Yeah, missed a day of news… was running around all day, and had to get work done as well, so here’s the news for yesterday and today…
=======================================================
As you add more experiment with more hardware on your computer, you no doubt upgrade your components, or just lose interest in some. Windows adds drivers to items you didn’t even think had drivers, like monitors and USB flash drives. It retains these records just in case you attach the device again. Even if you think you’ve successfully uninstalled the device, it can exist in your Windows configuration, which could cause conflicts, or just take up space.
Keeping your system as clean as possible is always a good idea, and completely removing unused drivers is a way to help your system’s arteries from getting clogged with digital plaque.
Review URL ::
http://www.ocmodshop.com/ocmodshop.aspx?a=1474
=========================================================
Titel: Lian Li PC-8
Text:
Der Taiwanesische Gehäuse-Hersteller Lian Li hat sich unter Hardware-Enthusiasten und Modding-Freunden einen sehr guten Ruf erworben.  Für den heutigen Artikel stellt Lian Li uns ein PC-8 getauftes Mid-Tower-Gehäuse zur Verfügung, welches wie alle Gehäuse von Lian Li komplett aus Aluminium gefertigt ist.
Ob das Gehäuse unsere hohen Erwartungen erfüllen kann, wie der innere Aufbau davon aussieht und vieles mehr erfahrt ihr in diesem Test.
URL: http://www.dexgo.com/index.php?site=Videos/view.php&id=6
English translated by Babel Fish: http://babelfish.altavista.com/babelfish/trurl_pagecontent?lp=de_en&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dexgo.com%2Findex.php%3Fsite%3Dartikel%2Fview.php%26rubrik%3DHardware%26id%3D349
English translated by Google: http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dexgo.com%2Findex.php%3Fsite%3Dartikel%2Fview.php%26rubrik%3DHardware%26id%3D349&sl=de&tl=en&hl=de&ie=UTF-8
====================================================
Hardware Bistro has just posted latest review on Proporta Alu-Leather Case & Magnetic Car Kit. Thanks
Quote: “Mobile phone has become part of our life and today we are going to introduce Proporta to you; a company that has been designing and manufacturing cases for mobile phone and other gadget devices. We will test out their Alu-Leather case (a real screen saver) and Magnetic Vehicle Docking system which is ideal for GPS. Let us find out more about these two products.”
======================================================
Pride & Glory DVD Review @ Ascully.com

Quote
“The movie focuses on an Irish-American family of policeman. Jon Voight plays Francis Tierney, Sr., a Chief Detective on the New York Police Department. Senior is an old-school cop who is proud of his family, and protective of his profession, He has a bit of a drinking problem, which is overlooked by his loving family….”
Article Link – http://www.ascully.com/dvd-reviews/pride-and-glory-special-edition/
================================================
Title: nVidia Chips Comparison Table
Link: http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/132
Category: Tutorials
Summary:
A table comparing the basic technical specs from all nVidia graphics chips available on the market, from GeForce 4 MX 440 AGP 8x to GeForce GTX 295. Updated to include GeForce GTX 285 and GTX 295.
Here is a snippet:
“If you don’t follow almost daily the video card market it is really complicated to understand the differences between the several different nVidia graphics chips available on the market today. To facilitate knowing and understanding the difference among these chips, we have compiled the following table:”
================================================
Newstitle;
Akasa Élite 2.5 inch drive enclosure
Newstext;
“SweMOD has posted a review on the stylish drive enclosure Élite from Akasa.
It can hold a 2.5 inch disk drive or even an SSD drive. With stylish looks and good
features this product will probably be the best looking enclosure of the year.
To find out more head over to SweMOD and read their article.”
Newslink;
http://www.swemod.com/swemod/index.php?do=review&id=39&in=197
================================================
Title: EZ Commander by EZ@Home Review @ FusionMods.Net
Link: http://www.fusionmods.net/index.php?theCase=viewThread&threadID=1866
Quote: “Everyone is looking for a great multitasking remote for their HTPC machine. Â EZ@Home has come up with a great remote that does just that. Â The EZ Commander if a full featured Media remote with a trackball mouse and a full numberpad that also functions as a text input device.”
