X58 as you guys know can support both SLI and Crossfire, allowing one PC to test both, and for a reviewer that's pretty wicked really as we do not have to build multiple similar configured systems. One to rule them all. We figured, let's make a new system and go a little crazy. So the guys over at Smooth Creations decided to help us out by taking care of a custom paintjob. I wanted, blue Guru3D colored flames with our logo stamped in there, with a black coating.

Download Realtek HD Audio 2.12 Driver for Windows XP and Vista

It seems that Inno3D is working on a rather controversial cooled GeForce GTX 280. As you can see from the photo's below, Innor3D is planting a big Arctic-Cooling Accelero Extreme cooler on the unit. We tested that cooler earlier this year on a very hot Radeon 2900 XT (look here) and hot the temps down by a third. So that's a very interesting prospect for a GTX 280 as well.

Despite the cooling, Inno3D seems to keep the clock frequencies of the product standard. But that doesn't mean you can't do anything about that ;)

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Broadening its FireStik Extreme performance series of memory and done it with World

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DigiTimes writes that AMD updated its desktop CPU schedule. No less than six 45nm processors will be added to the Athlon lineup in the first half of 2009, this includes the quad-core Athlon X4 615 and 605 and triple-core Athlon X3 420 and 410 in April 2009, and also the dual-core Athlon X2 240 and 235 in June 2009.

Last order notice for the company's upcoming 45nm AM2+ Phenom II X4 920 and 940 Black Edition CPUs, will be issued in May next year, while AMD has already stopped taking orders for its quad-core Phenom X4 9650 this month. AMD's Phenom X4 9950 (140W) and 9850 (125W) will have their last order notice issued in March next year, and Phenom X4 9750, 9850 (95W) and 9950 (125W) will be in June.

AMD's triple-core Phenom X3 8450 and 8550 CPUs have started phasing out of the market, while the Phenom X3 8650 is scheduled to have its last order notice issued in March next year followed by the Phenom X3 8850 and 8750 in June. AMD's low-power Athlon X2 4450e CPU will have its last order notice issued in March next year.

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What the heck ? was what I was thinking the first time I noticed this one. Creative launched a teaser site for an upcoming "Stemcell Computing" product named Zii. Anyone have an idea what this is all about?

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Sparkle released low-profile GeForce 9600 GT and GeForce 9800 GT graphics cards for SFF and obviously .. HTPC systems:

Specification
Model Number	SX96GT512D3L-NM SX98GT512D3L-NM
Graphics Processing Unit	GeForce 9600 GT / GeForce 9800 GT
Core Clock	650 MHz / 600 MHz
Memory Clock	1800 MHz
Memory Type	512MB GDDR3
Memory Interface	256-bit
Stream Processors	96 / 112
Stream Processors Clock	1625 MHz /1500 MHz
Bus Type	PCI-Express 2.0
RAMDAC	400 MHz
Outputs	HDMI+DVI+HDCP

They both feature low profile PCB and native HDMI output support, designed for the users who want build HTPC home theatre. They have adopted 512MB GDDR3 and 256bit memory interface. According to the specification Sparkle releases, GeForce 9600GT features 96 stream processors ?! , which sounds a bit implausible.

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Valve issued a press release announcing that there is a huge sale on every title going on right now at the Steam game store. Yes, everything is on sale. Savings range from 10% off of the regular price, up to 75% on some titles.

Through January 2, 2009, every game on Steam is available at 10% to 75% off the regular price. Select publisher catalogs such as Ubisoft, THQ, and 2K Games are 25% off. Award-winning titles such as Bioshock and Portal are available for 75% off the regular price.

Here's just a small sample of the sale prices: Portal : $4.99, Bioshock : $4.99 (Reg.: $19.99), Fallout 3 : $39.99 (Reg.: $49.99), Left 4 Dead : $37.49 (Reg.: $49.99), Dawn of War - Everything Pack : $29.99. Remember, this sale is only from now until January 2, 2009.

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The new Realtek HD Audio 2.12 driver is available for download. The binaries support Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 x64, Windows Vista, Windows Vista x64, Windows XP, Windows XP x64.

Due to the UBER slow servers from Realtek we made a package containg both the XP and Vista drivers.

1.Vista WHQL Supporting: ALC882, ALC883, ALC885, ALC888, ALC889, ALC861VD, ALC660, ALC662, ALC663, ALC665, ALC260, ALC262,ALC267, ALC268, ALC269, ALC272, ALC273, ALC887
2.Windows 2000/XP WHQL Supporting: ALC880, ALC882, ALC883, ALC885, ALC888, ALC889, ALC861VC, ALC861VD, ALC660, ALC662, ALC663, ALC665, ALC260, ALC262, ALC267,ALC268, ALC269, ALC272, ALC273, ALC887
3.HDMI Device WHQL Support: ATI HDMI Devices
4.OS Supporting: Microsoft WindowsXP, Widnows2000, Vista x86/x64
5.Pack with Microsoft High Definition Audio UAAV1.0a(5013)
6.Add/Fix
1.) Driver :
1.Customizations.
2.Support encryption feature for ALC670. 

Download from Guru3D (XP/Vista package @ 24MB), click here.

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