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VIA Launches the Lowest Power x86 Processor and World's Smallest Board-May 15, 2008
VIA Technologies has introduced the latest in power efficient x86 processor platforms, launching the VIA EPIA PX5000EG Pico-ITX motherboard running the low power VIA Eden ULV processor running at 500 MHz. The EPIA PX5000EG Pico-ITX is the world's smallest x86 board, and when combined with the 500MHz VIA Eden ULV processor, offers a platform that can fit into the most space constrained, heat sensitive environments. The Pico-ITX form factor provides an ample feature set using base dimensions of 10cm x 7.2cm, offering according to VIA, a complete system in the palm of your hand.
The VIA EPIA PX5000EG board includes both LVDS/DVI and VGA display support, integrated 5.1 channel audio, fast 100/10 Ethernet, IDE and SATA drive support, up to six USB ports, and a COM port. It also supports up to 1GB of DDR2 system memory, and with the VIA VX700 system media processor, users receive VIA UniChrome Pro II IGP 3D/2D graphics for MPEG-2/4 and WMV9 hardware decoding acceleration. The VIA Eden ULV has a maximum power draw of only one watt, and can be run without any cooling. "The introduction of the VIA EPIA PX5000EG elevates the VIA EPIA range of innovative embedded solutions to new heights of thermal and energy efficiency in an extremely miniaturized form factor," said Daniel Wu, Vice President, VIA Embedded Platform Division, VIA Technologies, Inc. VIA has yet to announce pricing on the EPIA PX5000EG Pico-ITX board.
Related Link: VIA Technologies OCZ Goes Mobile with a New Line of Do-It-Yourself Gaming Notebooks-May 14, 2008
OCZ Technology has decided that the mobile gaming market is ready for a high-end, do-it-yourself solution. The OCZ Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Gaming Notebook Program looks to fill that void, and allows interested buyers to build a specific notebook configuration, or alternatively, buy a standard notebook and customize it to individual requirements. OCZ has validated a set of components that will provide flexibility, but also ensure seamless and speedy integration into completed mobile systems. This also ties into the natural "build it yourself" nature of hardware enthusiasts, and OCZ will attempt to transition this consumer base to DIY notebooks.
OCZ intends to offer a true DIY notebook that follows the same basic structure as building your own desktop PC. This includes customization of processor, memory, hard drive and operating system, as well as the option of acquiring other components or upgrades through secondary markets, and saving labor costs by doing the job yourself. Current notebook options include a Core 2 Duo platform, with support for the newest 45nm processors, flexible memory options, GeForce 8600M GT mobile graphics, and a 15.4-inch LCD. "With the OCZ Do-It-Yourself Notebook initiative, OCZ empowers with the resources like validated component guides, documentation, tech support, and a warranty to allow consumers to configure and build a true gaming notebook with the exact specification that matches their unique requirements," said Eugene Chang, Product Manager for OCZ System Solutions. The company has yet to announce pricing on their line of Do-It-Yourself Notebooks.
Related Link: OCZ Technology Arctic Cooling Offers 33% Lower GeForce 9800 Temperatures with the Accelero XTREME 9800-May 14, 2008
Arctic Cooling has launched the Accelero XTREME 9800 VGA cooler, a model based on the Accelero XTREME 8800, but with significantly better heat dissipation. The heatsink measures 248mm x 88mm x 31mm and offers five 6mm heat pipes and 107 fins, which when combined with the three 80mm PWM cooling fans, provides excellent heat transfer and cooling performance. The Accelero XTREME 8800 is rated at a 240-watt cooling capacity, and according to Arctic Cooling, results in a 29°C temperature drop compared to the stock cooler.
The Accelero XTREME 9800 also cools the onboard memory and voltage regulator, and is compatible with SLI configuration. The added cooling also helps potential overclocking results, as well as offering an extended service life to these hot-running video cards. Maintaining the ambient noise is also a prime consideration, and the Accelero XTREME 9800 sports three 80mm PWM fans (700 – 2000 RPM at 20 CFM/fan) made by low noise impellers and utilizing a specialized fan holder that helps eliminate any buzzing sounds. It ships with MX-2 compound pre-installed, and features a 6-year limited warranty. The Accelero XTREME 9800 will be available in June 2008, and carries a MSRP of $53.95 USD.
