Asustek and Gigabyte - Intel P45 chipset launch

In an attempt to gain an edge in the competitive motherboard market, Asustek Computer and Gigabyte Technology have already unveiled motherboards featuring the new Intel P45 chipset for media review, as they gear up for the official June 2008 launch of the P45.Intel reportedly will officially launch its 4-series chipsets at Computex 2008, while motherboard makers will start shipping products later that month. However, Gigabyte's good sales performance in motherboard equipped with Intel 965 and P35 chipsets have brought significant competitive pressure on Asustek and both companies are circulating P45 boards for media reviews. As the P45 will have a long product life cycle of 18-24 months, the product is expected to be a crucial revenue driver for leading Taiwan-based makers of motherboards, the sources indicated.

via: DigiTimes

Endless Reboot Cycle for AMD/XP SP3 PCs

How about watching your PC continually reboot? That's what some aggravated Windows XP users have been doing Friday after installing the XP service pack 3 (SP3).

The problem appears to primarily affect AMD -based computers, though there are also some cases in which Intel -based machines will also run into trouble, Jesper Johansson, a former program manager for security policy at Microsoft who now runs a Windows-related blog, wrote in a recent post.

Mention of the reboot problem first popped up on the Microsoft forums on April 23, prompting some to speculate that the poster's problem was due to an outdated version of SP3, but users who installed the final version soon reported the same issue.

via pcmag

Recover deleted files on an ext3 file system

It happens to everyone sooner or later: a split second after you hit Enter you realize your mistake, but it's too late; you just deleted a valuable file or directory for which no backup exists. Or maybe you have a backup, but it's a month old... and in shock you see the past month flash before your eyes as you realize in pain what you'll have to do all over again...

Fortunately, you remember that files are never really deleted, at most overwritten by new content. So, you remount the disk read-only as fast as possible. But now?

The most frequently quoted passage comes from the ext3 FAQ itself:

Q: How can I recover (undelete) deleted files from my ext3 partition?

Actually, you can't! This is what one of the developers, Andreas Dilger, said about it:

In order to ensure that ext3 can safely resume an unlink after a crash, it actually zeros out the block pointers in the inode, whereas ext2 just marks these blocks as unused in the block bitmaps and marks the inode as "deleted" and leaves the block pointers alone.

Your only hope is to "grep" for parts of your files that have been deleted and hope for the best.

All information is still there, also the block pointers. It is just slightly less likely that those are still there (than on ext2), since they have to be recovered from the journal. On top of that, the meta data is less coherently related to the real data so that heuristic algorithms are needed to find things back.

Read full article to get deleted data from ext3 @ xs4all.nl

Memtest86+ v2.00

Based on the well-known original memtest86 written by Chris Brady, memtest86+ is a port by some members of the x86-secret team. Its goal is to provide an up-to-date and completely reliable version of this software tool aimed at memory failures detection. Memtest86+ is, like the original, released under the terms of the Gnu Public License (GPL). No restrictions for use, private or commercial exist other than the ones mentioned in the Gnu Public License (GPL). Texts about the original version was taken from the original website and written by Chris Brady.

Changelog:
o Major Architectures changes
o Modulo test now use random pattern for better accuracy
o Added Advanced DMI Errors Reporting Mode
o Added support for bus ratio changes on Intel Core CPU
o Added support for non-integer bus ratio on latest Intel CPU
o Added SPD Data Display for all Intel Chipsets (more to come)
o Added serial support as a linux boot parameter (Thanks to Michal S.)
o Added preliminary support for VIA CN Isaiah CPU
o Added preliminary support for Intel Nehalem
o Added support for VIA C7/C7-D/C7-M/Eden on Esther Core
o Added support for AMD K10 (Phenom) CPU w/ timings detection
o Added support for Intel Pentium E w/ 1 MB L2 Cache
o Added support for Intel Core 2 45nm (Penryn)
o Added support for FSB1333/FSB1600 Intel CPU
o Added support for Intel 5400A/5400B w/ timings detection
o Added support for Intel Q35/P35/G33/Q33 w/ timings detection
o Added support for Intel X38/X48 w/ timings detection
o Added preliminary support for Intel 5000P/V/Z
o Removed on-fly memory timings change (unstable)
o Numerous bugfixes

memtest.org

AMD Radeon HD 3870 X2 Review

AMD's R680 is a huge graphics card with huge potential. Does the HD 3870 X2 mark a return to competition for the Green Team?

