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Computex 2011: Thermaltake Showcases Frio Extreme CPU Cooler, Toughpower XT Power Supplies

Computex 2011: Microsoft Previews Windows 8

Micron Announces Its Fastest Enterprise Solid-State Storage System

Computex 2011: Leadtek Introduces AMOR8218 Android-Based Video Phone

Kingston Digital Announces Wi-Drive For Apple Devices

Computex 2011: AMD Unveils 990FX, 990X, 970 Chipsets



Computex 2011: Thermaltake Showcases Frio Extreme CPU Cooler, Toughpower XT Power Supplies

At Computex 2011 Thermaltake is presenting a new model in the Frio series of CPU coolers. The new Frio Extreme has a maximum cooling capacity of up to 250W and is intended for overclockers and enthusiasts. It comes with six 6-mm heatpipes and two 140-mm fans 1200 to 1800 rpm).



An additional OC fan is included in the package as well. The novelty is compatible with the Intel LGA1366, LGA155, LGA 1156, LGA775 and AMD AM2, AM2+ and AM3 sockets.

The company is also showcasing a number of Toughpower XT PSUs. In particular, 1375W and 1475W models are 80 PLUS Gold certified, and the 1275W model is 80 PLUS Platinum certified.



Some of the features of new PSUs include:

  • S.P.T. indicator indicates standby mode, power and temperature of the PSU.
  • FanDelayCool enables the 14-cm fan to keep running 15-30 seconds after system shuts down to prolong the life of PSU components.
  • High-quality 105°C / 221°F Japanese solid-state capacitors for improved stability and reliability.
  • Full bridge & LLC resonance circuitry for improved stable performance & reliability.
  • Heavy-gauge 16 AWG High-Current cable

Source: Thermaltake


Computex 2011: Microsoft Previews Windows 8

At Computex 2011 Microsoft showed hardware partners the next version of Windows, internally codenamed 'Windows 8.' As part of this technical preview, it was demonstrated how Windows 8 is optimized for newer touch-centric hardware, including tablets.

The technical demonstration also highlighted the new operating system's ability to work across both x86 and ARM-based architectures, with a variety of early prototypes shown running the new operating system. Microsoft and silicon chip makers AMD, Intel, NVIDIA, Qualcomm and Texas Instruments initially announced plans in January to work together on the next version of Windows.



The new user experience also extends to how applications will run on Windows 8, with controls naturally fitting into the device experience. Developers also will be able to use common Web technologies, such as HTML5 and JavaScript, to create applications for the PC, further easing integration and adoption.

Source: Microsoft

Micron Announces Its Fastest Enterprise Solid-State Storage System

Micron Technology today announced a new portfolio of PCI Express solid-state storage systems, RealSSD P320h. This series delivers improved performance and endurance demanded by data-intensive enterprise applications including cloud computing, high-performance computing, data analytics, business intelligence, and video on demand.



The P320h system uses Micron's 34-nanometer single-level cell (SLC) NAND flash memory technology, which provides two different user capacities: 350GB and 700GB. From the NAND silicon to the controller to the complete system solution, the P320h SSD is designed and developed by Micron.

In terms of performance, the P320h series is said to more than double the sequential read and write speeds compared to the nearest competitor, achieving up to 3GBs of sustained data throughput per second. In terms of input/output operations per second (IOPS), a common method used in the enterprise market for benchmarking relative performance, the P320h series reaches a maximum of 750K IOPS read and 341K IOPS write speeds. A P320h drive (working in a cloud media streaming application) should be able to serve data fast enough to feed 1500 simultaneous individual HD video streams.

The P320h features Micron's proprietary redundant array of independent NAND (RAIN) management technology that is designed to ensure enterprise-class data protection by replicating data across the NAND flash memory channels. The P320h drive also provides enterprise-class levels of endurance with the 700GB drive able to write 28 terabytes of data every day for five years.

The first products in Micron's P320h series will be available in a full height, half-length form factor, measuring 111.15mm wide x 167.65mm long x 14.47mm thick. Micron has additional PCIe form factors under development to be introduced later this year. Micron is now delivering early samples of the P320h, with mass production expected to begin in the third quarter.

Source: Micron Technology


Computex 2011: Leadtek Introduces AMOR8218 Android-Based Video Phone

Leadtek introduced its first Android-based multimedia smartphone/tablet AMOR8218 at Computex 2011. It includes a portable Android tablet, DECT wireless handset, and a docking base unit.