Related Link: Arctic Cooling Biostar Launches the TPower N750 (nForce 750a SLI) Motherboard-May 13, 2008
Biostar has added another TPower model to their enthusiast line, this time built around the powerful NVIDIA nForce750a SLI chipset and supporting AM2/AM2+ processors from the entry-level Sempron to the very latest Phenom X4. The board supports four DDR2 slots at 533/667/800/1066 MHz speeds for up to 16GB of total memory. The TPower N750 features a 3 x PCI Slots, 1 x PCI-E x1 2.0 Slot, 2 x PCI-E x16 2.0 Slot (SLI x8) design, with 6 x SATA2 3Gb/s and 1 x PATA connectors. These are the standard options, but where the TPower N750 motherboard gets interesting is with its specialized features.
One of these is the optional Hybrid Space-Pipe cooling system. It includes a thermal design that takes the heat from the motherboard chipset and directs it to a heatsink on the back panel, for easy exhausting. This provides a fanless design for quiet operation, but with the reliability needed for high-end performance and overclocking. NVIDIA Hybrid SLI is another interesting feature that allows both an integrated and discrete NVIDIA graphics card to work in SLI mode. GeForce Boost follows this up with an additional performance boost when using a NVIDIA GPU with the TPower N750. NVIDIA's HybridPower allows supported cards to run at low power modes when in standard desktop usage, lowering the heat, power and noise. Biostar has yet to release pricing on the TPower N750 motherboard.
Related Link: Biostar OCZ Expands their DDR3 lineup with the PC3-12800 Special Ops Urban Elite Edition-May 13, 2008
OCZ Technology has given the Special Ops treatment to another new line of DDR3 modules, specifically 1GB and 2GB PC3-12800 modules, complete with an “urban” camouflage motif heatspreader design for this Special Ops Urban Elite Edition. These PC3-12800 memory modules run at 1600 MHz and feature an Urban Camo Motif XTC Heatspreader, high quality XTC (Xtreme Thermal Convection) design. The PC3-12800 SOE Urban Elite Series is available in both 1GB and 2GB module densities, along with the corresponding 2GB (2x1GB) and 4GB (2x2GB) dual channel kits.
The OCZ DDR3 PC3-12800 Special Ops Urban Elite feature memory timings of CL 8-8-8-26 at 1.8V (at a 1.85V EVP). "This is one set of modules that have the style to match the kit’s exceptional performance. The new OCZ DDR3 SOE Urban Elite arms gamers with a stunning combination of high speed and high density for the most intense new titles," said Alex Mei, CMO of the OCZ Technology Group. OCZ states that their latest DDR3 Special Ops Urban Elite modules are 100% hand-tested for quality assurance and compatibility, and are backed by a full lifetime warranty. The company has yet to announce pricing on the PC3-12800 Special Ops Urban Elite modules and matched pair kits.
Related Link: OCZ Technology Patriot Updates their DDR2 4GB PC2-8500 Line to "Revision 2"-May 7, 2008
Patriot Memory has upgraded its high-end DDR2 modules and released a new revision of its 4GB PC2-8500 product line. These "Revision 2" matched pair kits will update both the Viper and Bladed DDR2 product lines, and provide increased system stability and compatibility for Intel and NVIDIA chipsets. The latest Patriot modules will feature EPP (Enhanced Performance Profiles), which allow for increased SPD timings with select NVIDIA-based platforms.
The two new kits include updated "Revision 2" editions of the Patriot Extreme Performance Viper DDR2 4GB (2 x 2GB) PC2-8500 (PVS24G8500ELKR2) and Patriot Extreme Performance DDR2 4GB (2 x 2GB) PC2-8500 (PDC24G8500ELKR2) matched pairs. "We are always searching for ways to improve our product lines," said Les Henry, Technical Director for Patriot Memory. "The new revision 2 4GB PC2-8500 kits are an example of this pursuit. Like bios and IC chips revisions, this module revision improves overall system stability and compatibility." Both products are available now, but Patriot Memory has yet to release pricing.
Related Link: Patriot Memory Mushkin Releases a New Line of Ascent Redline and XP eVCI-cooled Memory-May 6, 2008
System temperature levels are a hot topic in computer hardware, as companies and individuals try to wring every last MHz out of their equipment. Mushkin is giving their XP and Redline modules a facelift, and incorporating a state-of-the-art eVCI (enhanced Vapor Chamber Interface) cooling system on each module. The base for the eVCI cooling solution is a pair of liquid filled copper vapor chambers (123mm x 25mm) encased in high conductivity 6063 aluminum alloy, which have been developed by Celsia Technologies. This helps transfer the module heat to the aluminum, and according to Mushkin, allows for temperatures up to 48 percent cooler than conventional heatspreaders.