Two is always better than one, right? Nevermind the performance decrease that occurred when SLI technology was enabled in its infancy. Forget about how much data is lost in high-performance, high-heat RAID-0 arrays. Don’t even bat an eye when huge computer cases are released touting two built-in power supplies. While doubling up has been the source of a fair amount of trouble in the hardware industry, it seems to most often provide a performance increase when all is said and done. But what happens when it doesn’t? What happens when a company spends thousands if not millions in R&D reworking and refining a product that ends up flopping when it hits the market? You can rest assured that it has happened in the past, and even though the companies responsible managed to persevere and today are doing quite well for themselves, one needs only to look to AMD and their infamous Quad FX platform to realize just how big of a risk doubling up can be.

It’s not that AMD’s Quad FX platform was inherently bad, or that their competition’s multitasking was a lot better, but that the way the technology was implemented led to other problems that a vast majority of buyers must have considered a pretty big deterrent. In a world where die shrinks and increased efficiency initiatives would have you thinking that perhaps the emphasis has finally switched from ‘bigger and better’ to ‘less is more’- a delusion if you really take a look at what’s going on – it is always curious when a company decides it necessary to release something totally against the trend. And yet, we have seen these products – many of them – released in the past year alone. That’s why more than a few heads were turned when “R680” showed up on AMD roadmaps and details began to emerge in the second half of 2007.

R680, otherwise known as Radeon HD 3870 X2, is AMD’s third attempt at a dual-GPU graphics card. ATI’s Rage Fury MAXX launched way back in December of 1999 to a generally mixed field of reviews. Many reviewers applauded the exceptional DVD playback and high-resolution 32-bit gaming abilities of the card while criticizing its astronomical price tag (at launch). Perhaps unlike today, however, ATI’s MAXX was not a direct port of a pretty well-designed and respectable existing GPU. Basing a new product on halfway decent technology rather than a poorly executed amalgam of antiquated parts is probably a pretty good idea. The Radeon X1950 Pro dual was another dual-GPU graphics card, but it saw very limited exposure in the press and presumably limited success in the presence of genuinely high-end cards at the time like the GeForce 7900GTX and Radeon X1950XTX (not to mention the fact that it only fit in the very biggest cases). The Radeon HD 3870 X2 on the bench today is a very early sample of the card and the drivers even more so. That’s not to say the numbers you’re about to see aren’t accurate, it’s just we wish we could have tested it closer to launch with proper software support.

System Configuration Used:

* Test SetupCase: Vigor Force
* Power Supply: Cooler Master Real Power Pro 850
* Motherboard: Foxconn N68S7AA
* Processor: Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6700
* Hard Drive: Western Digital WD2500KS 7,200RPM
* Video: NVIDIA GeForce 8800GTS 640, GeForce 8800GTX (stock, reference design clocks), Diamond Viper Radeon HD2900XT 1GB, 2x NVIDIA GeForce 8800GT, NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTS 512MB, AMD Radeon HD3870X2
* Sound: Creative X-Fi XtremeMusic
* Memory: 2048MB (2x1024MB) G.Skill PC2 6400
* Optical Drive: Lite-ON SHW160P6S05
* Cooling: ASUS Silent Square Pro

Software Configuration
* Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 32-bit
* Video Driver: NVIDIA ForceWare Version 169.01, AMD Vista Sample 8.45 RC4

Software Used:

* 3DMark2006
* FEAR (DX9)
* Call Of Juarez (DX10)
* Team Fortress 2 (DX9)
* Company Of Heroes (DX9, DX10)
* Oblivion (DX9)
* BIOSHOCK (DX9, DX10)
* Crysis

AMD Radeon HD 3870 X2 Specifications:

* Core Clock: 825MHz
* Memory Clock:1800MHz
* Memory Type: GDDR3
* Memory interface: 256Bit (x2)
* Memory capacity: 1024MB
* Manufacture Process: 55nm
* Transistor Count: ~1333 Million
* Math Processing Rate: 994 GFLOPS
* Shaders: 640
* Standard Shader Model: 4.1 (Vista Only)
* Standard DirectX Version: 10.1 (Vista Only)
* 128-Bit HDR Lighting
* 8192x8192 HR Textures
* Interface: PCIe 2.0

Full @ FPSLabs

AMD Phenom X4 processor pricing update

Different to a report unveiled earlier this month, a new pricing scheme for Phenom X4 processors would mean that AMD is ready to undercut similar Intel "Penryn" quad core processors when they are released next Monday.

The new Phenom processors are based on the K10 micro-architecture and will be aimed directly towards Intel's Core 2 family. On launch date you can expect three models to be available, all Phenom X4s which means they will carry four cores and a 2+2MB L2/L3 Cache: the 9700 (2.4GHz), 9600 (2.3GHz), and 9500 (2.2GHz).