==============================================
Title: Laptops: Can you think of an accessory that’s unpractical but that you’d love to see?
Link: http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/blog/124
Category: Blog
Here is a snippet:
“Yes, I can! A laptop with three or four LCD screens! It would work like this. When closed, the laptop would be just like a regular laptop. When opened you could “open” the left and right displays. And eventually a fourth display above the traditional center display. These displays could be hidden behind the original center display. This way we could have a carry-on multi-display system. It would require adding a counter-weight so the system would stay with all its displays opened without falling back.”
=================================================
“Maxtor’s BlackArmor is an elegantly designed product that delivers on the promise of providing a level of security that is both reliable and robust. It also offers one of the best cost-per-gigabyte rates we’ve seen, so you’re not paying a premium for the built-in security. If you are serious about data protection and don’t might taking a hit on performance compared to some other USB 2.0 drives, the Maxtor BlackArmor is a really good choice. This box takes the prize as the Fort Knox of the storage world.â€
http://www.itreviewed.co.uk/rev.php?id=911
==============================================
“The number of 802.11n draft 2.0 routers with ADSL modems are few and far between, so it’s great to test a really good product. Belkin’s N+ is a very good performer, managing an excellent average throughput of just over 70Mbps in our tests, making it suitable for both novices and seasoned networkers. At distance it was slightly less impressive (as are all wireless routers), but all-round it’s still a very performer and a match for any 802.11n draft-2.0 router. It’s also a snap to set up and works well for media sharing. For the money, it’s excellent value. There’s no OLED display or gigabit Ethernet, but corners had to be cut to keep the price so competitive.â€
http://www.itreviewed.co.uk/rev.php?id=910
================================================
Quote – If a case costs $150.00 can it still be classified as an
entry level case? That is what we wondered we reviewed the Lian Li
PC-7F-W Mid-tower Case. This 100% aluminum case has all the features
one would want in small desktop case. The case is designed to be
tool-free and nearly silent thanks to the dampened hard drives.
=======================================================
As Gaming Notebooks go, there are always going to be trade-offs to make and a balance to strike between performance, weight, and cost. The Asus G50Vt strikes a happy medium, weighing in at 7.5lbs and around $949 at retail outlets like Best Buy with higher-end SKUs online. Our system, powered by a Core 2 Duo P8400 at 2.26GHz and an NVIDIA GeForce 9800M GS, offered top-end multimedia performance and lots of gaming horsepower for all the latest titles. We’d gladly recommend this machine to anyone looking for a power desktop replacement or semi-portable notebook. Come on by the site and check it out…
Asus G50vt Gaming Notebook Video Spotlight:
http://hothardware.com/articles/Asus-G50vt-Gaming-Notebook-Video-Spotlight/
======================================================
TechwareLabs has published a review of the NZXT Whisper – Silent Computer Case . Here’s a clip from the review:
Quote: Shhh… Do you hear that? It’s the Whisper by NZXT. Join Chris today as TechwareLabs takes a look at what is perhaps the quietest case on the market. Can the Whisper quietly live up to its name or will it run screaming on to the list of hypocrisy.
LINK: http://www.techwarelabs.com/reviews/PowerSupply/nzxt_whisper_chassis
Title: NZXT Whisper – Silent Computer Case Review @ TechwareLabs
====================================================
AMD Phenom II X4 940 Subzero Overclocking Test: 6Ghz Obtainable?
