BFG Announces Factory Overclocked GeForce GTX 260 OC2 And OCX

RightMark Audio Analyzer Updated To v6.1.1

AMD Chipset Roadmap For 2009

Daily Mailbox

More ASUS Eee PCs Arrive: Eee PC 903, Eee PC 904 And Eee PC 905

Scythe Introduces Kama Panel 2

Nikon Releases D700, Its Second Full-Frame DSLR

BFG Announces Factory Overclocked GeForce GTX 260 OC2 And OCX

BFG Technologies announced the BFG GeForce GTX 260 OC2 and the BFG GeForce GTX 260 OCX factory overclocked graphics cards.

All right, now we have three cards that compete for the title of the fastest GTX 260 solution: XFX GX-260N-ADD9 (640/2,300 MHz), Zotac GeForce GTX 260 AMP! Edition (650/2,100 MHz), and BFG GeForce GTX 260 OCX:

• Memory: 896MB GDDR3
• Core Clock: 655MHz (vs. 576MHz standard)
• Shader Clock: 1,404MHz (vs. 1,242MHz standard)
• Memory Data Rate: 2,250MHz (vs. 1,998MHz standard)

The second announced solution, BFG GeForce GTX 260 OC2, offers lower clock rates, which are still high enough:

• Memory: 896MB GDDR3
• Core Clock: 630MHz (vs. 576MHz standard)
• Shader Clock: 1,350MHz (vs. 1,242MHz standard)
• Memory Data Rate: 2,126MHz (vs. 1,998MHz standard)

The BFG GeForce GTX 260 OC2 and BFG GeForce GTX 260 OCX will be available throughout North America and Europe beginning the week of July 7, 2008.

If you live in North America, you are eligible for the BFG Trade Up program: within 100 days of purchase, the BFG GeForce GTX 260 OC2 and BFG GeForce GTX 260 OCX graphics cards can be traded up to a BFG graphics card of greater performance and price, and the customer only pays the difference in price, plus applicable taxes and shipping.

Source: BFG Technologies

RightMark Audio Analyzer Updated To v6.1.1

What's new in RMAA 6.1.1:

• Completed the first stage of Intel IPP DSP library implementation (commercial license, multi-core and SSE/SSE2/SSE3 performance optimizations);
• Fixed possible inaccuracy in ASIO noise level test (RMAA PRO).

As usual the freeware version is available at the official website.

The RMAA 6.1.1 PRO is also available with a number of features not present in the freeware version. Updates from any older 6 PRO version are free.

RMAA PRO features:

• ASIO support;
• ASIO diagnostics: supported frequencies, buffer sizes, channels);
• Kernel Streaming support (bypass Windows KMixer);
• Capability to choose any inputs and outputs for ASIO tests;
• Cross-API testing (MME, DirectSound, KS, ASIO);
• Other options, including new test parameters.

AMD Chipset Roadmap For 2009

Our colleagues from Chile Hardware posted information on AMD's official chipset roadmap for 2009.

It includes new RD890 and RS880 chipsets, both of which utilize DDR3 memory, as well as the new SB800 Southbridge.

Source: CHW

Daily Mailbox

• BIOS: Sony DSC-W130 Digital Camera
• AXP 2.5/3.5-inch SATA to eSATA and USB Dock @ techPowerUp
• bit-tech: Top Spin 3 review
• Samsung CLP-610ND Color Laser Printer Review @ Tweaknews.net
• Futurelooks - Thermaltake DuOrb CPU Cooler Review
• AMD Phenom X4 9350e and 9150e @ MadBoxPC
• SilenX iXtrema IXC-12HA2 CPU Cooler Review @ ThinkComputers.org
• QNAP TS-209 Pro Gigabit SATA NAS @ Benchmark Reviews
• AMD Phenom X4 9350e and 9950 Black Edition Debut @ HotHardware
• Razer Lycosa reviewed at BurnOutPC
• Samsung MCBQE32G5MPP 2.5" 32GB SSD @ TweakTown
• Gigabyte GA-MA790FX-DS5 @ Neoseeker
• Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W300 Review @ Digital Trends
• XFX GTX 280 XXX Edition Review in Metkumods
• I4U: Maximo iP-HS1 iMetal iPhone Headset Review
• Kingston Technologies DataTraveler HyperX 4GB @ TechwareLabs
• OCZ EliteXstream 800w Review @ DriverHeaven
• [Tech ARP] Foxconn BlackOps Tech Report
• Intel Core2Duo E8400 overclocking guide @ Hardwareoverclock Austria
• Zalman Reserator XT Liquid Cooling System Review @ HardwareLogic
• Overclock3D: Asus HD4850 512mb PCI-E Graphics Card EAH4850Sapphire Radeon HD 3870 Ultimate Review @ ASE Labs
• Mushkin XP2-6400 4GB DDR2 Memory Review on Technic3D
• HEXUS.channel :: AMD GPU sales VP says "At last we’re making a dent in NVIDIA"
• ASUS P5Q3 Deluxe WiFi-AP@n @ t-break
• HomeMedia : Quel processeur pour la HD ?
• SilenX IXTREMA Pro IXC-120HA2 @ Bjorn3D
• ASUS Maximus II Formula motherboard review @ Elite Bastards
• ASUS VW223B 22-inch monitor @ gadget zone
• OCZ 800w EliteXStream Power Supply Review @ Virtual-Hideout
• Metal Gear Solid 4 Guns of the Patriots PS3 Review @ Gamepyre
• ASRock X48TurboTwins-WiFi Motherboard Review @ Hardware Canucks
• A Refreshed Look at 3 Series Crossfire @ OCIA.net
• HP Compaq 8710w @ InsideHW
• Run Linux in Windows @ PC Review
• Monster Cable Outlets To Go 3 with USB Reviewed @ DragonSteelMods
• Vantec NexStar MX Dual Drive Enclosure Review @ OCModShop