According to sources close to AMD distribution channels we got word that volume pricing for these processors would look like this next Monday:
Phenom X4 9700 / 2400MHz / 4MB Cache / 2000MHz HT / 125W - $279
Phenom X4 9600 / 2300MHz / 4MB Cache / 1800MHz HT / 95W - $269
Phenom X4 9500 / 2200MHz / 4MB Cache / 1800MHz HT / 95W - $239

TechSpot.com

Asustek releases Xonar audio cards

Asustek Computer has introduced the PCI Express interface Xonar D2X and the USB interface Xonar U1 audio devices. The Asustek Xonar family of audio cards utilizes an Asustek exclusive technology – the new DS3D GX extension in the Xonar D2X driver; to provide full support for surround sound and hardware accelerated features by translating DirectX to the DS3D GX, according to the company. Other solutions like OpenAL require special installation and game support, while, DS3D GX does not, pointed out Asustek. Gamers can enjoy DirectX gaming with hardware enhanced surround sound and EAX effects automatically and immediately after installation, it added.

DigiTimes

AMD Launches 'Black Edition' Athlon 64 X2 5000+

To complement the Athlon 64 X2 6400+ Black Edition, AMD has silently launched its Athlon 64 X2 5000+ Black Edition. All technical aspects of the processor are identical to its non-Black Edition counterpart; the only new feature is an unlocked multiplier – allowing overclockers to increase the frequency of the processor without the need to adjust the HyperTransport clock. In other words, the chipmaker is hoping the processor’s overclocking performance will make it a worthy new product. According sources familiar with the new CPUs launch schedule, retail availability of the processors should come later this month, but as of right now no major supplier is selling the new processor. AMD guidance sets the MSRP of the Athlon 64 X2 5000+ Black Edition at $136 in quantities of 1,000.

DailyTech

AMD Barcelona Review

In just a short few hours AMD will officially launch its newest addition to is server processor lineup named Barcelona. Barcelona marks an important point in the AMD roadmap as it is AMD's first quad core server cpu.

This is the AMD Barcelona, or Opteron 2347 Quad Core processor which clocks in a 1.9Ghz. As some might have noticed this chip differs slightly from previous CPU's offered. The integrated heat spreader has a beveled edge. We can only speculate that this assist with heat transfer and mating of the heatsink to the CPU. The new Quad Core AMD Barcelona retains the same socket F as the current generation Opterons making the upgrade a no-brainer for IT admins looking to increase processing power and density without having to buy an entirely new board.

The new Opteron (Barcelona) not only adds two additional cores to the server lineup but it also adds a number of unique new features. Let's take a look at the guts of the Barcelona and compare them to the current Rev. F Opterons.

As you can see the new Barcelona reduces the amount of L2 cache by half of its older sibling but it adds 2MB of shared L3 cache and a 2nd FPU.

More @ TechWareLabs

ASUS P5K3 Premium/WiFi AP

Intel's newest P35 Express chipset brought along support for both DDR2 and DDR3 memory modules. As DDR3 modules are still not widely interesting because of their high price, ASUS decided to celebrate its 18th birthday in a specific manner. We have in front of us an ASUS P5K3 Premium/WiFi AP motherboard which has 2 GB of DDR3 memory - integrated!!!

The Black Pearl, as this motherboard model is suffixed, is supposed to be associated with the limited number of produced models. The bundle is very rich, so, alongside necessary cables, one can also find a WiFi antenna in the package as well. Still, let's start with the board layout. What comes to attention first is the heatpipe system. The quality of this kind of cooling is unquestionable.

Full Review...

Vista Battery Saver

Vista Battery Saver can help you save up to 70% of your battery life by disabling the Aero effects and the Windows Sidebar whenever your laptop runs on batteries, or is reaching a certain battery capacity. The features are automatically re-enabled when you plug your notebook into a power source.

HomePage

XdN Tweaker 0.8.7.6

XdN Tweaker is a free tweaking program for Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, and Windows Vista. It sets itself apart from the other tweak programs though by not being filled with options, settings, and "tweaks" that are actually normal options and menu settings of other programs. It tries to fill the gaps that other tweak programs overlook. Instead of just being another way of doing something you could do yourself just by clicking on "options" or "settings" in Windows, it offers features that Windows normally wouldn't allow you to do without digging into the system registry. Depending on if you run the program under Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, or Windows Vista, different options will be available to you (works with 32-bit and 64-bit Windows).

