ASRock Z690 Taichi review
Radeon RX 6500 XT review
MSI Vigor GK71 Sonic keyboard review
MSI GeForce RTX 3080 Suprim X 12GB review
TeamGroup A440 PRO Special 5eries 4TB NVMe review
Core i5 12400 processor review
MSI MAG B660M Mortar WIFI review
Biostar Z690 Valkyrie review
TeamGroup A440 PRO PCIe 4.0 M.2 NVMe review
DDR5 scaling with G.Skill TridentZ5 6000 CL36 review
Featured Stories
Review: ASRock Z690 Taichi
By
Hilbert Hagedoorn on: 01/21/2022 03:21 PM | 0 comment(s) ]
Meet the ASRock Z690 Taichi motherboard. This product is from a series that already appeared using the Z590 chipset, which we’ve reviewed not long ago. When looking at the overall specs, the Asrock Z690 Taichi isn’t much different from the predecessor, which would explain such a price difference.
Read the review here.
Download: Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) V18.0.4.8
By
Hilbert Hagedoorn on: 01/21/2022 09:55 AM | 0 comment(s) ]
Download Display Driver Uninstaller v18.0.4.8; this new update brings fixes, changes as well as offers Windows 11 support. DDU dropped support for Windows Vista.
Review: Radeon RX 6500 XT - (when 4GB just isn't enough anymore)
By
Hilbert Hagedoorn on: 01/19/2022 04:00 PM | 190 comment(s) ]
Never ever has entry-level performance been this costly, meet the new Radeon RX 6500 XT from AMD. It's fitted with 4GB 64-bit memory and a sniff of Inifinity Cache (16MB L3). Tied towards a PCIe Gen x4 link (3.0/4.0) we'll also perform PCIe scaling tests. And yeah, it ain't a pretty sight.
Read our review here.
Current Stories 
OCZ HydroFlow HF-MK1 waterblock released
By
Hilbert Hagedoorn on: 09/26/2008 08:48 AM | 0 comment(s) ]
OCZ shipped out a waterblock called HydroFlow HF-MK1, it's compatible with the latest Intel and AMD processors and retails for $40. "The HydroFlow HF-MK1 targets the highest possible thermal exchange rate between a solid body and the surrounding fluid, while maintaining enough cross sectional area for superior thermal conductance within the fin structure,
NVIDIA preps new product naming
By
Hilbert Hagedoorn on: 09/26/2008 08:44 AM | 0 comment(s) ]
Some rumors on the web say that NVIDIA might change the naming of it's graphics cards significantly. You guys know the cards as GeForce 9800 GT, GeForce 8800 GTX etc etc,. The word out on the street I that NVIDIA wants to simplify that naming by dropping the 8000- and 9000-series names.
Basically by example, the 9800 GT would become GeForce GT + an extension.
So the 9000 series as GeForce GT G100, GT120, GT130, GT140 and GT150 models. When the 2009 45 nm GPUs arrive, which is to be expected around Q1 or Q2, Nvidia will have fully transitioned to the new branding structure: Enthusiast GPUs will be integrated into the GTX200-series, performance GPUs into the GT200-series, mainstream GPUs into the GS200-series and entry-level products into the G200-series.
Rumor has it that the company will be announcing additional graphics cards in the GT200 series on October 15.
PC System requirements Call of Duty 5
By
Hilbert Hagedoorn on: 09/26/2008 08:30 AM | 0 comment(s) ]
Aah, the one game I look forward to sooo much. Developer Treyarch has revealed the system requirements for the PC version of its World War II shooter Call of Duty: World at War, which hits retailers on November 11 alongside the PS2, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii and Nintendo DS versions.
GS: Are there any other PC-specific features you can tell us about in Call of Duty: World at War?
CS: Our goal is to bring the same game experience to multiple platforms, and I think we are hitting our mark. That said, my team is very consciously making a PC title with a focus on all the things we love about PC gaming. COD:WAW looks fantastic in higher PC resolutions than you can get on a console. It plays great on high-end rigs, but we've optimized for more-modest gear, too. The PC version is more configurable with respect to controls, graphics, and performance options. And support for mods--not just multiplayer but co-op mods too!
GS: So far, Call of Duty: World at War appears to be a graphically intense game. What system requirements will PC gamers need to jump into the fray?