There is no denying that the AMD Phenom II’s overclocking capabilities were hyped before launch, at CES AMD showcased the CPU
running at 6.4Ghz. How realistic is this result for us enthusiasts? Can such a stunt be repeated? Time to find out.
http://www.madshrimps.be/gotoartik.php?articID=906
===================================================
Title: Leadtek Limited WinFast GTX260 EXTREME+ Video Card
URL: http://www.bigbruin.com/2009/leadtek260_1
Quote: Â Aside from a few issues, the Leadtek Limited WinFast GTX260 EXTREME+ is a very impressive video card. It provides strong performance in 3D games, it has the ability to handle any multimedia tasks with ease, and it is so quiet that it is well suited for use in just about any type of system. Â It could be the card to provide some gaming muscle to your desktop, LAN rig, or HTPC!
===============================================
NEW CONTENT (Digital Lounge) – Western Digital’s WD TV HD Media Player – Video Review
QUOTE: “You could think of it as a DVD player without the optical DVD drive and a home theater PC without the full functionality of a computer. It really is just that – it doesn’t come with any internal storage and sadly no Ethernet networking support, but it does include two hi-speed USB 2.0 ports, which allows you to hook up two external hard drives or USB flash drives which use a FAT32, NTFS or HFS+ (no journaling) file system.
The WD TV allows you to view photos, listen to music and watch movies on your TV. We have seen several devices like in this part, but none as good as this one. As for photos, WD TV supports JPEG, GIF, TIF/TIFF, BMP and PNG file formats. As for music, it supports MP3, WMA, OGG, WAV/PCM/LPCM, AAC, FLAC, Dolby Digital, AIF/AIFF and MKA file formats. As for movies, it supports MPEG1/2/4, WMV9, AVI (MPEG4, Xvid, AVC), H.264, MKV, MOV (MPEG4, H.264),MTS, TP and TS file formats. You will need to update your WD TV firmware to version 1.01 for all of these formats to be supported. Ours came already updated, so you may or may not need to depending on how long yours has been sitting around in the warehouse.”
For more information, please visit - http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/1742/western_digital_s_wd_tv_hd_media_player_video_review/index.html
======================================================
The right piece of the headset has controls for powering the device as well as putting it in pairing mode. You also have buttons for skipping between audio tracks and pausing which worked very well in Windows Media Player as well as iTunes on my iMac and the Blackberry Bold. A volume control is also present on the headset but instead of changing your desktop/notebook\’s volume, it changes the headset\’s volume levels.
Full Article:
http://www.tbreak.com/articles/47/1/Creative-SE2300-Bluetooth-Headphone/Page1.html
=========================================================
OCIA.net has posted their review of the BFG Tech MX 550w Modular Power Supply. Below is a direct quote from the review:
======================================================
Why even pay for software? A declaration against poorly implemented DRM
I’m guessing you wouldn’t usually expect me to make a post like this, but seriously, where is the incentive to pay for software these days? Yes, it is unfortunate how millions of people pirate software nowadays, but by now it has to be clear that there is little to nothing that can be done about it.
Those that can afford to buy software generally do pay for it, but I have found the hard way that it isn’t always worth it, and this is becoming truer as time goes on thanks to poorly implemented DRM (Digital Rights Management).
When Microsoft released Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit it was rather pricey, but I still went out and purchased two copies right away – one for me and one for testing. Although I have paid for the software I’m extremely tempted to avoid the genuine activation and simply crack it. But why would I do such a thing for software that I have paid good money for? Well, it’s simple. Because of the large number of people that pirate Windows, Microsoft has felt compelled to punish the suckers that actually buy it.
================================================
Title: MSI N295GTX – NVIDIA GTX 295 1792MB Review @ ModReactor
Direct Link:
http://www.modreactor.com/english/Reviews/MSI-N295GTX-Review-NVIDIA-GeForce-GTX-295-1792-tested.html
Quote: “Between 2006 and 2008, NVIDIA hat a two years of comfortable
rule over the video card market always maintaining their positions a
step ahead of AMD/ATI in technology, performance and price. AMD were
always big, yet review results inevitably assured the users of the
superiority of some GeForce family model. Until the AMD RV770 core
bearing the trade name of HD48xx was released in the summer of 2008.
After AMD began to dominate in the middle and mid-high class with
HD4870, by offering awesome balance between price and performance, it
soon took also the performance crown by releasing the dual-cored
HD4870X2 card. Time passed and now NVIDIA are announcing their claims
over that crown. Two cores manufactured by new 55nm process, working
in SLI mode, 1792MB memory and 480 scalar processors – enough of
physical potential to be successful. But are they? Well, that’s our
======================================================
NEW CONTENT (Visual) – ASUS GeForce ENGTX285 TOP Graphics Card
QUOTE: “One thing I really can’t stress enough about the TOP line-up of graphics cards from ASUS is that they are more than just a few extra MHz on the core and memory. Past experience has always shown that the clocks offered by a card carrying this marking are clearly above the norm.
What’s interesting, though, is that this time around ASUS has not only got a TOP card on offer but also an Extreme one for the GTX 285. The TOP is the lower clocked of the two and what we’re hoping is that ASUS hasn’t just decided to ease off the MHz simply to squeeze a few more dollars out of people wanting even more performance.”
For more information, please visit - http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/1741/asus_geforce_engtx285_top_graphics_card/index.html
====================================================
Tech Arkade has just published a review on the IN-WIN ‘NA hard drive enclosure. With so many to choose from, how does the ‘NA compare? See the review here: http://techarkade.com/component/content/article/46-storage/67-in-win-na-external-hdd-enclosure.html?directory=66
=======================================================
InsideHW.com has reviewed Kingston HyperX DDR3 1600MHz CL9. Here is a quote from this review:
“In a vast amount of offered RAM modules, Kingston modules were mentioned very often and that doesn’t come as surprise since more than 30% of all produced memory modules are signed by Kingston. Kingston’s memory brand HyperX was reserved for fastest and priciest RAM modules, but since there are more memory manufacturers than ever before, Kingston decided that it is time to introduce HyperX brand to mainstream market…â€
Article link:
http://www.insidehw.com/Reviews/Memory/Kingston-HyperX-DDR3-1600MHz-CL9.html
=====================================================
RockNRolla Blu-Ray Review @ Ascully.com

Quote
“A criss-cross of bold music, people, lives, crimes, money, greed, violence, and one sexy chick, can go very wrong, or very right. This is a very right kind of combination. The cast is excellent. Everyone is equal so I don’t need to focus on anyone in particular…well ok, the guy who plays Johnny Quid has moments of greatness that drew me even more into the story. That’s a good thing!”
Article Link – http://www.ascully.com/blu-ray-reviews/rocknrolla/
Podcast link – http://www.ascully.com/after-the-show-55-rocknrolla-blu-ray-review/
Article Title – RockNRolla Blu-Ray Review @ Ascully.com
===================================================
Article Name: Sapphire Toxic HD 4870 512MB Video Card Review @ Tweaknews
Article Url: http://www.tweaknews.net/reviews/sapphire_toxic_hd4870/
Article Snippet:
“I have to admit, at first I thought that this card would be much like the rest with a slight performance increase and a better cooling solution. But through testing and benchmarking, this card has impressed me with a sizable performance increase, a good overclocking experience and all for a price that at this time is under US$200.”
===================================================
“Those who have been following the triple release of betas since last year won’t see more than a few changes, but the free desktop VoIP communicator is a worthy final version that brings some key enhancements with video and audio bandwidth. In our tests audio quality and video streaming were excellent, although you should remember that quality depends on your Internet connection and hardware configuration. Using headphones that support ultra-wideband audio will also help. You’ll never get the quality of TV, but there were certainly fewer jumps and sound syncing problems compared to previous versions of the software – that’s thanks to the new bandwidth manager that salvages audio first as available bandwidth drops, followed by lowering the rate of frames per second and by compressing images more heavily. Skype 4.0 is a great product that makes VoIP easy.â€
http://www.itreviewed.co.uk/rev.php?id=909
====================================================
Samsung Syncmaster 2243BW 22″ LCD Display Review
“Okay, so the 22″ widescreen Samsung Syncmaster 2243BW LCD display PCSTATS is testing in this review is oriented towards budget and gamer crowds – that much is clear. The Syncmaster 2243BW retails for the very affordable amount of $270 CDN, making it a tempting choice for a dual 22″ display set up.”
URL LINK: http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleID=2368
TAG-LINE: Samsung Syncmaster 2243BW 22″ LCD Display Review @ PCSTATS.com
=======================================================
We have just posted up our review of Ikonik Zaria A20 case with SIM (System Intelligent Management). This case has some very unique design features that make it stand out. After pushing the huge power button with my foot during a fragging match, I’m not sure I like all of their design elements. Still it’s a nice case so make sure you catch our review for all the details.
Title: Ikonik Zaria A20 Case With SIM
URL: http://www.bcchardware.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6726&Itemid=40
==========================================================
I was checking some hardware vendor’s ratings on the BBB’s (Better Business Bureau) website earlier today when I came across an interesting query result. “The Better Business Bureau, founded in 1912, is not a government agency, but a network of local BBB organizations based in the United States and Canada, which work together through the Council of Better Business Bureau. The BBB goal is to foster a fair and effective marketplace, so that buyers and sellers can trust each other.†-Wikipedia
Link: http://www.ngohq.com/news/15430-nvidia-gets-an-f-by-the-better-business-bureau.html
===================================================
Title:Â Antec Sonata Elite Super Midi Tower Case Review @ Vortez Hardware
Link:Â http://www.vortez.co.uk/review.php?id=24
Snippet:Â ”We have with us to analyse today the Antec Sonata Elite, the Elite expands on the Sonata family of cases offering even more silence and innovative design. “
=====================================================
Today’s review will be looking at their “Over Slide†product, which is the largest mouse mat that they have on offer. NOVA’s site describes the pad as the “ultimate mouse pad†for gamers, lets see if they’re right!
Read the rest of the review … http://www.arm3d.com/review/259-1/nova-over-slide-mouse-pad/introduction.html
====================================================
“The volume of confidential data on our computers grows so quickly, so the demand for secure storage like LaCie’s d2 SAFE is inevitable. The d2 SAFE is ideal for guarding top secret files or intellectual property, and is particularly useful for small teams working on confidential projects. Not only is the d2 SAFE extremely well designed and manufactured, but it’s relatively inexpensive and is one of the few encrypted hard drives suitable for both Macs and PCs. It also performs well against other encrypted portable hard drives. The d2 SAFE’s one downside is that it doesn’t automatically de-authenticate the drive after a period of time – such as when a user has gone home for the day but failed to lock the drive. We’d like to see some sort of timeout option added here. Otherwise, the drive is sound for home or small-business use.â€
http://www.itreviewed.co.uk/rev.php?id=907
====================================================
We’re writing to let you all know that we have just posted a new article at HotHardware in which we evaluate the features, performance, and value of two high-end Intel X58 Express based motherboards for the Core i7 from Asus and MSI, the Rampage II Extreme and the X58 Eclipse. Come on by the site and check it out…
X58 Showdown: ASUS Rampage II Extreme vs. MSI Eclipse
http://hothardware.com/News/ASUS-Rampage-II-Extreme-vs-MSI-Eclipse/
===============================================
Title: Morex 2733 Mini-ITX case Review @ FusionMods.Net
Link: http://www.fusionmods.net/index.php?theCase=viewThread&threadID=1865
Quote: “If you like power in small packages, this might be the case for you. Â Morex Case 2733 is designed for the high end Mini-ITX motherboards. Â Its designed well, with great cooling, and has a beefy 150w PSU, and will fit 2 PCI slot devices.”