The Celsia eVCI cooling system does not take additional real estate, and the Mushkin Ascent Redline and XP modules feature a low-profile, slimline format that will not hamper full usage of memory slots or limit CPU cooler selection. The Ascent XP series will include both XP2-8500 (2GB and 2x2GB) and XP3-16000 (1GB and 2x1GB) modules, while the specific Redline model numbers have yet to be announced. "By combining high frequency memory chips into a package uniquely designed to handle increased heat and voltage demands, the Ascent product line offers gamers and other PC enthusiasts a new level of performance," said Brian Flood, director of product development for Mushkin. The Ascent XP Series is currently available, and the Ascent Redline will follow in 60 days, but Mushkin has yet to release pricing.
Related Link: Mushkin OCZ Hits 2.0 GHz using High-Density 2GB DDR3 Modules-May 6, 2008
With the release of the Intel X48 chipset, DDR3 memory continues to grow in popularity, and enthusiasts are demanding faster speeds at higher capacities. OCZ Technology has answered the call, and is offering up the OCZ DDR3 PC3-16000 Platinum Edition memory, clocked at a blistering 2.0 GHz. But what is special about these modules is that OCZ has managed to hit a 2GB capacity, and can offer a 2.0 GHz clock speed in a 4GB matched pair kit. These are also available in standard 1GB and 2x1GB configurations, but the real news is hitting PC3-16000 speeds at 2GB.
OCZ DDR3 PC3-16000 Platinum Edition memory features CL9-9-9-28 timings at 2.0 GHz, while using a default memory voltage of 1.8V (1.85V EVP) for 1GB and 1.9V (1.95V EVP) for 2GB modules. These are also EPP 2.0-ready, which allows for optimized SPD configurations with select NVIDIA nForce 790i Ultra platforms. OCZ outfits these PC3-16000 modules with platinum-mirrored XTC (Xtreme Thermal Convection) heatspreaders, and backs them with a full lifetime warranty. "It is no myth that higher memory densities make it harder to push higher clock frequencies; OCZ Technology pulled off this seemingly impossible task with the release of the world’s fastest high-density memory solution," commented Dr. Michael Schuette, VP of Technology Development at OCZ Technology. The company has yet to announce pricing on the DDR3 PC3-16000 Platinum Edition kits.
Related Link: OCZ Technology Dell Raises the Bar with Quad-CPU/Quad-Graphics XPS 730 H2 and H2C Gaming Systems-May 4, 2008
The latest news from Dell will have gaming enthusiasts cracking open their piggy banks, as the powerhouse Dell XPS 730 H2 and H2C gaming systems allow for the very highest end gaming possible. Sporting an nForce 790i Ultra SLI chipset, Intel Core 2 Extreme processors, and Corsair Dominator DDR3 memory, Dell is certainly not scrimping on the parts. Graphics options include the Radeon HD 3870 X2 in four-way CrossFireX or GeForce 8800GT using SLI. Data capacity will not be an issue, as the XPS 730 H2 and H2C have up to four hard drives factory installed, supporting many RAID configurations.
The H2C cooling solution features a two-stage ceramic cooling system with a redesigned CPU coldplate, a chipset coldplate, a dynamic speed control to the pump and fans, and a separate fan for the CPU’s voltage regulator components. The external case options include Victory Red and Stealth Blue designs, in 2.4mm anodized aluminum, for the XPS 730 H2C, while the XPS 730 features Silver brushed aluminum case. The power supply is a 1000W 80-Plus unit, and large, quiet pulse width modulation (PWM) fans provide cooling. The Dell XPS 730 H2 and H2C systems also support the NVIDIA Enthusiast System Architecture (ESA), for real-time system management. "With XPS and Alienware gaming systems we've been progressively delivering an awe-inspiring experience to gamers and now, with the XPS 730, we’ve set the bar for a truly kick-ass gaming experience," said Arthur Lewis, head of Dell’s gaming group. The air-cooled XPS 730 starts at $3,999, while the XPS 730 H2C starts at $4,999.
Related Link: Dell |