Features:

* Changes the number of Folder views Windows saves.
* Resets the folder views Windows has saved.
* Add/Remove classic Windows 2000 user control panel icon.
* Disable/Enable ATI Catalyst Control Center right click on Desktop (only for use if you have an ATI video card and have the Catalyst Control Center installed).
* Disable/Enable ‘SendTo’ right-click menu.
* Allows you to adjust and tweak TCP/IP settings.
* Disable/Enable ZipFolders.
* Disable/Enable the Outlook Express/Windows Mail splash screen.
* Put the File menu above the Back/Forward buttons in IE7.
* Remove or Replace the Search box in IE7.
* Disable/Enable User Account Control prompts under Vista.
* Disable/Enable the “- Shortcut” text under Vista.
* Attempt to force Vista to better save folder views.
* Disable/Enable Windows Media Player Explorer context menus.
* Add/Remove “Take Ownership” to right-click menus under Vista.
* Disable/Enable the Documents item on the Classic Start Menu.
* Changes “Delete” to “Search…” on Recycle Bin.
* Turn off the annoying full screen “black” UAC prompt.
* Enable Classic Search in Explorer and Internet Explorer.
* Disable/Enable Shutdown Reason dialog under Server 2003.
* Disable/Enable Windows scanning AVI files for thumbnails.
* Remove/Restore hidden ASPNET user that prevents auto login.
* Add “Tweak UI” icon to Control Panel (if installed).

What's new:
- added option for "Copy To" and "Move To" right click extension
- added the Right Click II page to Vista
- removed Sound control tool in XP/2k3
- misc gui updates, text changes and corrections


For Windows XP and 2003, the .NET 2 Framework is required!

XdN Tweaker Page

Asus 2600XT and 2600Pro - ATI mid range performance

ATI released their HD 2900 XT to an awaiting enthusiast audience who were (it has to be said), a little disappointed. Apart from the price and awesome bundle the card offered little new to the market.

Now the mid-range cards are upon us and once again ATI trail behind nVidia on release schedule. Having said that, Asus have given us a couple of nice looking cards with some 3rd party coolers so it will be interesting to see how these go down.

R600 becomes R630

In the spirit of making the lower chips have higher numbers than the top end, ATI have named their mid-range R630. With a scaled down version of the R600 architecture and boasting a nice 194 GFLOPS of power, the 2600 series looks pretty sweet on paper.

Full Review...

ATI Catalyst Display Driver 7.8 WHQL For WinXP/Vista

AMD have released version 7.8 of their ATI video card driver package.

The Catalyst™ software suite 7.8 contains the following:
- Radeon™ display driver 8.401
- Multimedia Center™ 9.16
- HydraVision™
- HydraVision™ Basic Edition
- Remote Wonder 3.04
- WDM Driver Install Bundle
- Southbridge/IXP Driver
- Catalyst™ Control Center Version 7.8

Release Notes

Asustek's Manual Overclocking Tool for Graphics Cards

Asustek Computer has unveiled what it calls “the world’s first hardware based real-time overclocking device for graphics cards” along with its new Nvidia GeForce 8600 GT-based graphics board. Asustek’s OC Gear real-time overclocking device should be installed into a spare 5.25” bay and connected to a USB port. Specially developed software will allow end-users to adjust system master volume, GPU clock-speed, GPU fan speed using a simple knob as well as monitor GPU temperature and current FPS information.

The EN8600 GT OC Gear graphics card from Asus is equipped with 256MB of high-speed 1ns GDDR3 memory as well as high-performance cooling system. The Asus OC Gear device itself is also compatible with various graphics cards by Asustek Computer, however, the company did not reveal whether the software needed for Asus OC Gear will support other than EN8600 GT graphics boards. Additional money end-users may have to pay for the OC Gear device compared to typical Asus EN8600 GT graphics card without it is unknown.

Xbit Laboratories

Dell's New Mobile Workstation

Dell is revamping its high-end workstation line with a notebook that will include Intel's new Centrino Pro platform and enhanced graphics technology from Nvidia. The Dell Precision M4300, which debuted on the Round Rock, Texas, company's Web site June 27, is immediately available and is the eventual replacement for the M65 workstation notebook. In addition to the Centrino Pro platform and the latest Core 2 Duo processors, the M4300 will take advantage of Intel's TurboMemory, a feature that allows applications and data to be stored in a NAND-based flash memory cache, which enables the laptop to boot faster. The notebook also uses Intel's vPro technology—a series of management and security features that are built into the platform.