=====================================================
Title:Â Lamptron Fan Controller 2 (FC2) Review @ Vortez Hardware
Link:Â http://www.vortez.co.uk/review.php?id=23
Snippet:Â ”Up for review today is a fan controller by Lamptron, a name that should be quite well known in modding circles as they’ve got an impressive range of PC jewellery to show off.“
======================================================
TechwareLabs has published a review of the Dymo LabelWriter Twin Turbo. Here’s a clip from the review:
Quote: Whether you have to print one label or 1000 labels, the DYMO LabelWriter could be the product for you. Join Ilya as TechwareLabs takes a look at what this Twin Turbo model has to offer. Will we grow an unhealthy addiction to printing labels or will it sit around collecting dust? Read on to find out…
LINK: http://www.techwarelabs.com/reviews/misc/dymo_labelwriter
Title: Dymo LabelWriter Twin Turbo @ TechwareLabs
====================================================
NEW CONTENT (Software) – Windows Vista SP1 vs Vista SP2 Release Candidate Performance
QUOTE: “We managed to get hold of a copy of Windows Vista SP2 RC (Release Candidate) from Microsoft and decided to put it through its paces against Vista SP1 to see if consumers can expect to see any performance improvements in the latest service pack for the struggling Vista operating system.
Release Candidate or RC simply means that it is a possible final version for Microsoft to release to the public sometime soon after. Many previews of the Vista SP2 BETA were published toward the end of last year, but this is build 6002.16659.090114-1728 – a newer release which is likely to yield some improvements.”
For more information, please visit - http://www.tweaktown.com/articles/1740/windows_vista_sp1_vs_vista_sp2_release_candidate_performance/index.html
=======================================================
Title:
NOX Coolbay HX Case & APEX 700W
Link:
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/NOX/Coolbay_HX_APEX_700W
Brief:
Yes, the Coolbay HX looks similar to the Antec 900, but this chassis from NOX manages to score with additional features, a nice interior paint job and better cooling, making it a choice to be taken very seriously, especially considering the price point.
=====================================================
W7Forums have a new article on how to run the Windows 7 beta within your existing Vista/XP installation using VirtualBox, eliminating the need to dual boot or perform a clean install:
“Trying out Windows 7 isn’t quite as difficult as you may think, as you don’t need to wipe or dual boot your existing Vista/XP installation to try out the new Microsoft operating system. It is entirely possible to run Windows 7 from within your existing Windows installation, at the cost of reduced performance. All of this is thanks to virtualisation technologies which allow you to run a computer within a computer.
There is a downside to this, as a virtualised PC normally uses emulated hardware – so the graphics card used to power Windows 7 will be nowhere near as good as a modern gaming card. This means you won’t be able to play recent games within the virtualised installation, but it is more than adequate for testing and playing with the new OS.”
Link : http://www.w7forums.com/run-windows-7-virtualbox-t107.html
==================================================
Titel: Kurztest: MobileKnox und DesktopKnox**
Teaser: Heutzutage ist jeder Mensch gezwungen, sich viele sensible Daten zu merken, um mit Geräten des täglichen Lebens umgehen zu können. Zum Beispiel fragen Geldautomaten nach einer Zahlenkombination und auch Email-Accounts sind durch Loginnamen und Codewörter geschützt. Aus vielen guten Gründen sollten Passwörter schwierig zu erraten sein und außerdem nur für jeweils einen Zugang benutzt werden. Durch die Vielzahl der benötigten Zugangswörter ist es für den Durchschnittsmenschen fast unmöglich, sich all seine Daten zu merken.
Link: http://www.pc-luchs.de/software/testbericht/mobileknox//16.html
=====================================================
Hardware Bistro has just posted latest review on TRENDnet TEW-624UB. Thanks
Quote: “As we are aware wireless devices are getting more and more popular with its greater flexibility and lower price nowadays. After reviewed couples of wireless devices such as wireless router, wireless HDD and today we’ll take a look on a wireless N USB adapter from TRENDnet; TEW-624UB. TEW-624UB is an IEEE 802.11n (draft 2.0) USB adapter which has greater speed and range than IEEE 802.11b/g.”
