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· Intel Introduces Itanium 9300 Processor

· ATI Unveils Radeon HD 5570 Graphics Card

· Microsoft Launches SideWinder X4 Keyboard With Advanced Anti-Ghosting Technology

· Intel, Micron Introduce 25nm NAND

· Daily Mailbox

· Transcend Releases 4GB, 8GB DDR3 RDIMMs For Cloud Computing and Server Applications

· BenQ Unveils Two 15.6-inch LED Displays



Intel Introduces Itanium 9300 Processor

Intel Corporation yesterday introduced the Itanium processor 9300 series, previously codenamed "Tukwila," which delivers more than double the performance of its predecessor, boosts scalability and adds reliability features to the Itanium platform.

The two-billion transistor Itanium processor 9300 series has twice as many cores as its predecessor (four versus two), eight threads per processor (through enhanced Intel Hyper-Threading Technology), more cache, up to 800 percent the interconnect bandwidth, up to 500 percent the memory bandwidth, and up to 700 percent the memory capacity using-industry standard DDR3 components.

The Itanium processor 9300 series adds to the architecture's world-class resiliency with new reliability, availability, and serviceability (RAS) features that extend across the processor, its Intel QuickPath Interconnect technology, and the memory subsystem.

The processor's advanced machine-check architecture coordinates error handling across the hardware, firmware and operating system, and improves system availability by enabling recovery from otherwise fatal errors.

The Itanium 9300 processor employs the second generation of Intel Virtualization Technology to improve performance and robustness. Its Intel 7500 chipset can directly assign I/O devices to virtual machines, further boosting efficiency.

OEM systems based on the Intel Itanium processor 9300 series will be binary-compatible with existing software and can provide major performance improvements without the need for additional software optimization.

"Poulson," codename for the next Itanium processor, will add an advanced multi-core architecture, instruction-level and hyper-threading enhancements, new reliability features and more.

Future Intel Itanium processors in development today are being designed for socket and binary compatibility with Intel Itanium 9300 processor-based systems and software. They are designed to scale in performance and capacity through component upgrades, without software recompilation, so customers can continue to expand and adapt their mission-critical computing systems.

The Itanium 9300 processor series and the future Intel Xeon processor, codenamed "Nehalem EX," share several platform ingredients, including the Intel QuickPath Interconnect, the Intel Scalable Memory Interconnect, the Intel 7500 Scalable Memory Buffer (to take advantage of industry standard DDR3 memory), and I/O hub (Intel 7500 chipset). The common elements foster shared innovation, design synergy, and manufacturing efficiency across Intel Xeon and Itanium processor families, and flexibility for customers.

An enhanced form of Demand-Based Switching (DBS) lowers power consumption when utilization is low. Intel Turbo Boost Technology automatically senses and adapts to provide the right performance boost when needed, and to conserve power when it is not. The Intel Itanium processor 9300 series ranges in price from $946 to $3,838 in quantities of 1,000. OEM systems are expected to ship within 90 days.

Source: Intel Corporation



ATI Unveils Radeon HD 5570 Graphics Card

Today AMD unveiled the new ATI Radeon HD 5570 graphics card, also with DirectX 11 support. The company believes this novelty should be in demand among owners or builders of compact PCs.



Along with DirectX 11, the card supports ATI Eyefinity (simultaneous output to up to three display) and ATI Stream. It also can play Full HD 1080p content.

The Radeon HD 5570 graphics card features 400 stream processors, 650 MHz GPU core, 128-bit bus, 512MB/1GB of memory clocked at 900 MHz. Having an active cooler, the card still occupies a single slot in a PC enclosure. Finally, the street price is about $80.



Speaking of multimedia features, ATI Radeon HD 5570 doesn't yield to the higher-end ATI Radeon HD 5870, featuring HDMI 1.3a with support for Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio.

Considering the aforesaid, Radeon HD 5570 is one step lower than Radeon HD 5670, thus being a very attractive alternative to the entry-level Radeon HD 5450 that debuted last week. Being 60% as expensive as HD 5450, HD 5570 offers three times the performance.

