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Pantech C610 Reviewed @ TestFreaks.com

October 31st, 2008 by Kristofer

Title: Pantech C610 Reviewed @ TestFreaks.com

Review Link: http://www.testfreaks.com/blog/review/pantech-c610-reviewed/

Review Snipit:
” Last Friday I took a look at the Pantech Matrix, this week I’ve got another Pantech phone, the C610 Lena . The C610 is a flip style phone with quite a few features that most people will like, it’s got Bluetooth stereo, still and video camera, video sharing, to name a few of the features. “

Category: Product Reviews | No Comments »

News for Octoboer 31st 2008! Happy Halloween!

October 31st, 2008 by Kristofer

Title: Fedora 7 to 10 Benchmarks @ Phoronix
Direct Link: http://www.phoronix.com/vr.php?view=13046
Summary: “Earlier this week we published benchmarks of all Ubuntu releases from 7.04 to the release candidate and had found the performance degraded with time, at least with the test system we used. As part of our testing to explore this issue, we had repeated many of the same tests on Fedora with all of their releases going back to Fedora 7. Has Fedora’s desktop performance degraded too? Read the article to find out.”

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Title: XFX GeForce GTX 260 Black Edition @ Techgage

Link: http://techgage.com/article/xfx_geforce_gtx_260_black_edition/

Quote: No matter your need for graphics power, the choice of GPUs right now is fantastic. Where high-end gamers are concerned, two popular options are the HD 4870 1GB and the GTX 260/216. We’re taking a look at XFX’s latest release of the latter, which features such an impressive factory overclock, it manages to keep up to the GTX 280

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NEW CONTENT (Guides) - TweakTown’s Guide To Water Cooling Made Easy

QUOTE: “I’ve always wanted to move to water cooling in my main rig as long as I’ve had a computer. And with the nagging engineer in the back of my head telling me never to mix water and electronics, I took the plunge anyway. In this article I will cover an easy way of essentially “buying” your way into water cooling without the worry of matching up hose diameters and connectors etc.

The first thing to do is to get a suitable motherboard and there are a lot out there. But if you are going to water cool then you will want an enthusiast / high-end board that can support some decent overclocks while running your water cooling setup. I have chosen GIGABYTE’s EP45-EXTREME motherboard; this because I have RAM that can be seriously overclocked as well as a new 45nm Wolfdale CPU. But the main attraction of this board is the pre-built water block for the Northbridge.”

For more information, please visit - http://www.tweaktown.com/guides/1641/tweaktown_s_guide_to_water_cooling_made_easy/index.html

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Title: Patriot Extreme Performance Viper Series PC2-8500 4GB Memory at Modders-Inc

Summary: The Extreme Performance Enhanced Latency modules are designed to operate at 1066MHZ with 5-5-5-15 timings. They utilize Patriots Viper Heat Shields with integrated ACC (Aluminum Copper Composite) technology. They are designed for maximum performance and stability under extreme overclocking conditions. So let’s dig in and find out.

Articles URL: http://www.modders-inc.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=232

Site URL:  http://www.modders-inc.com

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Title:                                  MSI Wind U100 subnotebook review

Direct Link:
http://www.modreactor.com/english/Reviews/MSI-Wind-U100-subnotebook-review.html

Quote: “Through this year we witnessed the return of a certain new
class of devices – the small fully functional mobile computers or
in other words the “subnotebooks”. We got to play around quite
seriously with one representative of the class in question - namely
the MSI Wind. Well now, impressed as we are let’s see how much of
„Atom” performance is hidden in its stylish design and miniature
size. ”

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“It seems that “masters of the coolers” decided to cover all users’ needs for power supply units and we got on test UCP (Ultimate Circuit Protection) series that brings several innovations. The present state on the computer market confirms that multi CPU and GPU systems are not science fiction anymore. If you have Quad Core CPU with SLi or CrossFire GPU system in your computer case, soon you’ll realize that PSU is one of the basic things that you should choose very carefully for your configuration. Cooler Master promoted itself to a new level with its Real Power series, earning very enviable reputation…”

If you are interested to read some more, we present you link:

http://www.insidehw.com/Reviews/PSUs/Cooler-Master-UCP-900W-and-1100W.html

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Title: Scythe Musashi VGA Cooler Review @ High Techreviews.com

Snippet: The Scythe Musashi VGA cooler is unique in it’s design
featuring a pair of 100×100x 10mm fans and dual heatpipe cooling
which is usually reserved for CPU heatsink. Scythe has applied this
proven cooling method to VGA cooler that takes only one slot from
your computer when installed, but it is well worth the minor
inconvenience.

Link:
http://hi-techreviews.com/reviews/current-reviews/scythe-musashi-twin-fan-vga-cooler.html

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We have just posted a full review of the Samsung SyncMaster 2463UW 24in LCD.  This LCD has an impressive list of features including a 160 degree viewing angle, integrated speakers, microphone and web cam.  It also ships with the standard VGA, DVI inputs and even includes HDMI to make sure all the bases are covered.  Take a look and see how this unit adds up as we test color accuracy, lighting uniformity and more.  Make sure to catch all the details in our review.

Title: Samsung SyncMaster 2463UW 24in LCD
URL: http://www.bcchardware.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=6329&Itemid=40

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Title: Sapphire HD 4830 Video Card Review
Link: http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/641
Category: Reviews

Summary:
The new Radeon HD 4830 is the most affordable video card in the Radeon HD 4800 family from ATI/AMD. Is this a good product? Let’s see.

Here is a snippet:
“ The recently launched Radeon HD 4830 is basically a capped Radeon HD 4850, running at lower clock rates and having less graphics processors  available, but offering a far more attractive price tag than its big sister. Does this new video card provide a good cost/benefit ratio like its big sister? Let’s see.”

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Title:

Sapphire Radeon HD 4670 512MB Video Card Reviewed @ TheTechLounge
Quote:
“I have always had problems endorsing the sub-hundred dollar video card.  Usually, for an amount less than the video game you intend to play, you can get a card that can actually play said game, unless you really don’t care about turning the detail setting up–which, as far as I’m concerned, is the way the developers intended it.  They come with lots of RAM and no hardware to drive it, inadequate, bottom-dollar cooling, and disappointment. But I’m about to tell you that the HD 4670 isn’t a complete waste.  I know, weird, right?  Now, it’s just one of many options, which I’ll get to here in a minute.  But for the first time since ever, eighty bucks’ll let you play the Orange Box, Unreal Tournament 3, and yes, Crysis.  Well, Crysis, admittedly, not on High.  But everything else maxed out, with anti-aliasing, and at your display’s native resolution.”
Article URL:
http://www.thetechlounge.com/article/587/Sapphire-Radeon-HD-4670-512MB-Video-Card/

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Gigabyte EP45-UD3P Motherboard Review motherboards.org

Author: Benjamin Sun Date: 10-29-2008

The Intel P45 Express chipset has been amazingly competitive within the market the true successor to the P35 chipset that preceded it. Every major motherboard manufacturer with the obvious exception of AMD and certain NVIDIA partners that use NVIDIA chipsets only such as EVGA and XFX has at least 3 P45 motherboards in their lineup. Gigabyte is a Tier-1 motherboard manufacturer based in Taiwan and is a favorite among the hardcore enthusiast crowd due to their tweaking options on their boards. A couple of years ago Gigabyte introduced the Ultra Durable brand of technologies to lower power usage and increase overclocking capability. Ultra Durable 3 the latest generation of these technologies was introduced last month. Today I’m reviewing the Gigabyte EP45-UD3P motherboard based upon their Ultra Durable 3 technology.

