Corsair, a worldwide leader in high performance computer and flash memory products, announced today lab findings that show significant increases in performance and efficiency when increasing system memory capacity from 2GB to 4GB. Testing procedures and results can be found in the application note AN804: Gaming Performance Analysis – 4GB vs. 2GB, which is now available online at: http://www.corsair.com/_appnotes/AN804_Gaming_Performance_Analysis.pdf
Corsair Gaming Performance Analysis
AN804: Gaming Performance Analysis – 4GB vs. 2GB examines the benefits on a system’s performance when upgrading from 2GB of system memory to 4GB. Taking a real-world benchmarking approach, Corsair looked specifically at:
• Frame rate improvements
• Multi-tasking scenarios
• Program load times
• Memory usage of various applications
“Frankly, we were surprised by the magnitude of many of these results,” stated John Beekley, VP of Applications Engineering at Corsair. “The gains achieved in eliminating instances of slow frame rates in games resulted in a very apparent improvement in the quality of game play. Also, the faster task switching that 4GB offers the user results in real productivity increases.”
Utilizing 4GB of memory provided significant performance benefits to the system. Minimum frame rates within popular games increased up to 46% in the tests, thereby creating a smoother and more enjoyable gaming experience. 4GB of memory led to shortened program load times and vastly more efficient multi-tasking flexibility, which can lead to more productivity for users.
4GB kits of Corsair’s award winning DOMINATOR and XMS memory are widely available from Corsair retailers and etailers. Corsair memory products are backed by a lifetime warranty. Complete customer support via telephone, email, forum and the TSXpress helpdesk are also available. For more information, see www.corsair.com.
PC users love the visual realism that high-performance graphics processors give their PCs, but would rather do without the noise and power consumption typical of modern entertainment and gaming PCs. Starting today, however, they can have the best of both worlds, thanks to the new NVIDIA platforms based on the company’s Hybrid SLI technology. These new platforms are the foundation for a new breed of PCs that deliver a richer visual experience while reducing energy consumption and costs, fan noise, and even heat. The new technology is available immediately with new NVIDIA nForce 780a SLI and GeForce 8 Series based motherboards.
"Hybrid SLI will give consumers the extra GPU performance they need for the increasing numbers of visual PC applications such as today’s PC games," said Drew Henry, general manager of platform business at NVIDIA. "And it will give gamers and PC enthusiasts the quiet and power savings they demand. Hybrid SLI components could very well pay for themselves over the life of the PC.".
Gateway today introduced a range of new desktop PCs for retail and direct customers. Offering either AMD or Intel processors, leading technology and rich multimedia features, Gateway’s new line up includes PCs for general home use, tech savvy enthusiasts and high-performance gamers. While most of the new products include Windows Vista, Gateway is still offering one model with Windows XP.
For those who prefer to purchase from their local retailer, Gateway has increased the performance of its value-based FX desktop, with the introduction of the FX7026. The newest generation PC in this line features a faster processor, over-clocked graphics, more memory and increased storage. Recently introduced at retail outlets nationwide, Gateway’s line of FX PCs maximize gaming and digital media performance at a compelling price point. With widespread availability through the retail channel, the FX line takes the guess-work out of purchasing a gaming PC, bringing high-performance gaming within reach of most mainstream consumers.
Apple today announced that new movie releases from major film studios and premier independent studios are available for purchase on the iTunes Store ( http://www.itunes.com ) on the same day as their DVD release. New releases and catalog titles will be available from 20th Century Fox, The Walt Disney Studios, Warner Bros., Paramount Pictures, Universal Studios Home Entertainment, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Lionsgate, Image Entertainment and First Look Studios. Movies purchased from iTunes can be viewed on an iPod with video, iPhone, Mac or PC or on a widescreen TV with Apple TV, with new releases priced at $14.99 and most catalog titles at $9.99.