More ASUS Eee PCs Arrive: Eee PC 903, Eee PC 904 And Eee PC 905

After the announcement of the initial Eee PC 701, the world saw an abundance of Eee PC models that evolved (or rather were marketed) into a separate Eee family. Aside from Eee PC 701, we already know of Eee PC 900, Eee PC 901, Eee PC 1000 and Eee PC 1000 (H).

But it seems ASUS is going to continue. According to the sources, the company has three more products, which are very similar to Eee notebooks we have already seen: Eee PC 903, Eee PC 904 and Eee PC 905. As you can see, there's still a lot of numbers to go from Eee PC 900 to Eee PC 1000. :)

The "novelties" are based on the same Intel Atom and feature 8.9-inch displays with the same thick borders.

The key difference is that new notebooks utilize enclosures of Eee PC 1000, i.e. have larger keyboards.

As for batteries and "memory capacity" (it's not clear whether RAM or HDD is meant), ASUS hasn't yet decided whether to change existing configurations or not.

Eee PC 904 and 905 are expected to be sold for prices similar to those of Eee PC 900 and 901, so the newer couple can gradually replace the older.

Sources: Engadget, Flickr, Eee PC news, DigiTimes

Scythe Introduces Kama Panel 2

Scythe introduced the new Kama Panel 2 multi-purpose panel to be mounted into 5.25-inch bay.

Kama Panel 2 offers a card reader (reads micro SD cards w/o adapters), USB2.0 and IEEE1394 connected to motherboard headers. The panel can be used to control 6 fans and even has a place for a slim optical drive.

The novelty is available in two colors: black (SCKMPN-2000-BK) and silver (SCKMPN-2000-SL). Sized 148 x 42 x 90 mm, Kama Panel 2 has the following front panel interfaces:

• 2 x USB
• 1 x SATA data
• 1 x SATA power
• 1 x Line-In
• 1 x Mic-In
• 1 x Audio-Out
• 1 x IEEE1394

The panel works with Windows 2000/XP/Vista. The list of supported flash media includes: SD Card, miniSD Card, SDHC Card, micro SD Card, MMC Card, RS-MMC Card, Compact Flash, Micro Drive, xD Card, Memory Stick (including PRO, DUO, PRO-DUO).

Scythe Kama Panel 2 costs 39.80 USD.

Source: Scythe

Nikon Releases D700, Its Second Full-Frame DSLR

The release of the long-anticipated Nikon D700 marks the coming of full-frame image sensors (FX) to Nikon's prosumer segment. Looking very similar to Nikon's another full-frame offering, D3, the novelty, according to its name is positioned closer to D300 that features an DX sensor (with x1.5 crop factor).

The similarity to D3 is not purely outward. The novelty features the same 12.1-Mp CMOS sensor and EXPEED processor. In other words, we can expect similar image quality produced by these two cameras.

The most noticeable differences are related to the shutter (guaranteed 150,000 shots vs. D3's 300,000 shots), viewfinder (95% coverage), and slightly lower burst speed (5 fps; 8 fps with MB-D10 battery unit and EN-EL4a battery). Besides, D700 features only 1 CF slot instead of 2. New features include dust reduction system and built-in flash.

Other features of the D700:

• ISO 200-6400 expandable to ISO 100 (equiv.) - 25600 (equiv.);
• 16-bit EXPEED image processor with 14-bit ADC;
• Improved scene recognition system that combines exposure meter and AF sensors;
• 51-point AF, Multi-CAM3500FX, three Dynamic AF modes: 9-, 21- and 51-point;
• Color control with 9 customizable settings and 4 preset options;
• 3-inch LCD, 920,000 pixels, 170-degree viewing angles;
• AF Live View, hand-held and tripod modes;
• DX framing mode supported automatically with DX lenses;
• 40ms shutter lag;
• Active D-Lighting three-phase dynamic control to capture previously lost details in shadows and highlights while maintaining normalized contrast;
• HDMI interface;
• Dust-/dampproof magnesium alloy body;
• 147 x 123 x 77 mm dimensions;
• 995 g weight w/o battery, memory card, lens cap and LCD cap;
• Priced at 3,000 USD.

Source: Nikon

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