Review Link: http://www.motherboards.org/reviews/motherboards/1829_1.html

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Okay, time for another round of in-your-face video card action. There are several video cards on the market right now that will show you a good time. Some do it for a little more, some do it for a little less. But just like a trip to Vegas, what really matters is the quality of the experience. And also like Vegas, you get what you paid for. The difference between choosing video cards and choosing a good time in Vegas? The genital warts…

Today I’m sinking my tooth (I’m from the South, that’s all I have left) into the ATI Radeon X1600. The Radeon X1600 series is designed to deliver outstanding digital entertainment and 3D graphics through its unique ultra-threaded architecture and Avivo video and display technology. The X1600 is CrossFire Ready to deliver the ultimate gaming performance. The one I’m playing with today is sporting 512MB of pure video power, and can be purchased for around $100 on the online marketplace. It’s a pretty damned sweet video card.

Review URL ::
http://www.ocmodshop.com/ocmodshop.aspx?a=1394

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It’s hard to avoid making comparisons to Apple’s iPhone when you mention the HTC Touch Diamond. Although they are very different phones running on different operating systems, the Touch Diamond is arguably one of the closest competitors in the U.S. market today to the popular iPhone in terms of unique touch controls, an attractive looking user interface, power and versatility.

Even though the phones compete in some areas, it’s important to understand that there’s a big difference between the Touch Diamond and the iPhone in terms of their intended users. You see, HTC designed the Touch Diamond as a Windows Mobile, business-friendly device.  Come on by the site and take a look…

Sprint HTC Touch Diamond Smartphone:

http://hothardware.com/Articles/Sprint-HTC-Touch-Diamond-Review/

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NBA 09 The Inside - PSP Review

Date: 10-29-2008 Written By Vlad

NBA 09 The Inside is a tough game to beat especially if you play it on the harder difficulties. The strategy is essential for a successful outcome and if your strategy fails then making shots is almost an impossible task. For example a player that is terrible at shooting 3-pointers will only make a lucky 3-pointer once in a while regardless if that player is open or not. Learning your players, paying attention to the open man and adjusting the strategies accordingly may seem like a chore, and for your play style it might be. However, if you’re willing to give this game some time and assuming that you are a real basketball fan, then NBA 09 The Inside is a must have basketball game. It is a game that I will play for many seasons; eventually I will restore the formal glory of the Chicago Bulls.

Link: http://www.gamepyre.com/reviewsd.html?aid=1025&p=1

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Title: Fallout 3 PC-Game Review on Technic3D

Link: http://www.technic3d.com/article-766,1-fallout-3-erfuellt-es-alle-erwartungen.htm

Quote: “The third game in the Fallout series, Fallout3 is a singleplayer action role-playing game (RPG) set in a post-apocalyptic Washington DC. Combining the horrific insanity of the Cold War era theory of mutually assured destruction gone terribly wrong, with the kitschy naivety of American 1950s nuclear propaganda, Fallout3 will satisfy both players familiar with the popular first two games in its series as well as those coming to the franchise for the first time. Feeling like a dastardly villain today, or a Good Samaritan? See you in the following Review.”

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The Strangers Blu-Ray Review @ Ascully.com

Quote

“I do like what they were trying to do with The Strangers, it might not work completely, but it’s an effort to do something a little different with a familiar genre, and that’s always a good thing. It’s not 100% typical of the kind of scary/horror movies someone who has seen thousands of movies might expect and yet the story isn’t uniquely intriguing. What exactly am I talking about???”

Article Link - http://www.ascully.com/?page_id=1976

Podcast Link - http://www.ascully.com/?p=2060

Article Title - The Strangers Blu-Ray Review @ Ascully.com

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The WRT610N worked reasonably well in our tests, though you can get better 802.11n performance if you’re not bothered about dual-band. You should expect data throughput rates to top out at around 75- to 80Mbps in 5GHz, and ranges of 20- to 50Mbps in 2.4GHz. In a rough comparison, Apple’s AirPort Extreme Base Station with Gigabit Ethernet generally hits over 100Mbps in the fastest 5GHz mode in testing, though speed obviously differs depending on location. Overall the WRT610N is easy to use and all of the important features you need from a router are present - except perhaps for a broadband modem and the facility to serve printers. You’ll love the WRT610N if you’re an early adopter who thrives on the latest kit, but consumers still getting their head around wireless networking don’t need the additional complications of dual-band.”

http://www.itreviewed.co.uk/rev.php?id=833

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Category: Everything and Anything, Product Reviews | No Comments »

InternetVue 2020 Wireless PC2TV Receiver @ TestFreaks.com

October 30th, 2008 by Kristofer

Title: InternetVue 2020 Wireless PC2TV Receiver @ TestFreaks.com

Review Link: http://www.testfreaks.com/blog/review/internetvue-2020-wireless-pc2tv-receiver/

Review Snipit:
“Today for review I’ve got the InternetVue 2020 Wireless PC2TV Receiver, it’s an interesting little box that looks just like a wireless router, but it has a more specific job, which is to receive whatever is on your PC and play it on your television wirelessly. The InternetVue 2020 virtually eliminates the need for an HTPC in the home as your regular PC becomes the HTPC, no matter where it is in the house.  As the name suggests you can also hook the InternetVue 2020 directly to the internet and enjoy streaming videos and more though the built in browser without having to even turn on your computer.  “

Category: Product Reviews | No Comments »

Sunbeam Core-Contact Freezer CPU Cooler Reviewed @ DragonSteelMods.com

October 30th, 2008 by Kristofer

Title: Sunbeam Core-Contact Freezer CPU Cooler Reviewed @ DragonSteelMods.com

Review Link: http://www.dragonsteelmods.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=10015&Itemid=1

Review Snipit:
“We haven’t taken a look at any CPU coolers in a while, so today I’ve got the Sunbeam Core Contact Freezer CPU Cooler for review. As the name suggests, the heatpipes are in direct contact with the top of your CPU to supposedly provide good cooling performance. The Core Contact Freezer is a lightweight cooler that appears well made and offers up some decent performance numbers when compared to other on the market today, so continue on to learn more about this cooler… “

Category: Product Reviews | No Comments »

News for October 30th 2008

October 30th, 2008 by Kristofer

“Comodo’s Registry Cleaner is a really good program. It’s fast, effective, and is a snap to use. And the fact that it’s free means you’ve got absolutely nothing to loose. When we tested the software on our review machine it managed to improve its boot time by around 5 seconds. Total memory usage also dropped, which was also quite an improvement - stemming from fixing 648 registry errors! It didn’t harm our system in any way, either, which is the main thing. Another free registry cleaner worth testing is CCleaner, which also cleans traces of your online activities such as your Internet history. The only downside with CCleaner is that it’s a ‘mild’ registry cleaner and does not go as deep as Comodo’s Registry Cleaner. If you feel uncomfortable using free software for some reason, check out Uniblue’s RegistryBooster 2009 (£19.99).”

http://www.itreviewed.co.uk/rev.php?id=832

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Article Name: Thecus N4100 Pro NAS Review @ Tweaknews.net
Article Url: http://www.tweaknews.net/reviews/thecus_n4100pro_nas/

Article Snippet:

“Once again, Thecus has shown us an impressive product with the N4100 Pro. The setup process from start to finish was easy enough for a novice, but there are many additional features that advanced users will enjoy tweaking as well.”

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Everything USB is pleased to announce our Microsoft Arc Mouse review.

Available in glossy red or black, the Microsoft Arc Mouse is a rather unique blend of style, portability and functionality. Possessing an artful hinged semicircular shape that allows the mouse to fold to nearly half-size for travel, the 2.4 GHz wireless Arc Mouse boldly claims to be portable while offering the comfort of a full-size mouse. Many manufacturers have tried to make the ubiquitous mouse more travel-friendly, but all to date significantly sacrifice either comfort or features. How does the Arc Mouse succeed at stylishly trying to provide the best of both worlds? Read on.

http://www.everythingusb.com/microsoft-arc-mouse-15561.html

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I4U NEWS published a review of the Logitech Pure-Fi Anytime iPod Alarm Clock.