"We're thrilled to bring iTunes Store customers new films for purchase day-and-date with the DVD release," said Eddy Cue, Apple's vice president of iTunes. "We think movie fans will love being able to buy their favorites from major and independent studios."
New releases available for purchase on the iTunes Store this week, concurrent with their DVD release, include "American Gangster" and "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly." Other popular titles now available for purchase include "Juno," "Cloverfield," "I Am Legend," "There Will Be Blood," "Alvin and the Chipmunks" and "Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story."
The iTunes Store is the world's most popular online music, TV and movie store with a catalog of over six million songs, 600 TV shows and over 1,500 films including 200 in stunning high definition video. With Apple's legendary ease of use, pioneering features such as new iTunes Movie Rentals, integrated podcasting support, iMix playlist sharing, the ability to turn previously purchased tracks into complete albums at a reduced price, and seamless integration with iPod and iPhone, the iTunes Store is the best way for Mac and PC users to legally discover, purchase and download music and video online.
Pricing & Availability
Movie purchases and rentals from the iTunes Store for Mac or Windows require iTunes 7.6.2, available as a free download immediately from http://www.itunes.com. iTunes movie purchases and rentals require a valid credit card with a billing address in the country of purchase. iTunes Movies are available in the US only and are $9.99 (US) for library title purchases and $14.99 (US) for new release purchases and $2.99 (US) for library title rentals and $3.99 (US) for new release rentals, and high definition rental versions are priced just one dollar more with library title rentals at $3.99 (US) and new release rentals at $4.99 (US). Short films are available to rent for 99 cents (US). Movies can be previewed, purchased and watched on iPod classic, iPod nano with video, iPod touch, iPhone and on a widescreen TV with Apple TV.
Razer, the world’s leading manufacturer of high-end precision gaming and lifestyle electronics peripherals, has launched the Lunar White Razer DeathAdder, an ergonomic right-handed gaming mouse specifically built with the needs of Mac OS X gamers in mind.
Razer DeathAdder for the Mac – US: $59.99; Europe: €49.99
• 1800dpi Razer Precision 3G Infrared Sensor
• Ergonomic right-handed design • 1000Hz Ultrapolling/1ms response
• Five independently programmable Hyperesponse buttons
• Always-On mode
• 16-bit ultra-wide data path
• 6400 frames per second (5.8 megapixels per second)
• Up to 120 inches per second and15g of acceleration
• Zero-acoustic Ultraslick Teflon feet
• Approximate size:128mm (length) x 70mm (width) x 42.5mm (height)
AVAILABILITY: May 20, 2008 – Worldwide and at US Apple stores
Toshiba’s Digital Products Division (DPD), a division of Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., today highlighted that its newly designed Satellite laptops are equipped with its innovative face recognition software technology, which provides users with a fun and convenient way to log in to a personal computer.
“Toshiba prides itself on making laptops that stand out in the marketplace,” said Jeff Barney, vice president of marketing, Digital Products Division, Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc. “With the addition of face recognition, the newly designed Satellite models have yet another great feature that showcases Toshiba’s passion for creating innovative technologies that are equally enjoyable to use.”
The TOSHIBA Face Recognition software is a technology that harnesses the Satellite’s built-in Webcam to grant or deny access by quickly referencing a database of stored digital images of a registered user’s face. This database is created during a short setup process, where a user is prompted to move their head from side-to-side and up-and-down until their face has been adequately profiled with a series of still images.
Beyond traditional password and fingerprint login options, face recognition gives users a unique alternative for signing in to their laptop. Multiple users can use the software to log in to their personal accounts, which is ideal for family or dorm room scenarios where multiple users share the same laptop.
The software also provides flexibility by allowing periodic image updates to ensure that the latest user photos are available in order to account for changes in a user’s physical appearance, such as the growing or shaving of a beard or mustache.
Toshiba’s four newly designed Satellite models with the Fusion finish, the Satellite U400, Satellite M300, