set of features for gamers who demand the best. With the excellent cooling solution from Accelero Xtreme, the Calibre X570 Graphics Card brings ultimate DX11 performance with OC function. This offers opportunities for enthusiasts and anyone intent on more hardcore applications to tap their full, powerful potential. Compared to reference GeForce GTX 570 graphics cards on market, the the Calibre X570 Graphics Card is overclocked out of box, it boosts the core, shader and memory clocks significantly to 772MHz, 1544MHz and 4212MHz, bringing better performance in the latest DX11 games. 

Accelero Xtreme Cooling Solution

Using the Accelero Xtreme cooling solution from Arctic Cooling, the Calibre X570 Graphics Card provides ultimate cooling weapon for hardcore gamers. The Accelero Xtreme features 5 heatpipes, 107 fins and 3 PWM fans. The radical optimized air flow design is targeting to cool effectively up to 225 Watt heat dissipation. The Accelero Xtreme can dramatically cool the temperature of the GTX 570 GPU at least 15ºC lower than the stock cooler. Together with the integrated memory and voltage regulator cooling, the Accelero Xtreme not only enhances the overclocking potential but also extends the card's service life. The three PWM fans bring maximum air flow but operate extremely silence, thanks to the low noise impellor design and the patented fan holder which eliminates the humming noise. The unnoticeable operation of Accelero Xtreme brings you the unparallel non-disturbed gaming experience ever before.

32x Anti-aliasing technology

The Calibre X570 Graphics Card implements a brand new 32x anti-aliasing mode for higher levels of image quality. And the GeForce GTX 570's enhanced compression engine maintains incredible performance with anti-aliasing and resolution cranked up, providing both high frame rates and top notch image quality.

 

1280MB GDDR5 Video Memory

Latest DX11 games and 3D applications, such as Lost Planet2, Mafia II and 3DMark 11, insanely use as large as possible number of bump texture, transparent texture to describe faces of characters and render realistic gaming scenes, so they put rigorous demands on the bandwidth and capacities of video memory and demand at least 1GB video memory. Compared with high-end graphics cards on market with 1GB GDDR5 video memory, the Calibre X570 Graphics Card comes with incredible large 1280MB high speed GDDR5 video memory, meeting the rigorous demands from current DX11 games and more.

Product pictures:

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In-Win BUC PC case detailed

In-Win Development Inc., has today launched its new performance PC chassis, the BUC.

The "shield" concept behind the BUC's design is echoed across its front panel, while the strong SECC steel construction and a hard-wearing black interior and exterior create a reliable, subtle and high quality case for PC builders.

 

The BUC's design gem is the clever EZ-swap HDD drive bay, with a lockable door that allows access to three HDD without having to remove the whole side panel. The tool-less, vibration reducing drive bays complete the package to give a triple innovation.

 

With convenient Super-speed USB 3.0, USB 2.0, audio and eSATA ports on the top of the chassis, users can easily connect headsets, cameras, cell phones, external hard drives and a wealth of other devices with ease. 

Product picture:

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AIDA64 v1.60 with support for AMD Fusion and Intel sandy bridge

A new version of our recommended benchmark and hardware diagnostics AIDA64 was known as EVEREST is out .

The latest AIDA64 update further optimizes the previously introduced AVX-acccelerated benchmark suite for the latest Intel Core i3/i5/i7 “Sandy Bridge” processors, implements AMD Fusion APU support, and provides graphics processor diagnostics for the latest AMD and nVIDIA GPUs.

New features & improvements

• Support for AMD Fusion "Ontario" and "Zacate" APUs
• Improved support for Intel "Sandy Bridge" processors
• Further optimized 64-bit AVX-accelerated fractal and security benchmarks
• Support for PCI Express 3.0 controllers and devices
• GPU details for AMD Radeon HD 6xxx and nVIDIA GeForce GTX 560 Ti
• Enhanced support for AMD and JMicron RAID controllers

Download AIDA64 v1.60 Now

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GeForce GTX 550 Ti VS Radeon HD 5770 performance and release date detailed

After the reveals of the new Nvidia GeForce GTX 550 Ti graphic card on the recent forceware driver version 266.7x, the release date and performance compared with the AMD Radeon HD 5770 also leaked.

The Nvidia GeForce GTX 550 Ti is a mainstream GPU based on the new GF116 chipset will be connected with 1GB GDDR5 memory and expected to launch on the next March 15 , the GeForce GTX 550 Ti should have the same PCB as the one on the GeForce GTX 550 and a TDP close to 110W.

The performance of the GeForce GTX 550 Ti is expected to be 35% faster than the AMD Radeon HD 5770 as vr-zone reported:

"Like the GF106, the GF116 will come with one 64-bit memory controller (out of three) disabled to form a 128-bit memory bus. The PCB will have a total of 12 pads, but only eight will be populated to provide 1GB of GDDR5 memory."

The card include dual-link DVI-I ports and one mini HDMI port for display output , and the price tag for the GeForce GTX 550 Ti is estimated to be at US$200 mark.

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PhotoFast GMonster3 XV2 SSD 6Gbps benchmark test and specification

PhotoFast GMonster3 XV2 - New 2.5" SATA 6Gbps SSD features and performance benchmarks leaked today at a press release :

SATA 6.0 Gbps SSD has been available on the market for months, with the performance just above SATA 3.0 Gbps bottleneck. Now we have pushed the new drive over the limit, closer to the theoretically 500MB/s. At the final version shipping firmware, improved NCQ command support would obvious be on QD32.

 

The new GMonster3 XV2 isn't aimed for just enthusiast but also consumers. When SATA 6.0 Gbps motherboards are ready, they deserve something to pair up. The beauty of the drive is that it's sequential

 

Price , MSRP :

64GB USD 110

128GB USD 200

256GB USD 400

512GB USD 800

Start shipping to Japan in April 2011.

Features

- Nearly 500MB/s, pushed to the bottleneck.

- Great cost/performance ratio

- No performance degrades on incompressible data. 

Product picture:

Specifications table:

	GMonster3-XV2 SSD
Features	Nearly 500MB/s, pushed to the bottleneck. Great cost/performance ratio No performance degrades on incompressible data.
Physical Specifications	Weight 105g±15g Dimension      W 69.85mm x D 100.00mm x H 9.5mm Host Bus Interface SATA 6.0 Gbps Capacity 64GB / 128GB / 256GB / 512GB
High Performance	Support NAND Flash MLC flash supported Support NAND Flash Read Seq. 500MB/s Write Seq. 450MB/s
Environmental	Operating Temperature 0℃ ~ 70℃ Storage Temperature -25℃ ~ 85℃ Humidity 0°C~55°C / 95% RH, 10cycles Vibration 20G Peak Shock 1500G

Benchmark Results

ATTO disk benchmark result:

Crystal Disk Mark benchmark result:

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