CS: My team worked closely with hardware vendors such as Intel and Nvidia to optimize for various hardware configurations available on PC. This was especially important as we are really pushing the limits of the engine. So we were able to achieve this graphical intensity with only a modest bump in the minimum requirements from COD4:
Processor: AMD 64 3200+/Intel Pentium 4 3.0GHz or better
Memory: 8 GB free hard-drive space, 512MB RAM (XP)/1GB RAM (Vista)
Graphics: Shader 3.0 or better, 256MB Nvidia GeForce 6600GT/ATI Radeon 1600XT or better
Meanwhile, series creator and Call of Duty 4 developer Infinity Ward is currently working on what publisher Activision refers to as Call of Duty 6, which releases next year.
Tom Clancy's EndWar Trailers
By
Hilbert Hagedoorn on: 09/26/2008 08:28 AM | 0 comment(s) ]
The folks from Ubisoft released two new trailers for Tom Clancy's EndWar, an upcoming real-time tactics game designed by Ubisoft Shanghai for the Nintendo DS, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, and Xbox 360 platforms, to be released on November 4, 2008 in North America and November 7, 2008 in Europe.
A PC version is planned for release at a later date.
Toshiba 256GB 3mm thick SSD
By
Hilbert Hagedoorn on: 09/26/2008 08:23 AM | 0 comment(s) ]
Nice volume size is going up ... Toshiba on Thursday unveiled a 256GB SSD in a 2.5-inch format, offering users a maximum of 120MB per second read speeds, and 80MB per second write. The announcement comes shortly after Samsung unveiled some low-cost and high-performance SSDs, with the Toshiba drives edging out over the Samsungs in terms of speed. Three flash modules for UMPCs and other handhelds were also unveiled, featuring read and write speeds of 80MB per second and 50MB per second, respectively, available in 8GB, 16GB, and 32GB sizes.
The 256GB drive boasts a slender form factor (3mm), while the flash modules measure 50mm by 30mm. Both offer a 3Gbps SATA connection for interfacing with a computer. Toshiba highlights a new MLC (multi-level cell) controller which it credits for the new SSD drive's faster read-write speeds, faster parallel data transfers, and improved wear leveling versus earlier MLC drives.
Toshiba is set to demonstrate the drives in Japan during the CEATEC conference in Makuhari. Mass production is due to commence during the fourth quarter of 2008, but other availability and pricing information was not readily available.
NVIDIA announces settlement of GPU antitrust litigation
By
Watcher on: 09/26/2008 05:30 AM | 0 comment(s) ]
A class action law suit alleging that "Nvidia and ATI conspired to fix, raise, maintain and stabilize prices of graphics processing chips and cards," has reached a settlement agreement, according to an NVIDIA SEC filing today.The settlement was reached on 16th September for the class action: In re Graphics Processing Units Antitrust Litigation. The class encompasses "purchasers who bought graphics cards directly from the websites of ATI Technologies ULC or NVIDIA in the United States during the period December 4, 2002 to November 7, 2007." The plaintiffs were seeking triple damages and costs.
The filing states that "The Agreement calls for NVIDIA to pay $850,000 into a $1.7 million fund to be made available for payments to the certified class. We are not obligated under the Agreement to pay plaintiffs' attorneys' fees, costs, or make any other payments in connection with the settlement other than our payment of $850,000."
While it's not stated, it must be assumed that the other half of the $1.7 million will be paid by AMD/ATI. A settlement with the sole remaining indirect purchaser was reached on 9th September, which required NVIDIA to pay $112,500 in exchange for a dismissal of all claims. Again it must be assumed that the sum was matched by AMD/ATI.
Being saddled with a total payment of under $2 million appears to be a shrewd resolution to the affair for the two graphics giants.
Watcher [spotted via hexus]
eVGA GeForce GTX 280 HC16 Hydro Copper review [Guru3D]
By
Hilbert Hagedoorn on: 09/25/2008 10:52 AM | 0 comment(s) ]
A test on the eVGA GeForce GTX 280 HC16 Hydro Copper.
A water-cooled pre-overclocked heavily pimped out EVGA GTX 280 HC 16 is what we'll review today. EVGA already overclocked this monster for you. The core is overclocked by another 89MHz (602MHz to 691MHz), memory by 108MHz (reference 1107MHz to 1215MHz) and the shaders are up from 1296MHz to 1458MHz.
Guys and gals .. this is one beast of a graphics card. Check it ...
Read the Guru3D review, click here.
Dell preps 16:9 monitor with affordable panel
By
Hilbert Hagedoorn on: 09/25/2008 08:49 AM | 0 comment(s) ]
A lucky tester from Taiwan has got hold of two unheard of Dell S2209W monitors, perhaps the prototype, soon to release 22-inch monitors with 16:9 Aspect Ratio. Digital PC flat panel with native resolution of 1920
EU to cap roaming data charges
By
Hilbert Hagedoorn on: 09/25/2008 08:42 AM | 0 comment(s) ]
Aah, finally ... The European Commission on Tuesday announced a planned law that would limit how much network providers can charge for text messages and downloads when users are roaming outside of their home country in Europe, according to a WSJ report (registration required). Under the proposed law, a single text message sent within the European Union will cost the equivalent of 16 US cents, down from about 42. Charges for passing on text messages between mobile operators will be limited to just under 6 cents.
