MSI and Gigabyte to launch low-cost PCs

Micro-Star International (MSI) and Gigabyte Technology are planning to launch their low-cost PCs by the end of the second quarter this year, according to a Chinese-language Commercial Times report citing sources at the two makers.

MSI showcased its Wind notebook at CeBIT 2008, which will feature either an 8.9- or 10-inch panel and will be priced between 299-699 Euros (US$470-1099).

DigiTimes.com

MSI builds 'powerless' processor cooling fan

MSI has come up with a novel way of keeping processors cool and conserving energy at the same time: use the CPU to drive its own fan.

It's actually a new implementation of an old discovery. MSI's Air Power Cooler uses the energy inherent in the expansion of air as it warms up to drive a fan. As the CPU gets hot, it causes air in a piston to expand. That pushes out the piston rod, which turns the fan rotor, pulling air over a heatpipe-fed heatsink. The heatsing helps cool the piston, so the air inside becomes more dense, pulling the piston rod back to its original position.

reghardware.co.uk

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

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 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...

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...

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

Asustek to ship motherboard with HD interface

Asustek Computer plans to launch a PC motherboard in April with an interface that will allow users to watch high definition (HD) movies on either the Blu-ray Disc or HD-DVD formats. The ASUS M2A-VM-HDMI comes with an HDMI (high definition multiple interface) slot, which is where users can plug in a high definition player and enjoy cinema-like films on their PC monitors - so long as the monitors are also high-end LCD (liquid crystal display) products. HDMI can also be used with other disc formats, such as DVD. The board, which is aimed at home theater PC users, is priced at NT$3,190 (US$96.46)

Source: InfoWorld

NVIDIA BIOS Editor (NiBiTor)

NiBiTor is the original and definitive BIOS tweaker that supports the latest NVIDIA graphics cards, and which is updated on a regular basis. NiBiTor allows graphics card enthusiasts, or the hardcore overclockers to have full control over some advanced features and functionality found on firmware of supporting cards. Doing so users gain some extra performance, enable certain hidden features, tweak memory latencies, provide extensive information, adapt bootup settings, change fan speed options and/or get extra stability on the NVIDIA based graphics accelerators.

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XFX GeForce 8800GTS 320MB XXX (Factory Overclocked)

The particular variant we are looking at is the XXX edition which has the highest core and memory speed - the other OC version from XFX is the Extreme edition which has slightly higher clock speeds than the base model but lower than XXX edition. There is also of course a default (base) model although we have seen the performance of that from the MSI GTS 320MB product offering already. Let’s continue on and see what XFX have for us package wise before we check out the card and then later its performance. It is actually worth spending more on the factory overclocked edition or is it a waste of money?

Full Story @ TWEAKTOWN

ASRock ALiveNF6G-DVI AMD Socket AM2 Motherboard

This Review will clarify if the ASRock ALiveNF6G-DVI MicroATX motherboard with onBoard GeForce 6100 graphics solution and provided HDMR DVI-D card can convince in a normal course of HTPC life, and if it is high overclockable. The first look to the equipment already shows ASRock's main focus of this inexpensive mATX motherboard.

Full Story @ OCINSIDE