Intel Delivers Eight-Core Platform for PC Performance Aficionados

Corsair Advances Speed Grades on DDR2 and DDR3 DRAM Product Lines

iPod shuffle Now Priced At $49

abit Announces IP35P Motherboard

Toshiba Discontinues HD DVD Businesses

Intel Delivers Eight-Core Platform for PC Performance Aficionados

For those who crave more performance than what four processing cores and a single graphics card can deliver today, Intel Corporation has introduced the Intel Dual Socket Extreme Desktop Platform. Formerly codenamed "Skulltrail," this is one of the first enthusiast desktop platforms to support two Intel quad core processors for a total of eight processing engines and a choice of multi-card graphics solutions from either ATI or NVIDIA.

The Intel Desktop Board D5400XS, when paired with two Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9775 processors, forms the foundation of the Intel Dual Socket Extreme Desktop Platform. Each Intel Core 2 Extreme processor QX9775 offers 12MB of L2 cache, a fast 1600 MHz system bus and four cores running at a brisk 3.2 GHz. For experienced enthusiasts who desire more capability, the Intel Core 2 Extreme processor bus ratio locks (overspeed protection) have been removed. This offers added technical flexibility in customizing the system so OEMs can unleash even more performance.

The Intel Core 2 Extreme processor QX9775 is available now at an MSRP of $1,499 each. Estimated street pricing for the Intel Desktop Board D5400XS is $649. Platform components are sold separately. Several enthusiast PC manufacturers plan to offer systems based on this new platform starting today and over the next 30 days, including Armari, Boxx Tech, Digital Storm, Falcon Northwest, Maingear, Puget Systems, Scan, Velocity Micro, Vigor Gaming, Voodoo, @Xi Computers and others.

Source: Intel

Corsair Advances Speed Grades on DDR2 and DDR3 DRAM Product Lines

Corsair announced today that new record breaking speeds have been achieved within the Corsair DDR2 and DDR3 lines of DRAM memory. Available by the end of February, two new Corsair 4GB DDR2 module speed grades are being offered for high-performance enthusiast users: Corsair 1066MHz (PC2-8500) and 1142MHz (PC2-9136) 4GB memory kits (2X2GB). The new memory modules utilize Corsair's patented DHX technology, which employs a specially designed quadruple heat sink to dissipate heat through both convection and conductive methods.

The new modules from the DOMINATOR line will be available in 2GB configurations and are expected to be available this quarter.

Source: Corsair

iPod shuffle Now Priced At $49

Apple today announced that its iPod shuffle is now even more affordably priced at $49 and that it is introducing a new 2GB model of the iPod shuffle for $69. The popular iPod shuffle is just half a cubic inch in volume, weighs just half an ounce, features an aluminum design with a built-in clip and comes in five colors—silver, blue, green, purple and a red special edition.

The new 1GB iPod shuffle is available immediately for a suggested retail price of $49 (US). The 2GB iPod shuffle will be available later this month for a suggested retail price of $69 (US). iPod shuffle requires a Mac with a USB 2.0 port, Mac OS X 10.4.8 or later and iTunes 7.4; or a Windows PC with a USB 2.0 port and Windows Vista or Windows XP Home or Professional (Service Pack 2) or later and iTunes 7.4 or later.

Source: Apple

abit Announces IP35P Motherboard

abit launched the new IP35P motherboard based on Intel P35 chipset. It supports Intel Core 2 Extreme/Quad/Duo, Pentium Dual-Core, Celeron Dual Core processors. Besides the current 65nm processors, it is ready for the next generation 45nm processors with FSBs up to 1333 MHz. The IP35P supports max memory capacity up to 8GB and supports DDR2 frequencies up to 1066 MHz. Additionally, it features high-definition audio codec, PCI-EX16, PCI-EX1, and 3 x PCI-E slots.

Other features of this novelty include abit SoftMenu (BIOS-based interface that provides direct access to all major system parameters) and EZ CCMOS switch that allows to clear CMOS memory directly from the back panel.

Specifications:

• CPU Support: Intel Core2 Extreme/Quad/Duo, Pentium Dual-Core, Celeron Dual-Core Processors
• System Bus: 1333/1066/800MHz FSB
• Chipset: Intel P35/ICH9
• Expansion Slots: 1 x PCI-Ex16, 2 x PCI-Ex1, 3 x PCI
• LAN: Gigabit LAN
• Memory: 4 x 240-pin DIMM sockets, up to 8GB; dual-channel DDR2-1066OC/800
• SATA: 4 x SATA 3Gbps through Intel ICH9
• Audio 7.1-Channel HD
• RoHS 100% lead-free process and RoHS Compliant
• Product page

Source: abit

Toshiba Discontinues HD DVD Businesses

Toshiba Corporation today announced that it has undertaken a thorough review of its overall strategy for HD DVD and has decided it will no longer develop, manufacture and market HD DVD players and recorders. This decision has been made following recent major changes in the market. Toshiba will continue, however, to provide full product support and after-sales service for all owners of Toshiba HD DVD products.

HD DVD was developed to offer consumers access at an affordable price to high-quality, high definition content and prepare them for the digital convergence of tomorrow where the fusion of consumer electronics and IT will continue to progress.

"We carefully assessed the long-term impact of continuing the so-called 'next-generation format war' and concluded that a swift decision will best help the market develop," said Atsutoshi Nishida, President and CEO of Toshiba Corporation. "While we are disappointed for the company and more importantly, for the consumer, the real mass market opportunity for high definition content remains untapped and Toshiba is both able and determined to use our talent, technology and intellectual property to make digital convergence a reality."

According to the press release, Toshiba will continue to develop a wide range of technologies that will drive mass market access to high definition content. These include high capacity NAND flash memory, small form factor hard disk drives, next generation CPUs, visual processing, and wireless and encryption technologies. The company expects to make forthcoming announcements around strategic progress in these convergence technologies.

Toshiba will begin to reduce shipments of HD DVD players and recorders to retail channels, aiming for cessation of these businesses by the end of March 2008. Toshiba also plans to end volume production of HD DVD disk drives for such applications as PCs and games in the same timeframe, yet will continue to make efforts to meet customer requirements. The company will continue to assess the position of notebook PCs with integrated HD DVD drives within the overall PC business relative to future market demand.

This decision will not impact on Toshiba's commitment to standard DVD, and the company will continue to market conventional DVD players and recorders. Toshiba intends to continue to contribute to the development of the DVD industry, as a member of the DVD Forum, an international organization with some 200 member companies, committed to the discussion and defining of optimum optical disc formats for the consumer and the related industries.

Toshiba also intends to maintain collaborative relations with the companies who joined with Toshiba in working to build up the HD DVD market, including Universal Studios, Paramount Pictures, and DreamWorks Animation and major Japanese and European content providers on the entertainment side, as well as leaders in the IT industry, including Microsoft, Intel, and HP. Toshiba will study possible collaboration with these companies for future business opportunities, utilizing the many assets generated through the development of HD DVD.

Source: Toshiba Corporation

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