At the same time, one megabyte of data will cost a maximum of 1 euro, or $1.46, between providers. Additionally, cellphone users will be able to set maximum cost levels that, when reached, would cut off the data service and hence avoid shockingly high bills.
The changes are brought on by a slow adoption of data services in Europe, with smaller network providers blaming the law on the high charges. Some smaller providers feel the 1 euro per megabyte cap still isn
Movea surface-independent Air Mouse
By
Hilbert Hagedoorn on: 09/25/2008 08:39 AM | 0 comment(s) ]
Now here's something new for ya. Movea on Wednesday announced the addition of the Air Mouse to its Gyration line of products. Thanks to its motion sensors, the Air Mouse will work in users' hands in free air, or in tight spaces thanks to dedicated media controls and presentation effects. The controls are also comatible with iTunes and Slingbox, allowing music tracks and TV channels to be changed at will.
Movea ensured the the Air Mouse weighs less than four ounces and can be used by both right- and left-handed users. The wireless mouse uses 2.4GHz radio frequency technology to endow it with a 100-foot range that will pass on commands even through walls. For more traditional desktop uses, the mouse features a tracking laser. The USB RF receiver can be stored in the mouse itself, and a travel bag is included.
The Air Mouse will be available in October, priced at a hefty $100.
NVIDIA to lower number of board partners
By
Hilbert Hagedoorn on: 09/25/2008 08:35 AM | 0 comment(s) ]
As you guys know there is a lot of restructuring going on inside NVIDIA. Ever since yesterday there are some rumors on the web that NVIDIA is ging to cut off some partners (AIBs) as early as Q1 2009. Here's a bit as posted on fudzilla:
The story behind is quite logical, the big partners can now twist Nvidia
DRAM prices going down
By
Hilbert Hagedoorn on: 09/25/2008 08:29 AM | 0 comment(s) ]
Historically that always happens this time of year. Contract prices of DRAM chips for the second half of September fell sharply as orders for memory chips from PC OEMs continued to dwindle, according to data available from DRAMeXchange.
Contract quotes for mainstream 1Gb DDR chips declined 16-19%, with the average price hitting a historical low of US$1.44, compared to a spot price of US$1.42, DRAMeXchange said. The latest average quotes for the second half of September were down almost 40% from pricing in July, the Chinese-language Economic Daily News (EDN) quoted DRAMeXchange as indicating.
Meanwhile, contract pricing for 1GB and 2GB DDR2 modules for the second half of September also dropped in a range of 13-15%, to a low of US$14.5 and US$29, respectively, DRAMeXchange added.
While the latest production reductions announced by Powerchip Semiconductor International (PSI), Elpida Memory and Hynix Semiconductor have helped shore up the share prices of Taiwan DRAM makers, it has not stabilized DRAM pricing, according to sources in Taiwan's memory industry.
Discuss Spore DRM on EA forums - Get Banned
By
Hilbert Hagedoorn on: 09/25/2008 05:40 AM | 0 comment(s) ]
Aah, just when you think a company can't get anymore stubborn. The entire Spore ordeal is slowly becoming something close to a soap opera. An apparent case of "mis-communication" led to moderators on the official Spore message board threatening to ban posters from playing EA Maxis' PC evolution simulator if they discussed the title's controversial DRM.
After inquiring about the DRM situation on the official Spore board, jpfrostfox's thread was locked, with the following added by a forum moderator:
'SecuROM as been discussed and discussed so much and it causes arguments in threads. If you want to talk about DRM SecuROM then please use another fansite forum. If there is any change you will be able to read it on the official Spore site. Please do not continue to post theses thread or you account may be at risk of banning which in some cases would mean you would need to buy a new copy to play Spore.'
Now that's just rediculous, just like the enforced DRM.
Photoshop CS4 GPU computing downloadable movies
By
Hilbert Hagedoorn on: 09/25/2008 04:13 AM | 0 comment(s) ]
Earlier this week we already reported that the all new Creative Suite 4, bringing with it Photoshop CS4 and Photoshop CS4 Extended, the latest versions to the photo editing application, optimized to take advantage of GPUs, along with many more features. Photoshop CS4 also simplifies many tasks, with content-aware scaling, auto-align and auto-blend modes on 360 degree panoramas.