Source: AMD




Microsoft Launches SideWinder X4 Keyboard With Advanced Anti-Ghosting Technology

Microsoft Hardware launched the SideWinder X4 Keyboard featuring company's most advanced anti-ghosting technology. Developed by the Applied Sciences Group, this new technology ensures gamers' most complex key combinations will be recognized by the computer to keep the game in action. The new keyboard also supports macro recording, mode and profile switching, and adjustable backlighting.



The advanced technology allows gamers to press up to 26 keys at once. Because each key is scanned independently by the keyboard hardware, each key press is correctly detected regardless of how many other keys are being pressed at the same time.

The SideWinder X4 Keyboard also offers more of the features gamers need to stay at the top of their game. Macro recording lets them string together multiple moves into one press of a button, and the new automatic macro repetition feature lets them repeat the macro over and over as needed with one key. Mode and profile switching also provides easy ways to customize the keyboard for different games and users while adjustable backlighting lets gamers select the lighting level that meets their needs.

The SideWinder X4 Keyboard will be available in March 2010 for the estimated retail price of $59.95 and will be available for pre-sale on Amazon.com later this week. The SideWinder X4 Keyboard is backed by a worldwide three-year limited hardware warranty.

Source: Microsoft



Intel, Micron Introduce 25nm NAND

Intel Corporation and Micron Technology today announced the world's first 25nm NAND technology, which provides a more cost-effective path for increasing storage capacity in such popular consumer gadgets as smartphones, personal music and media players (PMPs), as well as the new high-performance class of solid-state drives (SSDs).



Manufactured by IM Flash Technologies (IMFT), Intel and Micron's NAND flash joint venture, the 25nm process produces 8GB of storage in a single NAND device, creating a high-capacity storage solution for today's tiny consumer gadgets. It measures just 167mm2 -- small enough to fit through the hole in the middle of a CD, yet packs more than 10 times the data capacity of that CD.

The 25nm, 8GB device is sampling now and is expected to enter mass production in the second quarter of 2010. For consumer electronics manufacturers, the device provides the highest-density in a single 2 bits-per-cell MLC die that will fit a thin small-outline package (TSOP). Multiple 8GB devices can be stacked in a package to increase storage capacity. The new 25nm 8GB device reduces chip count by 50 percent compared to previous process generations, allowing for smaller, yet higher density designs and greater cost efficiencies. For example, a 256GB solid-state drive (SSD) can now be enabled with just 32 of these devices (versus 64 previously), a 32GB smartphone needs just four, and a 16GB flash card requires only two.

Source: Intel Corporation



Daily Mailbox

  • OCZ Vertex 2 Pro, Sandforce Powered SSD Preview @ HotHardware
  • Star Trek Online (PC) Review @ GamingHeaven.net
  • OverclockersHQ - i5 661 Build Part Three Asrock H55M
  • ECS GeForce GT 240 512MB GDDR5 HDMI Video Card Review @ Legit Reviews
  • MSI Radeon HD 5670 1GB Video Card in CrossFire @ TweakTown
  • Airlive WL-2000CAM Wireless IP Camera @ TestFreaks
  • Jetway NC63-330-LF Mini ITX Motherboard Unboxing Video @ eTeknix
  • SanDisk’s Sansa Fuze 8GB @ t-break
  • OCZ 4GB DDR3 PC3-15000 Platinum Low Voltage Dual Channel memory kit review @ Elite Bastards
  • Synology DS-210J Two-Bay NAS Review @ Tweaknews
  • Intel Clarkdale CPU Overclocking With IGP Enabled - Reaching High BCLK @ Madshrimps
  • 5 Things to Make Final Fantasy XIII Not Suck @ OCModShop
  • Windows 7 System Image Disc Recovery @ Benchmark Reviews
  • Corsair Dominator GTX2 PC3-18000 CL8 Memory Review @ Hardware Canucks
  • [Tech ARP] x264 HD Benchmark 3.11
  • ioSafe Solo 500GB Rugged USB External Hard Drive @ Technoyard
  • MSI R5670 @ HT4U.net
  • ASUS P7H55D-M EVO & Intel DH55TC @ Techgage
  • Gigabyte GA-P55-UD6 Intel P55 Motherboard Review @ PCSTATS
  • Asus UL50-V Laptop @ Rbmods
  • Vantec NexStar TX NST-210S2-BK @ techPowerUp
  • AMD Phenom II X4 910e CPU @ TechwareLabs
  • Lian Li PC-A70F Big Tower Computer Case Review @ TweakPC.de
  • Core i3: The Most Affordable Nehalem @ InsideHW
  • Sapphire 5770 Vapor X @ Bjorn3D
  • AXUS FiT500E 5 Bay SATA Enclosure Review @ OzHardware
  • Thermaltake DuOrb VGA Cooler @ Bona Fide Reviews
  • Mionix Keid 20 Headphones reviewed in Metku.net
  • Thermalright Spitfire VGA Cooler @ PCShopTalk
  • NZXT Hades Crafted Mid-Tower Case Review @ OCIA.net
  • Silverstone NT07-AM2 1U Low Profile AMD Heatsink Review @ Frostytech
  • SilverStone Strider Plus ST75F-P 750W report @ APH Networks
  • Cooler Master HAF 932 AMD Limited Edition Case Review @ Bigbruin



Transcend Releases 4GB, 8GB DDR3 RDIMMs For Cloud Computing and Server Applications

Transcend Information announced 8GB DDR3-1066 Registered DIMM (RDIMM) and 4GB DDR3-1333 VLP (Very Low Profile) RDIMM modules. Featuring enhanced capacity, support for triple-channel memory configurations, and an onboard thermal sensor, these new high-density RDIMMs provide for higher data frequencies and significantly increase memory space.

  • P/N: TS1GKR72V1N, 8GB, 1066MHz DDR3 REG DIMM (Quad Rank, x8) with thermal sensor.
  • P/N: TS512MKR72V3NL, 4GB, 1333MHz DDR3 VLP REG DIMM (Dual Rank, x8) with thermal sensor.


As Transcend's highest density DDR3 module, the 8GB DDR3-1066 RDIMM is constructed with a ten-layer PCB that offers stable performance and durability, and also includes a high thermal efficiency aluminum heatsink. Offering memory bandwidth up to 8.5GB/s and the flexibility to expand maximum capacity to 48GB (per processor), the 8GB DDR3-1066 RDIMM module allows administrators to create a robust infrastructure that runs memory-intensive applications such as virtualization and cloud computing with ease.

Transcend's 4GB DDR3-1333 VLP RDIMM is 0.74-inch high -- compact enough to fit into space-restricted cases, 1U height rack systems or blade servers. When used with the triple-channel architecture built into Intel's newest Nehalem-based Xeon server platforms, Transcend's DDR3-1333 VLP RDIMMs enable system administrators to maximize memory bandwidth, providing up to 10.6GB/s throughput.

All of Transcend's DDR3-1333/1066 RDIMMs fully comply with JEDEC standards and are made of 256Mx8 high-quality DDR3 FBGA chips. The modules are backed by Transcend's lifetime warranty.

Source: Transcend Information



BenQ Unveils Two 15.6-inch LED Displays

BenQ introduced the new 15.6-inch G610HDAL and G610HDPL LED displays. Featuring LED backlit screens in 16:9 aspect ratio, proprietary Senseye Human Vision Technology, and a 5M:1 dynamic contrast ratio, the new 15.6-inch models are an affordable, lighter, and greener upgrade choice for home, SOHO, SMB, and education users.



Users will find the 220-nit G610HDPL and 250-nit G610HDAL a good choice when it comes to viewing comfort. Differentiating from CCFL, LED is a stable light source without flicker, meaning long-term viewing of documents, still images, video, Internet or any content is easier and more comfortable for eyes. And, unlike CCFL, LED technology enables both G610HDPL/AL models to instantly display content when powered up. The G610HDPL is differentiated by a glare panel.



The G610HDPL/AL models extend their sensible engineering to include environmental responsibility. Energy-efficiency means 73.6% (G610HDPL) and 62.7% (G610HDAL) power savings over comparably-sized CCFL models. The new displays also meet the requirements of RoHS, Energy STAR 5.0 and EuP Energy.

The G610HDPL and G610HDAL debut in Latin America and the Middle East.

Specifications:

  • LCD size: 15.6", 39.6cm
  • Product color: black
  • Max. resolution: 1366x768
  • Pixel pitch: 0.252 mm
  • Brightness: 250 cd/m² (G610HDAL), 220 cd/m² (G610HDPL)
  • Contrast ratio: 500:1 (G610HDAL), 600:1 (G610HDPL)
  • Response time: 8ms
  • Display area: 344.23x193.54 mm
  • Viewing angle: 90/65 L/R;U/D CR>=10 (G610HDAL), 90/55 L/R;U/D CR>=10 (G610HDPL)
  • Input signals: D-sub
  • Horizontal frequency: 30~63 KHz
  • Vertical frequency: 50~76 Hz
  • Video bandwidth: 110 MHz
  • K locker: yes
  • Power consumption: 15.5W max (G610HDAL), 15.5W max (G610HDPL)
  • Power saving mode: <1W
  • Aspec ratio: 16:9
  • Adjustments: tilt -5/20 down/up
  • Dimensions: 300.45x377.8x146 mm
  • Weight: 2.35 kg
  • Power supply: built-in
  • OSD languages: 17
  • Vista certification: basic
  • Windows 7 compatibility: yes
  • Senseye: Senseye 3

Source: BenQ




Daily Mailbox

  • ATI Radeon HD 5670 Review @ TechSpot
  • SilverStone Strider Plus ST75F-P 750W report @ APH Networks
  • 24GB of DDR3 and Windows 7 @ BCCHardware
  • PowerColor Radeon HD5850 PCS+ Video Card @ Benchmark Reviews
  • ATI Radeon HD 5670 512MB Video Card @ TweakTown
  • Zalman CNPS10X Flex CPU Cooler Review @ Hardware Canucks
  • Thermaltake Toughpower XT 750w @ LanOC Reviews
  • HIS Radeon HD 5770 Videocard Review @ Tweaknews
  • Thecus N4100PRO: A Data-Treasure Cave @ InsideHW
  • Samsung SCX-5635FN Monochrome Multifunction Printer Review at CCER
  • Patriot Memory Torqx 64GB PFZ64GS25SSDR Solid State Drive @ PCShopTalk
  • Asus Radeon EAH5670 1GB Graphics Card Video Review @ eTeknix
  • Samsung SyncMaster F2380 23-inch 16:9 Widescreen LCD Review @ PCSTATS
  • Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Multiplayer Beta @ NGOHQ
  • TuneUp Utilities 2010 im Test @ PC-Luchs.de
  • [Tech ARP] Microsoft Windows 7 Black Screen Of Death! Rev. 2.0
  • Frostytech Top 5 Heatsink Charts for January @ Frostytech
  • OverclockersHQ - Intel Clarkdale Core i5-661 CPU Review
  • iPad's Identity Crisis and Apple's A4 CPU Showstopper @ HotHardware
  • Firefox 3.6 Performance Test @ TweakPC.de
  • Noctua NH-U12P SE2 CPU Cooler Review @ Legit Reviews
  • Arctic Cooling E361-WM earphones review @ Elite Bastards
  • ASRock ION 330HT with Blu-Ray Review @ HardwareHeaven
  • Noctua NH-C12P SE14 @ Hardwareoverclock
  • iDisappointed in the iPad @ t-break
  • Seagate Barracuda XT 2TB @ Techgage
  • Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus CPU Cooler Review at OverclockersOnline
  • PowerColor PCS+ Radeon HD 5850 @ HT4U.net
  • A-Data T907 Jack Skellington 8GB Flash Drive @ techPowerUp
  • Mionix Keid 20 Gaming Headset @ TestFreaks
  • Dark Void (PC) Game Review on Technic3D
  • ASUS ATI Radeon EAH5850 G 2 DIS Review @ ocaholic
  • Three AMD 785G Motherboards Compared and Overclocked @ Madshrimps
  • Asus P7P55D-E Pro @ Bjorn3D
  • Thermaltake SpinQ VT CPU Cooler Review @ OCIA.net
  • SilverStone Fortress FT02 Case Review @ Motherboards.org
  • NZXT Tempest EVO Case Review @ Rbmods
  • CompuStocx CEC3 4GB DDR3-1333 CSXO-CEC3-1333-4GB-KIT Memory Review @ OCInside.de
  • Powermat Portable Wireless Charging Mat Review @ Bigbruin
  • Silverstone Fortress FT02 System Enclosure Review in Metku.net
  • NZXT IU01 USB Expansion Board @ Bona Fide Reviews
  • AMD Phenom II X2 555 BE & Athlon II X4 635 & X3 440 Processors Reviewed @ EXTREME Overclocking!
  • Review of Prolimatech Mega Shadow cpu cooler @ TestSeek



Super Talent Announces Enterprise Class TeraDrive SSDs

Super Talent Technology announced a new line of TeraDrive SSDs designed specifically for high-end enterprise and database server applications.