In addition, Nvidia's Quadro FX 360M graphics chip set gives the notebook 100 percent better graphics performance than previous offerings, said Mano Gialusis, a product marking manager for Dell's workstations. The enhanced graphics ability will allow Dell to pursue high-end customers and creative professionals.

eWeek

Samsung 940UX USB LCD Monitor

With many manufacturers coming up with innovative new ways to make everything they can USB (even surround sound speakers are coming in USB now!), there are some things like our monitors that we may not have thought about in this fashion yet. Samsung isn't leaving this stone unturned for much longer, with the new 940UX monitor finding it's way onto the market. What makes this monitor different? Alongside the D-Sub and DVI connectors there's also a USB connector, giving the monitor full 2D USB functionality, eliminating the need to have a video card to power one of these displays. These displays are far more practical than you may think off hand, so it's time to read on to see just what this new product is all about!

More @ Here

Akasa Power+ iQ 650W Power Supply

Akasa have made a good name for themselves in the computer PSU market with their PaxPower series. While Akasa mainly offer fans and other computer modding parts, their first entry in the PSU market was a success as the PaxPower units were not only powerful but also exceptionally silent. Akasa recently revised most of their units and increased the number of models they offer. Today we will take a look at one of their new units, the Power+ iQ P650FH 650W unit. It has four 12V lines and boasts a load of features. Through the review we will try to find out if this particular unit can live up to the Akasa’s hard earned reputation throughout enthusiast circles.

Manufacturer specifications

• nVidia SLI certified
• Full range 650W (710W peak) ATX 12V 2.01 & EPS 12V
• 4 x 12V rails giving safe optimised power distribution
• Dual PCIe connectors
• 24 pins EPS connector with detachable 4-pins for ATX version
• Active PFC with 96% efficiency
• 80mm 2 ball bearing long life Sanyo Denki fan
• Efficient twin fan cooling with ‘straight through air flow’ design
• Built-in bronze heatsink enhancing heat dissipation
• Anti corrosive satin black coating
• UL 240VA safety approval
• Full safety approvals and protection

More @ DriverHeaven

Open-Source R500 Driver Released

The very first (and very rudimentary) open-source Xorg driver for the ATI Radeon X1000 "R500" series has been released! However, before downloading it, this driver only contains code to initialize and set video modes on the Radeon X1300 to X1600 graphics cards. RandR 1.2 support for the R500 driver is being worked on and may surface shortly. Their current road-map is for getting the Radeon X1600 to X1900 series initialize using this driver, add the RandR 1.2 support, add simple 2D acceleration, work on R500 3D reverse engineering, and implement TTM DRM for memory management. Today's first open-source driver release for the R500 series is available through git on FreeDesktop.org. As this driver progresses we will provide additional information and ultimately benchmarks.

Xorg list

Intel's Next-Gen Chipset - Speed, Graphics and Sound

Short of a faster CPU, the most significant thing a chip manufacturer can build to speed up computers is a better, faster chipset -- the array of processors surrounding and supporting the CPU. Intel's latest chipset is just that, with a faster channel for moving data in and out of memory, an upgraded PCI interface for faster video cards, and support for better video game graphics.

Announced Monday at Taipei's Computex trade show, Intel's 3 Series chipset is a rare event in the computer industry: How often is it that 100 manufacturers are already on board when a new platform is announced?

But while Intel touts the 3 Series' support for DDR3, PCI Express 2.0 and DirectX 10, what does that actually mean? Can I get cod or haddock with my chipset?

First, a chipset has nothing to do with delicious, deep-fried potatoes. The unsung hero of computing, it comprises the supplemental processors that allow a motherboard to move information to and from major components such as the CPU, RAM and peripherals.

DDR3 isn't the latest dance mat game from Konami. Instead, "DDR" stands for "double data rate." It refers to how fast a computer can whisk information to and from its memory; it's "doubled" because the data can come or go twice for every beat of the chipset's master clock.

The "3" in "DDR3" refers to the latest version of the tech, bringing with it a 40 percent reduction in power use, a bigger buffer to hold data before it's needed and a theoretical increase in transfer rate to 1,600 MHz, though "only" 1,333 MHz will be supported in the first 3 Series motherboards. When buying RAM, you'll often see those numbers in the model name, and it's this, after capacity, that matters most. By way of comparison, today's fastest memory architecture transfers data at 1,066 MHz.

PCI Express 2.0 promises faster video performance. The previous version, PCI Express 1.1, has already been given a workout by the latest graphics boards, which can be as expensive as $850. By doubling bandwidth from 2 Gbps to 4 Gbps, PCI Express 2.0 is a future-proofing measure. No video cards are yet available to take advantage of the new bandwidth, but Advanced Micro Devices' and Nvidia's next-generation models will doubtless claim to. The new slots are backward-compatible.

Read More...