Photoshop CS4's new GPU-aware nature allows it to share intensive tasks with the graphics card, speeding up operations significantly. Photoshop will offload panning, zooming, canvas rotation and several other operations to the GPU, allowing users to also experience a more free-flowing workspace.
I received some movies from NVIDIA demonstrating the new GPU accelerated features. I copressed them into one big 50 MB archive, feel free to download and have a look. Looks pretty impressive really.
Click here to download.
Thousands of DiamondMM Radeon 3870 prone to failure
By
Hilbert Hagedoorn on: 09/25/2008 04:05 AM | 0 comment(s) ]
TGDaily posted an interesting story today. Shortly after that news item was posted we received documentation from several sources confirming that a lot of Radeon HD 3870 cards might be defective.
In particular we received a document which originated from Alienware who used these cards, questioning the high failure rate of the cards. Diamond Multimedia may have shipped between 15,000 and 20,000 AMD/ATI HD 3800-series with design/manufacturing defects to system builders and the retail market. Between January and July of this year more than 15,000 units may have ended up in customer hands or are still being sold. Diamond denied that there is a problem with its cards, but confirmed that there was an isolated problem with one system builder earlier this year.
According to our industry source, Diamond Multimedia has been aware of the problem, but decided to keep the
Guru3D Rig of the Month September 2008
By
Hilbert Hagedoorn on: 09/24/2008 10:27 AM | 0 comment(s) ]
Each month we here at Guru3D.com we choose a rig of the month.
September 2008 are 'Flatline & Coma PCs' from 'Flatline aka Dave. Pretty normal PCs (for Guru3D standards) nice pimping jobs on them. But obviously the semi-control room he created is pretty interesting to see by any standard.
http://www.guru3d.com/category/rigs/
Windows 7 - No e-mail and media editing apps
By
Hilbert Hagedoorn on: 09/24/2008 10:19 AM | 0 comment(s) ]
Microsoft will make many of its previously standard bundled apps optional with the launch of Windows 7, the company said late Monday. While Vista came with copies of Windows Mail, Movie Maker and Photo Gallery regardless of the edition, the sequel operating system will now remove those entirely and make available only downloadable versions that can tap into Windows Live. The company argues that the move will ensure a quicker turnaround for the launch of the next Windows version and that it lets Microsoft work with firms in the future to customize the experience.
No explanation is given for how this would work, though Microsoft in the aftermath of antitrust rulings has had to agree to deals which saw different web browsers and other apps replace its own in PC bundles.
The update also saves Microsoft the challenge of supporting two distinct but functionally equivalent apps in some cases.
Microsoft's acknowledgment of speed as an issue supports some as-yet tentative claims that the company is attempting to hurry the Windows 7 release for late 2009 or earlier as well as to avoid the years-long delay for Windows Vista. The company has officially penned in an early 2010 launch for the update but is also facing a hostile reaction to Vista from home and business users, both of whom have encountered early compatibility and performance issues that are believed to be hurting Microsoft's public image.
The company recently started a $300 million ad campaign that includes Jerry Seinfeld and other celebrities in a bid to drive Vista sales before Windows 7 arrives. Microsoft's most recent ad launches a minor attack on Apple's "Get a Mac" ads by claiming that they present an unfair stereotype of Windows users and their experience.
By contrast, Apple has typically had a relatively short release cycle of between one to two years for major operating system updates by splitting its iLife creative suite away from Mac OS X. The move lets the software developer ship updates to either program independently of one another, although Apple to date has made no plans to drop its e-mail application. [Via Macnn]
Download: GPU-Z 0.2.8 released
By
Hilbert Hagedoorn on: 09/24/2008 10:17 AM | 0 comment(s) ]
GPU-Z is a lightweight utility designed to give you all information about your video card and GPU. GPU-Z 0.2.7 is out and it supports catalyst 8.8 & latest forceware drivers.
Here is the list of changes :
Here is the list of changes :
Added logging of sensor data to file
- Added option to disable polling for individual sensors
- Added support for AMD RV730
- Added clock reading support for Catalyst 8.9 on RV770 and RV730
- Added support for NVIDIA 9400 GT, 9500 GT, 9600 GS, 9800M GS, 9600M GS, 9300M GS, 9200M GE
- Added support for AMD R580 Stream Processor, RV730 and one M88 variant
- Fixed PCI subvendor ID 1787 to be ATI AIB
- Fixed readings and added monitoring support for ATI M88
- Fixed fan speed readings on ADT7473 sensor
- Added support for ADT7473 sensor chip on ATI
- Added release dates for several NVIDIA mobile GPUs
Download - click here.