The new TeraDrive FT2 is a SATA 3Gbps SSD based on the new advanced SandForce SF-1500 SSD processor. It delivers sequential read and write speeds of up to 250 MB/s which will not degrade over time. It also supports transaction speeds up to 30,000 IOPS, making it a formidable storage solution for database servers where random read and write speeds are critical.



The TeraDrive FT2 offers advanced reliability and endurance with state-of-the-art wear leveling, bad bit management, and ECC with up to 24 bytes correctable per 512-byte sector. TeraDrive FT2 is available with either MLC or SLC NAND flash, and is offered in capacities from 50GB to 400GB.

  • FTM05F225H -- 50GB 2.5" MLC SATA TeraDrive FT2 SSD
  • FTM10F225H -- 100GB 2.5" MLC SATA TeraDrive FT2 SSD
  • FTM20F225H -- 200GB 2.5" MLC SATA TeraDrive FT2 SSD
  • FTM40F225H -- 400GB 2.5" MLC SATA TeraDrive FT2 SSD
  • FTD05F225H -- 50GB 2.5" SLC SATA TeraDrive FT2 SSD
  • FTD10F225H -- 100GB 2.5" SLC SATA TeraDrive FT2 SSD
  • FTD20F225H -- 200GB 2.5" SLC SATA TeraDrive FT2 SSD

MLC and SLC TeraDrive SSDs are available to OEMs directly from Super Talent in sample quantities this month and in volume later in Q1/2010.

Source: Super Talent Technology



Inphi Samples First JEDEC-Compatible Memory Buffer That Enables Load-Reduced DIMMs

Inphi Corporation announced that it is sampling the industry's first JEDEC-compatible memory buffer designed to create a new class of standards-based memory modules –- LRDIMMs, or load-reduced, dual-inline memory modules -- capable of delivering upward of four times the memory capacity and nearly double the bandwidth, while reducing the overall power consumption. Inphi's JEDEC-compatible memory buffer enables data center servers to take better advantage of multicore and virtualization technologies by isolating the CPU from the memory components and then buffering the memory, I/O, control and data signals.

Unlike traditional registered DIMMs (RDIMMs) that limit the amount of memory that can be accommodated to their loading profile, LRDIMMs replace the register with an isolated memory buffer and significantly reduce the load. The new scheme enables more ranks of dynamic RAM (DRAM) to be populated on the memory module and seamlessly accessed by the CPU memory controller. The result is that each server's memory capacity can be multiplied as much as fourfold, while server bandwidths can increase by up to 36 percent compared to RDIMM approaches.

In addition, the LRDIMMs based on Inphi's JEDEC-compatible iMB component alleviates another major concern -– power consumption -– that plagues DDR3 systems when maximum memory capacity is needed. On most usage models, a quad-ranked LRDIMM consumes lower power, in both active and idle condition, compared to an equivalent quad-ranked RDIMM with the same capacity. This overall reduction in power consumption is brought about by improved optimization of termination power on the LRDIMM.

Because the new technology enables LRDIMMs to scale to much higher capacities and frequencies using cost-effective mainstream DRAM technology, servers can support more higher-speed CPUs without adding more memory modules, and with lower power consumption. Alternatively, data center servers using the new memory architecture can support the same amount of memory with many fewer servers, directly improving the total cost of ownership.

Engineering samples of Inphi's iMB 02-GS01 Isolation Memory Buffer are offered in a RoHS-compliant flip-chip BGA and are available now for qualified customers. Prices for initial engineering samples are $25.00. Fully qualified parts are expected to begin shipping in Q2 of 2010.

Source: Inphi Corporation



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