Quote from the review:
“Today we are looking at the Logitech Pure-Fi Anytime iPod charging alarm clock. The device has dual alarms and a motion sensitive snooze function. If you are looking for a new iPod dock for the bedroom, the Logitech Pure-Fi Anytime may be perfect.
All dockable iPod and iPhone models are supported and non-dockable iPod models and other MP3 players are supported via a 3.5mm jack on the rear of the device.”

Full Review:
http://www.i4u.com/full-review-497.html

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NEW CONTENT (Miscellaneous) - iBuyPower Australia FragBox SFF PC

QUOTE: “The thing is, there’s something cool about having a 30″ monitor powered by this tiny machine. Most of the things I find myself buying these days are because I want them, not need them. A Micro-ATX system would sit nicely in that category. The problem is that for so long there has never really been the components out there to really build a system that could power such a large monitor. But this has changed a few months ago thanks to two companies; the first was Lian Li who brought out a Micro-ATX case that was small, but not too small. What it allowed you to do was have a small footprint whilst still holding the goods.

The other company was DFI; the release of the LANParty Jr board based on the P45 chipset brought the biggest smile to my face. Talking to the guys down at IBuyPower Australia, it was only a matter of time before the two pieces of equipment found themselves merged together. The time has come and that time is today. This is one machine that you will find yourself getting excited about. Upon powering the machine up, I felt like a kid in a candy store…with all the windows open and a hurricane coming through. But we will get into that a bit later.”

For more information, please visit - http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/1640/ibuypower_australia_fragbox_sff_pc/index.html

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Title: Seeking The Best Performance per Watt for Folding@Home
Link: http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/640
Category: Reviews

Summary:
We tested several video cards to see which one provides the best performance/watt ratio in order for you to get a high score at Folding@Home and, at the same time, not going bankrupt with the increase in your electricity bill.

Here is a snippet:
“We got so excited in participating in the Folding@Home project that we built as many high performance systems we could running both the SMP and GPU clients. We were very happy with the results until we received our first electricity bill: our energy consumption more than doubled – and we haven’t even had our systems running 24/7 for 30 days! Since we still wanted to contribute as much as we can to Folding@Home, we decided to go in a quest to find out if there is a way to score lots of points at Folding@Home and, at the same time, not going bankrupt. We got all video cards we had available here in our lab to see which one provided the best performance/consumption ratio. Check it out.”

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Title: Gigabyte EP45-UD3P @ Techgage

Link: http://techgage.com/article/gigabyte_ep45-ud3p/

Quote: Looking to build a new machine on a budget? Then look no further than choosing Gigabyte’s EP45-UD3P as your choice for motherboard. It may not offer a lot in the area of bling, but it includes a solid design, lots of connectivity options (including 8 USB and S-ATA), fantastic overclocking potential and best of all, it comes in at an average price of $115.

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Hardware Bistro has just posted latest review; Gigabyte GA-EP45-DS3 Motherboard Review. Thanks

Quote: “Just few months ago Intel launched their latest mainstream chipset P45 Express; Codename “Eaglelake”. The major different for P45 and P35 is P45 can support PCI Express 2.0. Today we are going to test out this P45 board from Gigabyte; GA-EP45-DS3. Gigabyte has total around 20 boards for this Intel P45 chipset and GA-EP45-DS3 is the most basic version of their P45 chipset line. ”



Read More:
http://hardwarebistro.com/index.php?option=com_simple_review&Itemid=84&review=16-Gigabyte-GA-EP45-DS3-Motherboard-Review

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CaseCritics.com has just posted their review on the Coolermaster CM690 Chassis.

Quote
“Coolermaster has a long reputation of designing high quality coolers and back in the day their cases were only available as premium cases. I owned two Coolermaster ATC220 cases and they were pretty awesome. Nowadays Coolermaster offers a wide range of cases for all sorts of budgets. Ranging from the higher end RAF chassis to the more plastic and steel like cases, such as the one we are looking at today. It’s called the Coolermaster CM 690 with a price tag of around 65 euro’s its fairly cheap.

Direct Link - http://www.casecritics.com/2008/10/coolermaster-cm690/

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Some say that with today’s computers, defragmentation is unnecessary and then list a hundred ways for someone to go in and tweak the computer. However, even if you were to tweak your computer and manage not to tweak the wrong component and render the computer inoperable, defrag is still a necessary task. For those who want relatively fast results and minimal computer downtime, Diskeeper 2008 Pro Premier’s automatic defrag feature is ideal. Power users, those with slower (and noisy) machines, and laptop users will likely turn off the automated features and use Diskeeper 2008 as a manual defragmenter, but at least the option is there for hassle-free defragmenting. Personally, we prefer the simplicity, effectiveness and price of Raxco’s PerfectDisk because the word ‘automated’ gives us the bajeebers.”

http://www.itreviewed.co.uk/rev.php?id=831

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Title: HIS HD 4850 IceQ 4 TurboX at Overclockers Online
Link: http://www.overclockersonline.net/index.php?page=articles&num=2091
Quote: When the HIS HD4850 IceQ 4 TurboX finally arrived, I knew I was in
for a treat. It comes overclocked from the factory by a hefty margin without
increasing the heat on the card or the noise. Compared to my Sapphire Toxic
and 8800GT OC2, this card is whisper quiet. I wasn’t even sure if the fan
was working properly because it was so quiet. It sounds cliche, but with
every aftermarket cooler or stock cooler I’ve tried, they always end up
being louder than I thought they would be. Not with the IceQ 4. HIS
engineers have done a fine job at perfecting this cooler.

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Title:
Vidabox Premium Wireless Keyboard

Link:
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/VidaBox/ACCRFKBLTB

Brief:
With HTPC’s gaining more and more in popularity, various input devices and peripherals for them are becoming a more integral part of the market. With many options to choose from for keyboards, mice and the combination of both, it’s hard to come to a conclusion on what suits the HTPC best. Vidabox may have an answer with their Vidabox Premium Wireless Keybaord w/ laser trackball as an all in one solution.

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Two perpetually, almost fad-like and recurring themes for computing technology in 2008 are low power, environmentally friendly products as well as tiny, small form-factor or ultra-portable machines. Power consumption and size — it has become undeniably hip and cool to offer products that cater to the new carbon footprint and mechanical footprint-minded consumer. If you didn’t know better, it almost seems like the introduction of Asus’ Eee PC started the craze back in Q4 of ‘07 but clearly, at least small form-factor system have been around for many years.

Some of you will remember Shuttle’s line of wildly popular barebones XPCs which became an underground hit with many in the DYI crowd looking to build Home Theater setups or fully capable and portable LAN boxes. Shuttle hit the scenes with this system over six years ago, if you can believe that, and they’ve been growing in popularity ever since with the recent small form-factor/eco-friendly frenzy breathing even more life into the market niche’. And you know SFF (small form-factor) systems have arrived when the “big guns” like Dell set their sights on this competitive arena.

Dell’s marketing team had their collective thinking caps on for the brand naming of their new line of Studio Hybrid SFF desktops. While the machine is comprised of traditional electronics and is powered by standard AC current, the term “Hybrid” conjures up efficiencies in power consumption along with perhaps a physical profile that slices cleanly through the air.  Click the link below and check it out…

Dell Studio Hybrid Small Form Factor Desktop:

http://hothardware.com/Articles/Dell-Studio-Hybrid-Small-Form-Factor-Desktop

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The aim of PNY’s Mobility Pack is to avoid compatibility slot issues by offering the right adapters to ensure your microSD card will connect with the majority of devices. The Mobility Pack is a small, light and easy way to capture, share and transfer content from one device to another so that you can get the most from your mobile devices, but managing such small peripherals (especially inserting and removing the microSD card into the USB adapter) will probably be impossible for those with fat fingers. Claimed data write speeds of up to 7.0MB/s and read speeds up to 15MB/s are totally average too, but the Mobility Pack’s main priority is convenience. It comes with a 5-year manufacturer warranty, though we’re sure PNY doesn’t cover lost cards.”

http://www.itreviewed.co.uk/rev.php?id=830

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TweakPC has posted a new article.

Titel:
NZXT Cryo LX Laptopcooler

Teaser:
Laptop too hot? Maybe NZXT’s Cryo LX is a solution for you. We took al look
at this Laptopcooler. Is it good enough? Let’s see…

Link:
http://www.tweakpc.de/hardware/tests/kuehler/notebooks/nzxt_cryo_lx/s01.php

Please note the little flag on the site for an automatic translation.

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“These Crucial Ballistix Tracer DDR3-1333 2Gb kit are worth considering … if you really want to show off your system. Like I said before, it’s a matter of taste. Some of you might think they look cheap and ugly … while some of you would instantly fall in love with them. No matter what your decision is … one thing is for sure. Crucial Ballistix Tracer DDR3-1333 2Gb kits offer decent performance, good price and great looks (that’s if you like all that eye candy). “

Read the rest of the review … http://www.cpu3d.com/review/6361-11/crucial-ballistix-tracer-ddr3-pc3-10600-2gb-kit/verdict-and-conclusion.html

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Category: Everything and Anything, Product Reviews | No Comments »

Brother MFC-790CW Color Inkjet All-in-One Printer Reviewed @ TestFreaks.com

October 29th, 2008 by Kristofer

Title: Brother MFC-790CW Color Inkjet All-in-One Printer Reviewed @ TestFreaks.com

Review Link: http://www.testfreaks.com/blog/review/brother-mfc-790cw-color-inkjet-all-in-one-printer/

Review Snipit:
“A little while ago I took a look at an excellent all-in-one printer from Epson, the Workforce 600, today for review I’ve got another, this one is from Brother, it’s the MFC-790CW. It’s almost as feature packed as the Epson, but the Brother has a phone built in, LCD touchscreen and voice messaging center as well, something the Epson did not have. “

Category: Product Reviews | No Comments »

Super Talent Announces 18-Carat Solid Gold USB Drive

October 29th, 2008 by Kristofer

Super Talent Announces 18-Carat Solid Gold USB Drive

Limited Edition 8GB Pico-C Drive is the Ultimate Executive Gift

San Jose, California – October 28, 2008 – Super Talent Technology, a leading manufacturer of Flash storage solutions and DRAM memory modules, today announced a limited edition 18-carat solid gold USB drive that comes with a serialized Certificate of Authenticity.

The Pico-C has become the hallmark of style and quality in USB drives. Prized for its beautiful design and incredibly small size, the Pico-C is also water resistant and fast, supporting up to 200X (30MB/sec) data transfer speeds. The Pico-Cs amazing qualities account for the scores of prestigious Awards the Pico-C has amassed, including being featured on the July-08 cover of Popular Science and being named as a Top 10 Record-Breaking Consumer Gadget by Gizmodo.

Now, for a limited time only, Super Talent is offering an 8GB custom-made 18-Carat solid solid gold Pico-C drive that includes:

- Serialized Certificate of Authenticity

- 18-carat gold keychain

- FIPS certified AES-256 Encryption software

- Your text or logo laser etch onto the drive at no charge

- Black velvet jewelry box

This rare collector’s item makes an eloquent corporate gift, and is available only on a preorder basis for a limited time, with three to four weeks lead time. Part number STC8GBPCKG is offered to resellers at $599.

“We fused advanced technology with precious metals into a precision crafted device with no equal,” said Mr. Jin Kim, Super Talent design engineer.

About Super Talent Technology

Super Talent Technology Corporation based in San Jose, California, designs and manufactures a full range of DDR, DDR2, and DDR3 memory modules and Flash based storage devices for computers and consumer electronics. An ISO 9001 certified company, Super Talent utilizes its state-of-the-art factory and leading-edge components to produce award winning products with outstanding reliability. Super Talent is an active member of the JEDEC and ONFI standards bodies, and holds over 200 patents in Flash and DRAM technology.

Pricing is approximate as of announcement date and may change without notice. Usable capacity is less than specified after formatting.

Specifications Images

Category: Press Releases | No Comments »

News for October 29th 2008

October 29th, 2008 by Kristofer

Title: AMD’s X-Video Bitstream Acceleration @ Phoronix
Direct Link: http://www.phoronix.com/vr.php?view=13034
Summary: “In early September we shared that UVD2 and XvMC is coming to Linux and that two new library files had begun shipping with the ATI Catalyst driver: AMDXvBA and XvBAW. Earlier this month the Unified Video Decoding 2 (UVD2) support was then enabled by default in the Catalyst 8.10 driver. These video acceleration improvements to the ATI Linux driver aren’t exactly end-user friendly yet, but today we have information on how those interested can begin using the X-Video Motion Compensation extension with their ATI hardware along with what the XvBA extension will provide users in regards to advanced video acceleration that is very similar to Microsoft’s DirectX Video Acceleration.”

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Primarily a PC case, power supply unit and cooling solutions manufacturer, Silverstone is treading new waters with the launch of its first input device. The Silverstone Raven is a gaming oriented mouse, not to be mistaken with the upcoming Silverstone Raven case which has what some might call, “a questionable design”

Full Article:
http://www.tbreak.com/articles/5/1/Silverstone-Raven-Gaming-Mouse/Page1.html

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Far Cry 2 performance in-depth

http://www.techspot.com/review/123-farcry2-performance/

If like us you are a fan of first-person shooters, then there is a good chance you have spent the better part of this year anticipating the arrival of Far Cry 2. Last week marked the release date for this awaited sequel, and so we immediately jumped in and bought our copy. However, rather than play the single player mission from start to finish and then go into some multiplayer action, we have been hard at work for bringing you this article.

As usual our in-depth performance review takes various ATI and Nvidia graphics cards and compares them in this new first-person shooter title. Having recently completed a similar article with Crytek’s Crysis Warhead, we have been keen to see if Far Cry 2 is just as demanding.

The quality presets tested include Ultra High, Very High, and High, which will be tested at 1280×1024, 1680×1050, and 1920×1200 resolutions. The built-in Far Cry 2 benchmark tool has been used to test the various graphics cards, so you will be able to accurately compare your systems performance to ours.

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NEW CONTENT (Storage) - Patriot Warp V2 128GB 2.5” Solid State Drive

QUOTE: “Just yesterday on my monthly journey to Fry’s, I noticed several retail boxed Patriot Warp Drives in a locked cabinet. The 128 GB model like the one we are looking at today was on sale for 369.00 U.S.D., around 20 Dollars more than the Newegg price. For many the high cost will be a big turn off and the Warp will not enjoy the same commercial success that a VelociRaptor will, but a 128GB SSD just a few months back would have set you back 1100 Dollars or more.

The Patriot Warp that we are looking at today is actually the second revision to the Warp Series. Very few of the first versions were released and unfortunately I didn’t have a Rev 1 sample on hand to test against the Rev 2. It should be noted that the packaging we received our Warp in did not specify if it was a V1 or V2, but we were assured it was the new V2. We will of course compare the drive to the other 2.5-inch drives we have tested since moving over to the new hard disk workstation.”

For more information, please visit - http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/1639/patriot_warp_v2_128gb_2_5_solid_state_drive/index.html

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Improved Rock Band instruments is great, but they don’t really seem to hold a candle to the new Guitar Hero gear. For one, not only is the new Guitar Hero controller better made, but it is now “full sized”. It is much bigger than the toy-like wireless Gibson, which looks like a ukelele when slapped against my immense torso. The new GH guitar also has innovative solo buttons, but unlike the Rock Band buttons, these are touch sensitive and have a much different feel. It almost feels like you’re finger-tapping a real guitar (without all the pain), but it is very easy to lose your finger placement (and your fingers need to be spread out slightly farther than when holding the fret buttons). Switching back and forth between the touch slider and the fret buttons will undoubtedly make you miss a few notes while getting your bearings.

The GH Drums are also improved over Rock Band. Instead of four Toms and a foot pedal, these drums have three toms, two cymbals and a foot pedal (that’s SIX controls!). Playing drums feels a lot more like the real thing than playing guitar or bass, but these new drums somehow feel more authentic. The cymbals spring back a little better, and all of the pads are touch sensitive.

Review URL ::
http://www.ocmodshop.com/ocmodshop.aspx?a=1393

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Article Name: Aerocool Aeroracer Pro Mid-Tower ATX Case Review @ Tweaknews.net Article Url: http://www.tweaknews.net/reviews/aerocool_aeroracer_pro/

Article Snippet: “AeroCool’s AeroRacer Pro turned out to be a mixed bag. I like the exterior finish treatment and the overall look of the case. The cooling performance was very good although I think a few minor tweaks could enhance the airflow while reducing audible noise. I even like the large power button with its chrome bezel and blue backlighting, but the “ENGINE START” business seems a bit gratuitous to me.”

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TechwareLabs has published a review of the Thermaltake Vi-On HDD Enclosure. Here’s a clip from the review:

Quote: Join Nitro as we look at the one of a kind, Thermaltake Vi-On HDD Enclosure. Able to hold one 3.5″ HDD, this enclosure is silent, sleek, stylish, and wont mess up the all black theme of your desktop. As we all know, performance is key. How well will the Vi-On do when we put it to the test?

LINK: http://www.techwarelabs.com/reviews/storage/thermaltake_vion_hdd_enclosure/index.shtml

Title: Thermaltake Vi-On HDD Enclosure @ TechwareLabs

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NEW CONTENT (Visual) - BFG Tech GeForce GTX 260 OCX Graphics Card

QUOTE: “Not too long ago BFG Tech thought that it was time to kick it up a notch and expand upon the popular OC line it already had. Expanding that line, two new OC variants were created; the OC2 which helped knock up clock speeds a bit more than the standard OC models and the OCX which was designed to offer a significant boost over stock clocks.

We didn’t want to look at the card that was just a bit overclocked, nor the card that was overclocked a little bit more. We wanted to look at the big daddy of the GTX 260 line from BFG, the OCX variant. So with that said, let’s check out the package then from there we will have a look at the card itself and a closer look at the clockspeeds on tap before we get stuck into the benchmarking side of things.”

For more information, please visit - http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/1638/bfg_tech_geforce_gtx_260_ocx_graphics_card/index.html

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Title: Razer Lachesis Gaming Mouse Review
Link: http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/639
Category: Reviews

Summary:
The Razer Lachesis gaming-grade mouse reaches an astonishing resolution of 4,000 dpi. See how it fared in our test.

Here is a snippet:
“Razer has just reached a new height in terms of tracking resolution for gaming mice: its new model, the Lachesis, features a jaw-dropping 4,000 dpi of resolution. It also has an ambidextrous design, a rubber-coated large body and a pulsing blue light Razer logo. As with all the products from the company, the impeccable presentation goes along with the desire of making the best weapon of the virtual warrior. Let’s take a detailed look about the mouse and then proceed to see how the Lachesis fared in the field test.”

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Title: SilverStone FT01 Mid-Tower @ Techgage

Link: http://techgage.com/article/silverstone_ft01_mid-tower/

Quote: SilverStone has become well-known over the years for producing top-quality products, and the FT01 further reinstates that fact. Although the chassis is a bit pricier than others, it’s well-deserved. Obvious R&D went into this one, and not only does it offer superb airflow and the lack of a single sharp edge, it’s also one of the quietest chassis’ we’ve used in a while.

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Ninjalane has just posted a new review of the Sunbeamtech Core-Contact Freeze Heatsink. This is a very value packed heatsink, but not for the extreme overclocker.

Subject: Sunbeamtech Core-Contact Freezer @ Ninjalane
URL: http://www.ninjalane.com/display.aspx?docname=sbcorefreeze

Quote: “Sunbeamtech has given us an opportunity to see the evolution in action with the Core-Contact Freezer heatsink. This new design removes the plate that separates the heat pipes from the processor so now the heat pipes have direct contact with the processor. Is this a more effective way to cool these new multi-core processors? We will be testing this to find out.”

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InsideHW.com has posted article about Dell Studio 1735 notebook. You can read a clip from review:

“Last month we tested model 1535 from new Studio series of notebooks from Dell and this time we got another model from same series but with slightly bigger dimensions. For all of you that missed that review we will say that Studio series is intended for home users. Dell Studio 1735 belongs to DTR category (DeskTop Replacement) of notebooks and because of that, most of its characteristics are predetermined. When we took Dell Studio 1735 out of the box we experienced a déjà vu which was expected because the only differences in design from 1535 model are bigger dimensions and presence of numerical keypad…”

If you are interested to read some more, we present you link:

http://www.insidehw.com/Reviews/Notebooks/Dell-Studio-1735.html

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Lancool’s (a brand owned by well respected manufacturer Lian-Li) latest offering is aimed at the mainstream gamer and enthusiast in the mid- to high-end market segment. The PC-K1 (around £85) is a relatively subdues midi-tower chassis that cuts straight to the chase. Exquisitely cut from aluminum and steel, the chassis is a good choice for the discerning needs of enthusiast level gamers not interested in garish accessories. A really neat feature is a little flip-open dust-free lid on the top cover which reveals multimedia I/O ports for easy access. Under the lid is an I/O bracket which accommodates two USB 2.0 ports, a single IEEE1394 port, and HD+AC97 Audio in/out capabilities. The chassis supports full ATX and micro-ATX form factor motherboards and has a secure power supply bay designed to keep it rigid during transportation. When it actually comes to building your machine it couldn’t be easier. Thumbscrews remove the need for any tools, the top panel can be removed or replaced, and cable management is a synch - special cable clips on the back of the motherboard tray secure in-the-way cables. Heck, there’s even a removable motherboard tray, letting you install the motherboard on the tray outside the case - goodbye working in small space! To not underestimate the PC-K1’s unassuming looks - it’s one heck of a good chassis.!

http://www.itreviewed.co.uk/rev.php?id=829

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Title: Antec Fusion HTPC Case Review on Technic3D

Link: http://www.technic3d.com/article-670,1-antec-fusion-htpc-gehaeuse.htm

Quote: “The Antec Fusion HTPC is the next PC Case in the Technic3D Editorship. See you in the following Review which qualities the HTPC Case with Display and many Features presents.”

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Title:
Scythe Kama Bay Amplifier

Link:
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Scythe/Kamabayamp

Brief:
The Scythe Kama Bay Amplifier is made for all of you who want to use a pair of efficient passive speakers along with your PC without having to shell out the big bucks. Priced at only € 50 this amp could easily become an integrated part of your rig offering very solid performance for its price.

Category: Everything and Anything, Product Reviews | No Comments »

Press-Info: Noctua offers free mounting kit for Intel Core i7

October 28th, 2008 by Kristofer

Vienna, October 27th 2008 - Noctua today announced the impending availability of a new mounting kit which makes it possible to install Noctua CPU coolers on Intel’s upcoming Core i7 processors for socket LGA1366. The new SecuFirm2™ mounting kit is compatible with all Noctua CPU coolers since 2005 and will be supplied to Noctua users free of charge after uploading a proof of purchase on Noctua’s website.

“We always strive to provide premium quality service for premium quality products and we like to think of our coolers as safe long-term investments”, explains Mag. Roland Mossig, Noctua CEO. “That’s why we’ve decided to stick to our policy of providing mounting kits free of charge with the new LGA1366 socket so that our customers can continue to use their coolers on the new Core i7 CPUs.”

SecuFirm2™ doesn’t only ensure the same degree of security Noctua’s SecuFirm™ mounting systems have become renowned for, but also makes it easier than ever before to install a Noctua cooler. Designed to combine outstanding reliability, optimal contact pressure and easy, straightforward installation, SecuFirm2™ is an enthusiast-grade mounting system that meets the highest demands in safety, performance and ease-of-use.

The new SecuFirm2™ mounting kit is backwards compatible with all Noctua CPU coolers since 2005 and will be available free of charge via Noctua’s website as soon as Core i7 mainboards and CPUs are in store. A proof of purchase (photo, scan or screenshot of the invoice) of both a Noctua CPU cooler and either a socket 1366 mainboard or socket 1366 CPU will be required. In addition, the new mounting kit will be available for purchase at a low service charge via selected resellers.

About Noctua
Noctua comes from a cooperation between the Austrian Rascom Computerdistribution Ges.m.b.H and the Taiwanese Kolink International Corporation and has a development partnership with the Austrian Institute of Heat Transmission and Fan Technology (Österreichisches Institut für Wärmeübertragung und Ventilatorentechnik, ÖIWV). These connections form the key to the development of sound-optimised premium components “Designed in Austria”: The partnership with the ÖIWV permits the application of latest technology in methods of scientific measurement instrumentation, calculation and simulation in the R&D process. Rascom’s long, customer-orientated experience in developing and distributing sound-optimised high-end components ensures a clear focus on the users’ needs. The use of Kolink’s advanced manufacturing technology and ultra-modern production plants allows Noctua to efficiently implement its technical edge and provide solutions of the highest standard in quality and performance to the customer.

Links
Details: http://www.noctua.at/main.php?show=productview&products_id=23&lng=en

Category: Press Releases | No Comments »

Silverstone Raven Gaming Mouse @ TestFreaks.com

October 28th, 2008 by Kristofer

Title: Silverstone Raven Gaming Mouse @ TestFreaks.com

Review Link: http://www.testfreaks.com/blog/review/silverstone-rvm01b-raven-gaming-mouse-sst-rvm01b/

Review Snipit:
” Silverstone is known for excellent quality products, especially their PC cases, but they’ve decided to venture into the gaming mouse market. Their first entry is the Raven Gaming Mouse, it features an OLED display to let you know the DPI settings of your mouse, a laser sensor up to 3200DPI, Macros and a very unique feature called a Flip 3D Thumb Scroll. “

Category: Product Reviews | No Comments »

Playmate Rocks Peak

October 28th, 2008 by Kristofer

Thought your readers might be interested in checking out this “School of Rock” video from Playboy.com, where the November Playmate, Grace Kim, does a little instructional video on classic guitar moves with the Peak Products Starpex guitar controller.  She also posted a full review of the popular Guitar Hero/Rockband axe here.

Category: Everything and Anything | No Comments »

News for October 28th 2008

October 28th, 2008 by Kristofer

Title: A Closer Look At Red Hat’s Plymouth @ Phoronix
Direct Link: http://www.phoronix.com/vr.php?view=13029
Summary: “Back in July we shared Red Hat’s intentions to replace RHGB with Plymouth, a new graphical boot process that is able to benefit from the latest Linux graphics capabilities. Red Hat engineers had primarily designed Plymouth around a forthcoming feature we’ve talked about quite a bit known as kernel mode-setting, which provides end-users with a cleaner and flicker-free boot experience. In September in The State of Kernel Mode-Setting we then shared more information on Plymouth along with a brief video. Most recently we published another video of Plymouth that shows the tighter integration between the boot process and starting the GNOME Display Manager. Today though we are looking at Plymouth and its different plug-ins along with providing a few more videos.”

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NEW CONTENT (Casing & Cooling) - Cooler Master Hyper Z600R CPU Cooler

QUOTE: “Today we are looking at the Cooler Master Hyper Z600R, the first product in Cooler Masters revised arsenal that is ready to battle flagship processors from Intel and AMD. The Hyper Z600R is a large cooler with premium packaging and the ability to add a second 120mm fan. From the looks of the design the cooler screams high efficiency with low acoustic interference. Overclockers will like the coolers ability to add a second fan and average users will like the quiet nature of this beast.

Next in our list of cooler reviews will be the long awaited article for Cooler Masters flagship V8 air cooler. Be sure to check back in to see the results when both coolers go head to head, but for now enjoy the Hyper Z600R. Let’s have a detailed look.”

For more information, please visit - http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/1637/cooler_master_hyper_z600r_cpu_cooler/index.html

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Article Name: WolfKing Trooper MVP Gaming Mouse Review @ Tweaknews.net
Article Url: http://www.tweaknews.net/reviews/wolfking_trooper_mvp_gaming_mouse/

Article Snippet:

“Next time you’re out shopping for a gaming mouse, definitely take the Trooper MVP into consideration. It has enough buttons and DPI levels to keep many different types of gamers satisfied, but the main advantage I found over comparable mice was comfort. The ergonomics of the mouse are exceptional which prevents cramping and other issues over long periods of use.”

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It’s always very difficult to review a package like Corel’s VideoStudio Pro X2 Ultimate in a succinct way because there’s just so much too it. Not only could you write pages about the main video editing/authoring application, but you could write just as much about the four bonus applications. It isn’t a massive upgrade from the previous version, but Corel has tweaked enough features to make it a more impressive overall package. VideoStudio Pro X2 Ultimate is still a mid-level video editing application, but compared to the likes of Pinnacle Studio and Adobe Premiere Elements, it holds its own very well. When it comes to the crunch these two competing titles have more raw editing power for around the same price, but neither comes with as many features or is as easy to use. Corel really knows how to put the value back into software.”

http://www.itreviewed.co.uk/rev.php?id=827

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Das Keyboard Professional and Ultimate review

http://www.techspot.com/review/122-das-keyboard/

Depending for how long you’ve been using computers or how much of a geek you are, you may have heard about how old fashioned keyboards that used mechanical key switches were immensely better and built to last. We are talking about the really old keyboards here, like the ones that shipped with the original IBM PC in the early 80s.

Fast forward to the present day and you can easily tell priorities have changed considerably. Internal components are usually the ones driving sales, and the mouse is often considered the more important input device. Now, enter the Das Keyboard: the original Das Keyboard (Ultimate) that uses totally blank keys and the Das Keyboard Professional, which adds inscriptions on the keys. We tested both versions of the product which are essentially the same except the above, but we did this with the purpose of experiencing how the blank board could aid you becoming a touch typist per the maker’s claims.

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TechwareLabs has published a review of the Lian Li PC - A77 Aluminum Computer Case. Here’s a clip from the review:

Quote: Have you managed to cram as much hardware as possible into your rig? Need a crane to lift your case? Why not shed a few unwanted pounds from your machine by transferring it into a new aluminum home? Join RTM as he looks at the Lian Li A77 Aluminum Case.

LINK: http://www.techwarelabs.com/reviews/cases/lian_li_a77_aluminum_computer_case/index.shtml

Title: Lian Li PC - A77 Aluminum Computer Case @ TechwareLabs

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I4U NEWS published a review of the Nextar M3-MX GPS Device.

Quote from the review:
“Today we are looking at the Nextar M3-MX GPS unit that features maps of the US and Mexico. The device is accurate and has great maps.
Even rural dirt roads and new neighborhoods were listed in the map database. GPS fixes were fast and overall accuracy is very good.”

Full Review:
http://www.i4u.com/full-review-495.html

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NEW CONTENT (Casing & Cooling) - Xigmatek NRP-MC651 650 watt Power Supply

QUOTE: “Xigmatek is a relatively new company that has only been around since 2005. They made a splash in the enthusiast market with their vaunted HDT heatsink, but few knew they had plans of expanding their product line to include both air and water cooling components as well as thermal compounds and power supplies. Today we will dig into one of their more modest power offerings, the NRP-MC651.

Since model designators often have a meaning, it was interesting to note that the “NRP” prefix does have a meaning; No Rules Power. This falls into the concept of enthusiast based products and we will stress it out in a bit to see if it can show itself to be a worthy contender in a modern system.”

For more information, please visit - http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/1636/xigmatek_nrp_mc651_650_watt_power_supply/index.html

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TITLE: Microsoft Sidewinder X6 Gaming Keyboard @ Benchmark Reviews

DESCRIPTION: Over the past few years, gaming on the PC has transformed from a niche hobby to a market in and of itself. More and more gaming-grade devices come out each year. Some accessories are just hype or a means to squeeze a few extra dollars out of unsuspecting customers whereas others genuinely make the gaming experience that much better. At the same time gaming hardware has also come to be synonymous with expensive hardware as gaming hardware frequently pushes the current norms and standards to their limits of usability, functionality and style (or taste in the worst case scenario). The Microsoft Sidewinder X6 tries to be the keyboard for the gamer’s gamer. It features the ability to program 90 macros using 6 proprietary buttons, the number pad, and 3 banks. It has backlighting for playing the dark, cruise control, on the fly macro programming, large knobs for volume and backlight control and audio shortcut buttons. It features keys designed for quic! k presses and fast action. Does it deliver? Read on and Benchmark Reviews will deliver the scoop.

ARTICLE URL: http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=237&Itemid=1

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Title: SilverStone Raven Mouse at Modders-Inc

Summary: The look, balanced feel and cutting edge ideas shows me that SilverStone is truly serious about the mouse market. If they take some of the feed back that has been put out on the web about the Raven, which has been favorable, and tweak it I think that they will have one heck of mouse and most definitely be a serious contender in this market. A job well done by SilverStone and thank you for pushing the limits on a mouse.

Articles URL: http://www.modders-inc.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=236

Site URL:  http://www.modders-inc.com

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Hardware Bistro has just posted latest review; Corsair Voyager 64GB Flash Drive Review. Thanks

Quote: “Corsair Voyager is one of the most advanced and famous flash drives in market quite number of years with its durable, water resistance and drop tested design. Recently Corsair just announced their latest Voyager flash drive with 64GB size. This huge amount of storage size is really amazing for a flash drive as it is almost equal to a HDD. Let us go through further detail on this monster. ”


Read More:
hardwarebistro.com/index.php?option=com_simple_review&Itemid=84&review=15-Corsair-Voyager-64GB-Flash-Drive-Review

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Very shortly into the game, Clarke becomes separated from his team, and under siege from a series of bizarre and deadly creatures that infest the station. Armed with a simple plasma cutter weapon, Clarke must not only survive the aliens that roam the station but he must complete several tasks such as restoring the ships tram service and unblocking vital areas of the ship.

As the story unfolds, Clarke is able to upgrade his arsenal through the collection and use of power nodes, and through collecting credits, is able to purchase new weapons such as military grade rifles and flamethrowers to fight off the Necromorphs.

Review URL ::
http://www.ocmodshop.com/ocmodshop.aspx?a=1392

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Title: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX500 Digital Camera Review
Link: http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/638
Category: Reviews

Summary:
Review of Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX500, a 10 megapixel point-and-shoot digital camera.

Here is a snippet:
“The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX500  is a 10.1-megapixel point-and-shoot camera that has plenty of features in its arsenal.  When we saw the Leica 5x zoom lens with a 25mm wide angle focal length and the large  3″ touch sensitive screen, we were happy to investigate further.”

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Lian Li PC-V600 Mid-Tower Case @ TheTechLounge

“This is not really an exotic case.  It’s reverse-ATX, with the expansion slots above the processor and the door on the wrong side.  It just doesn’t have a lot of free space–an elegant proposition, if done correctly–something that can sometimes end disastrously. This case is about precise design, and having a computer that you can stick on of the desk.  Ah, yesteryear.”

Article Link:
http://www.thetechlounge.com/article/586/Lian-Li-PCV600/

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Asus 9800GT Matrix Videocard Review:

Link: http://www.rbmods.com/Articles/Asus/9800gt_matrix/1.php

Quote: Another day another review and today we got Asus latest 9800GT Matrix card on the bench with DirectX 10 support and 512 mb DDR3 video memory so this should be a interesting review as we are going to compare it vs some other high performing cards on the market right now.

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Quote: MSI and Overclock3D have teamed up to offer all of our members and readers the chance to win a high-end P45 Platinum Motherboard.

Link: http://www.overclock3d.net/articles.php?/misc_content/win_an_msi_p45_platinum_motherboard_with_overclock3d/1

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TechwareLabs has published a review of the Sapphire 4870 Toxic Edition. Here’s a clip from the review:

Quote: Today, we bring to you the newest version of Sapphires HD4870, the Toxic Edition. This card should be the best single 4870 on the market, but can it compete on the same level as nVidias GTX280 and for half the price? Join Jack as we test to see how Toxic this card really is.

LINK: http://www.techwarelabs.com/reviews/video/sapphire_hd4870_toxic_edition

Title: Sapphire 4870 Toxic Edition @ TechwareLabs

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PlanOn’s Printstik PS910 is a well built printer that does what it says on the tin. It’s not colour, so won’t appeal to photo junkies, but business people needing to print spreadsheets, receipts or other such materials could find it a lifesaver. Print quality and print speed aren’t great, but if you’re not in a hurry you shouldn’t even notice. Text is a bit fuzzy and even at the highest quality setting images are very pixelated. Moreover, the pages curl up the way thermal-printed credit-card receipts do. Finally, running costs are considerably more expensive than most laser printers and inkjets, and you can’t use whatever paper you want (say goodbye to company letterheads, etc). Currently, the PrintStik works only with Windows computers and BlackBerry phones, further limiting the use of this relatively expensive peripheral.”

http://www.itreviewed.co.uk/rev.php?id=826

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Digit-Life Review: ECS A780VM-M2 Motherboard

Excerpt:
“This motherboard meets all office requirements. Along with its good integrated graphics core, it has two video outputs, VGA and DVI. In our opinion, it must become the standard these days or, to be more exact, the minimal requirement for any motherboard with integrated graphics.”

Article: http://www.digit-life.com/articles3/mainboard/ecs-a780vm-m2-780v-p1.html

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Title: FSP Group Everest 900w PSU Review @ High Tech Reviews

Snip: Today we have the oppurtunity to review a nice 900 watt power
supply from the Everest Group at FSP Group. The Fortran Group not
only makes some great power supplies that bears their name, but they
also make some re-branded power supply that excellent results as
well. Give us a minute and check out our review we think you might
find it interesting.

Link:
http://hi-techreviews.com/reviews/current-reviews/fsp-group-everest-900w-psu-review.html

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A few months back, Intel released the P45 Chipset, which at the time was considered to be their mainstream offering, playing second fiddle to the X48 Express.  With official support of a 1333MHz FSB, PCI-E 2.0, ATI CrossFire, and support for both DDR2 and DDR3 memory, there’s a lot of roads to go down with the construction of one of these motherboards, and MSI went down all of them.  MSI fleshed out a complete top-to-bottom assortment of  boards, which means that they have a P45 motherboard that suits just about every potential buyer’s needs.  Two of these, the P45 Diamond and P45 Platinum are found towards the top end of their food chain, and we’ll be taking a look at them today…

Direct Link:

http://hothardware.com/Articles/MSI-P45-Platinum-and-Diamond-Motherboards/

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Title: Ubuntu 7.04 to 8.10 Benchmarks: Is Ubuntu Getting Slower? @ Phoronix
Direct Link: http://www.phoronix.com/vr.php?view=13022
Summary: “With the release of Ubuntu 8.10 coming out later this week we decided to use this opportunity to explore how the performance of this desktop Linux operating system has evolved over the past few releases. We performed clean installations of Ubuntu 7.04, Ubuntu 7.10, Ubuntu 8.04, and Ubuntu 8.10 on a Lenovo ThinkPad T60 notebook and used the Phoronix Test Suite to run 35 tests on each release that covered nine different areas of the system. After spending well more than 100 hours running these tests, the results are now available and our findings may very well surprise you.”

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Terratec’s DMX 6Fire USB looks and sounds great (bright, punchy and has a wide dynamic range), and would make a great upgrade for those looking to start producing their own voice and music recordings. It’s even good for gamers and those running a media centre, but it’s ideally suited to DJs and budding musicians. With its array of features and ports, with the right equipment connected it would make an outstanding addition which would certainly enhance your current setup. It’s not a professional-level product, but it’s more than good enough for most of us.”

http://www.itreviewed.co.uk/rev.php?id=825

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CPU3D Interviews OCZ Technology

Once again, we were London … but this time we met up with OCZ’s Tobias Brinkmann, Director of Marketing for Europe. We asked about what future plans does OCZ have, and what they’ve got in store for us in 2009.

Check out the full interview … HERE.

http://www.cpu3d.com/article/6385-1/exclusive-cpu3d-interviews-ocz-technology/introduction.html

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NEW CONTENT (CPU & Chipset) - NVIDIA nForce 730i / GeForce 9300 Chipset Review

QUOTE: “Now Intel has the CPU of choice and with that comes support left, right and centre. While Intel has a huge array of chipsets for its own processor, support also comes from another source, that being from the biggest 3D chipset maker, NVIDIA.

While Intel has the best enthusiast chipsets out for the platform, Intel’s integrated graphics platforms simply can’t compete with the likes of NVIDIA’s IGP based setups. This is simply because NVIDIA has all of its 3D chip technology to call on for integration into its chipsets, keeping it ahead of chipzilla.”

For more information, please visit - http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/1635/nvidia_nforce_730i_geforce_9300_chipset_review/index.html

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Category: Everything and Anything, Product Reviews | No Comments »

Thecus PR: Thecus Technology Announces the N3200PRO

October 28th, 2008 by Kristofer

10/28/2008 The N3200 from Thecus has been finding its way into living rooms and home offices around the world thanks to a ton of friendly features, large capacity, and RAID 5 security. Today, Thecus is pleased to announce a successor to this groundbreaking product: the N3200PRO. Featuring the power of an AMD Geode™ CPU, the N3200PRO takes everything you love about the N3200 and improves its performance even further.

Under its svelte 160 x 170 x 215 mm exterior, the N3200PRO is powered by an AMD Geode™ CPU for superb performance while maintaining low power usage. With its three SATA drive bays, the N3200PRO accommodates up to 3TB of storage, and gives users the option of RAID 5. With RAID 5, home users can enjoy the speed of a striped array with the security of complete data redundancy. The N3200PRO retains its completely tool-less design, which makes installing and removing disks is a snap and a handy LCD display informs users of system status, and enables easy system management in dimly-lit environments. Thecus’ web-based management system makes a return to the N3200PRO, allowing users to configure and manage the unit through any browser connected to the network, and with USB wireless dongle compatibility, users can even connect to the N3200PRO without being tangled up with wires.

As a NAS for the home, the N3200PRO also comes with a selection of friendly features that enable the digital lifestyle. A built-in iTunes® Server makes it easy to stream an entire music library over the network, while a Photo Web Server enables users to share and enjoy photos with friends and relatives. A DLNA-compatible Media Server is also included, making the N3200PRO an ideal device to stream digital content to DLNA-compatible devices. The N3200PRO can also keep an eye on things at home with its Web Surveillance Server. Just plug in a compatible USB webcam and the N3200PRO can take scheduled snapshots – all without having a PC turned on! Powerful features and performance makes the N3200PRO the ideal NAS server for the home.

“The N3200 brought RAID 5 to the realm of home NAS units, and the N3200PRO is our follow up to this groundbreaking device,” says Thecus General Manager Florence Shih. “With an AMD Geode™ processor at its core, users are really going to love the improved performance and system response of the N3200PRO.”

For more information on Thecus, go to: http://www.thecus.com

Category: Press Releases | No Comments »

V-MODA Vibe Duo Reviewed

October 27th, 2008 by Kristofer

Today we will look at the latest release from a fairly new entrant in the headphone market – V-MODA. This company focuses on the styling of the headphone, while retaining a high quality acoustic experience. The V-MODA Vibe Duo is the latest in the ear model from V-MODA and is designed to work with the iPhone.

Link:

http://www.dragonsteelmods.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=9957&Itemid=1

Category: Product Reviews | No Comments »

usbfever.com’s weekly new launches

October 27th, 2008 by Kristofer

Armband & Sport Case for iPod Nano 4th
http://www.usbfever.com/index_eproduct_view.php?products_id=868

Leather Case for iPod Nano 4th (Flp Type)
http://www.usbfever.com/index_eproduct_view.php?products_id=869

Flodable Multi Notebook Stand (Black)
http://www.usbfever.com/index_eproduct_view.php?products_id=857

Tyre-look 4 Port USB Hub
http://www.usbfever.com/index_eproduct_view.php?products_id=872

USB 2.1 Channel Sound with Dual Output
http://www.usbfever.com/index_eproduct_view.php?products_id=870

Aluminium Case for iPod Nano 4th
http://www.usbfever.com/index_eproduct_view.php?products_id=873

USB A Female - USA Mini 5 pin Male Adpater
http://www.usbfever.com/index_eproduct_view.php?products_id=823

Silicone Shine Case for iPhone 3G
http://www.usbfever.com/index_eproduct_view.php?products_id=874

Bluetooth Rearview Mirror with headset and handsfree
http://www.usbfever.com/index_eproduct_view.php?products_id=32

USB Flash Drive (Round Shape) (2GB)
http://www.usbfever.com/index_eproduct_view.php?products_id=907

USB Flash Drive (Rectangular Shape) (2 GB)
http://www.usbfever.com/index_eproduct_view.php?products_id=908

Desktop USB Fan with LED Light
http://www.usbfever.com/index_eproduct_view.php?products_id=909

Category: Everything and Anything, Shopping | No Comments »

Review: Samsung T220HD Monitor/TV

October 27th, 2008 by Kristofer

Title: Samsung T220HD Monitor/TV

Hi guys, here’s our review of this 22in widescreen HDTV monitor/TV from Samsung.

http://accelenation.com/?ac.id.278.1

And here’s a quote:


With the advent of HD, the markets for TVs and monitors have merged. Plasma and LCD displays that are sold as TVs can often be used as PC monitors because many come with D-Sub and DVI inputs. The two markets have meshed in such a way that even modern computer video cards will output an HDMI signal that is compatible with HDTVs. The T220HD is simply approaching the market from the other direction, i.e. primarily as a computer monitor, but with the added capability of being a television.

Category: Product Reviews | No Comments »

AXP Thermal Control LCD Display Review on Technic3D

October 27th, 2008 by Kristofer

Title: AXP Thermal Control LCD Display Review on Technic3D

Link: http://www.technic3d.com/article-719,1-axp-thermal-control-steuerzentrale-fuer-luefter-und-temperaturen.htm

Quote: “The AXP Thermal Control LCD Display for 1x 5 1/4″ bay arrived Technic3D. The AXP Four Colors monitor display for Temperature and Fan state for CPU, Harddrive and Video Card can you see you in the following Review.”

Category: Product Reviews | No Comments »

AeroCool AeroRacer Pro PC Case Reviewed @ TestFreaks.com

October 2