===============================================
NEW CONTENT (Cases, Cooling and Power Supplies) – Thermaltake SpinQ CPU Cooler
QUOTE: “Today we have the Thermaltake SpinQ CPU cooler, a unique take on cooler designs of the past. The SpinQ is cooled with an 80mm “squirrel cage” type of fan and this fan not only cools the fins of the cooler but air is drawn in both ends and blown out in all directions across the body of the SpinQ. Obviously this cooler is named SpinQ for a reason. While I’m not too sure on the “Q” part, the “Spin” comes from the 30° twist of each fin, creating an overall spiraled design. This gives the SpinQ a previously unseen design of the body. Very flashy, I must say!
We at TweakTown have reviewed a few of the Orbs and the “V” series coolers which all did pretty well overall. So now I am left with the task of finding out whether this cooler is about flash or function, or perhaps even a good mix of both. It is time to get some images happening and strap the Thermaltake SpinQ to our test rig to see what the verdict is.”
For more information, please visit - http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/1739/thermaltake_spinq_cpu_cooler/index.html
=========================================================
Title: Thermaltake SpinQ Review at Overclockers Online
Link: http://www.overclockersonline.net/?page=articles&num=2471
Quote: Thermaltake was pushing the boundaries of innovation when they
created the SpinQ, focusing on achieving the unique look rather than
performance. The performance isn’t but for its price, there are competitors
who can do much better. Nonetheless, the SpinQ is one of the most visually
entrancing coolers I’ve seen, making it the perfect upgrade for someone who
doesn’t care about the big OC numbers, but someone interested in modifying
their computer’s appearance to make coworkers point and stare.
=========================================================
TITLE: Cooler Master Elite 330 Case RC-330-KKN1-GP @ Benchmark Reviews
DESCRIPTION: Benchmark Reviews has been on the web for over a year now. In that time I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing some very nice higher end computer items, including mid and full tower cases. While I love the high end market I realize for every high end part sold, there are probably 100′s of mid to lower end parts sold. So who’s buying these parts? Everyone is that’s who. So where do they get their pre purchase information from? Hopefully here at Benchmark Reviews. Cooler Master recognizes there is an audience at this price point and so should we. Today Benchmark Reviews will look at the Cooler Master Elite 330 RC-330-KKN1-GP Chassis. A mid tower computer case that appears to be big on features but small on price.
ARTICLE URL: http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=297&Itemid=61
=====================================================
Today we get our grubby little hands on the Media Player coined “Networked Media Tankâ€; this is the Popcorn Hour A-110. While its name recognition is not that of Apple, it does imply that it’s time to sit and enjoy some theater.
“As you can see, the Popcorn hour A-110 Network Media Tank aims to please. There is support for most Video / Audio containers and Codecs currently out. Of note, while you can find an “iTunesServer†on your local network, the PCH A-110 does not play DRM’d AAC audio, not that many things outside of iTunes and iPod’s can. Popcorn Hour also releases firmware updates to help keep abreast of current trends.”
http://www.viperlair.com/index.php/reviews/popcorn-hour-a-110.html
======================================================
Title: ASUS P5N7A-VM GeForce 9300 mATX Motherboard
URL: http://www.bigbruin.com/2009/asusp5n7a_1
Quote: Â Although the P5N7A-VM’s stock performance would normally be more than enough for most home theater PC or basic home desktop tasks, overclocking could be beneficial. The P5N7A-VM offers very basic overclocking functionality, but it was more than enough to allow me to overclock the Q6600 to 3.0 GHz 9×333) with a stock Intel heatsink.