The Android tablet features a 7" high resolution multi-touch display and built-in high-capacity battery. Wireless connectivity enables independent operation of the tablet from the docking base (the tablet can be charged while docked in the base unit). The Bluetooth interface connects to headsets, microphones, and other peripherals, while the base unit includes a HDMI port to output multimedia to a high-definition display. The DECT wireless handset can also be used indoors for making cordless telephone calls. The docking unit also functions as a wireless access point for sharing broadband connectivity (from RJ45 port) to other devices in the home. The built-in RJ11 port can be used for PSTN telephony services.

AMOR8218 even supports the ZigBee specification to connect to a wireless sensor network for home automation purposes. Also the USB interface can be used as a battery charger or data transmission port for external devices.

Source: Leadtek


Kingston Digital Announces Wi-Drive For Apple Devices

Kingston Digital announced Wi-Drive built to address the storage needs of Apple iPad, iPhone and iPod touch users.

Wi-Drive, along with its app from the App Store, allows users to stream videos, access music or share files with other Apple device owners. Three users can work simultaneously with different file types from a single Wi-Drive without any performance disruption.

To begin using Wi-Drive with any of the compatible Apple products, users simply drag and drop files from their PC to Wi-Drive via USB cable, similar to a typical USB Flash drive data transfer. Users then download the Wi-Drive application from the App Store before connecting the Wi-Drive to their device.

Features and specifications:

  • Capacities: 16GB, 32GB
  • Dimensions: 121.5mm x 61.8mm x 9.8mm
  • Operating Temperature: 32°F to 122°F (0°C to 50°C)
  • Storage Temperature: 14°F to 185°F (-10°C to 70°C)
  • Wireless Network Interface: Wi-Fi 802.11g/n with wireless security (WPA/WEP)
  • Rechargeable Battery: up to four hours of continuous use
  • Cable: Mini-USB to USB cable included. User can upload files and content from their PC/Mac to the Wi-Drive using the USB cable
  • Warranty: 1 year
  • Compatible with: iPad, iPhone 3G/3GS/4, iPod touch (3G is limited to iOS 4.2.1+)
  • Configurable: APN (access point name) and Key functions to connect to Wireless Access Point (Internet Connection)
  • Supported File Formats: AAC, MP3, WAV, m4v, mp4, mov, Motion JPEG (M-JPEG), AVI, JPG, BMP, TIFF, doc, docx, ppt, pptx, txt, rtf, xls

Kingston offers Wi-Drive in both 16GB (WID/16GZ, $129.99) and 32GB (WID/32GZ, $174.99) sizes and the product will be available for purchase in late June 2011.

Source: Kingston Digital


Computex 2011: AMD Unveils 990FX, 990X, 970 Chipsets

AMD launched its 9-series chipset lineup, including the 990FX, 990X, 970 models, a key component of AMD's next generation Scorpius desktop platform, which will also feature the 8-core Zambezi processor and AMD Radeon HD6000 series discrete graphics cards. The company also unveiled its 2011 HD Tablet Platform based on the AMD Z-Series APU.



The 9-series chipsets are the first to support the AMD AM3+ socket processors, while incorporating AM3 socket backwards compatibility. These boards support AMD CrossFireX technology, which allows up to four AMD Radeon GPUs to co-process. In addition, these chipsets support clock rate management through AMD OverDrive software. Additionally, the 9-series chipset lineup features up to six SATA 3.0 6Gbps hard drive interface ports, Gigabit Ethernet, HyperTransport 3.0 technology, and PCI Express 2.0.

Speaking of the 2011 HD Tablet Platform, in addition to integration with operating systems like Windows, it offers support for HTML 5, Adobe Flash 10.2 and external monitors. It also offers enterprise-level security.

Now I'll list some actual motherboards based on the new chipsets.

ASUS: Crosshair V Formula, SABERTOOTH 990FX (990FX + SB950), M5A99X EVO (990X + SB950).



SABERTOOTH 990FX

Gigabyte: GA-990FXA-D3, GA-990FXA-UD3, GA-990FXA-UD5, GA-990FXA-UD7 (990FX + SB950), GA-990XA-UD3 (990X + SB950), GA-970A-D3, GA-970A-UD3 (970 + SB950). And here is a large comparative table for your convenience.



GA-990FXA-UD7

MSI: 990FXA-GD80, 990FXA-GD65 (990FX + SB950).



990FXA-GD80

ECS: A990FXM-A (990FX + SB950).



A990FXM-A

Source: AMD, ASUS, Gigabyte, MSI, ECS


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