========================================================
OCIA.net has posted their review of the Cooler Master V10 Hybrid TEC CPU Cooler. Below is a direct quote from the review:
==================================================
“The AudioFX2 represents incredible value, that’s for sure. Audio quality isn’t up there with dedicated headsets, primarily to a lack of a detailed, neutral sound, but is definitely an energetic sounding headphone and good enough to satisfy hard core gamers and casual music playback. The AudioFX2 gives good depth to bass notes, without being overpowering, and is particularly detailed in the upper midrange. Furthermore, it offers extensive versatility to support a wide variety of audio and gaming devices in a single package. It has also been a long time since I have used a more comfortable gaming headset. Hard to beat for the price.â€
http://www.itreviewed.co.uk/rev.php?id=906
========================================================
NZXT Zero 2 Case Review:
Link: http://www.rbmods.com/Articles/Nzxt/Zero2/1.php
Quote: When I choose a computer case, I typically am drawn towards a couple of things: good looks and cool features that will make building and using the computer enjoyable. NZXT, makers of a wide variety of computer products, sent us a sample of one of their new cases, the NZXT Zero 2 mid-tower computer case, which claims to combine stylish looks with extreme cooling capabilities Can their case live up to these lofty claims? Let’s find out in this case review.
=====================================================
Title – CoolerMaster Storm Sniper Review @ High Tech Reviews
Quote – When we first saw the CoolerMaster Storm Sniper while
attending the Consumer Electronics Show last month we were taken
aback by the rugged appear of this military inspired case. That along
with some new features we have never seen in any other cases up to
this time, such as the “StormGuard”. The “StormGuard” looks like a
I/O slot cover that has notches cut out of it. What it does is to
allow you to intertwine your mouse, keyboard, or headphone cables
around the StormGuard so that no one can walk off with your valuable
accessories.
Link -
http://www.hi-techreviews.com/review-links-mainmenu-80/9500-coolermaster-storm-sniper
==================================================
“As hard drive capacities increase, the power required to run those drives increases as well. WD’s WD20EADS makes it possible for energy-conscious users to build a system with massive storage capacities and the right balance of system performance, ensured reliability, and energy conservation. The drive is also environmentally friendly due to relatively lower power consumption, and it runs cool and quiet operation. What more can you ask for? Well, speed is a tad disappointing – the WD20EADS lags behind smaller-capacity drives such as WD’s RE3 Enterprise 500GB and VelociRaptor. This is due largely to the fact that the drive’s rotaional speed is 5400rpm, which results in a latency of 5.5ms rather than the 4.2ms you typically get on a 7200rpm drive. Unless you’re a speed junkie, you should be more that satisfied with its 11p per gigabyte up-front cost and green credentials. Before you take the plunge however, it’s worth noting that Seagate is hot on WD’s heels. The company’s 7200.12 (2TB) drive should be out soon, so then it will be a battle between who has better transfer speeds (and a better firmware, apparently). Since the 7200.12 is supposed to be much faster than the company’s 7200.11, Seagate will probably take the speed crown.â€
http://www.itreviewed.co.uk/rev.php?id=905
====================================================
Title: TRENDnet TEW-672GR Router Review @ FusionMods.Net
Link: http://www.fusionmods.net/index.php?theCase=viewThread&threadID=1867
Quote: “TRENDnet has been making quality networking equipment for many years, and their focus on quality has always been great. Â Today, we get our test hungry hands on one of their newest routers, the TEW-672GR.”
======================================================
“Existing FileMaker users should be excited about the new features and user interface of FileMaker Pro 10, making this update one of the most significant in recent years. The ability to add buttons on the Status Toolbar is going to make life so much easier for many users, and Script Triggers should help to raise development productivity. More importantly, FileMaker Pro 10 allows non-programmers to create their own databases with ease, and the new icons in the Status Toolbars have a very comforting feel. The software’s entire list of new features and capabilities are beyond the scope of a review, but this latest version is a big step forward in terms of accessibility and out-of-the-box deployment. A must-have upgrade for any FileMaker Pro user.â€
http://www.itreviewed.co.uk/rev.php?id=904
=====================================================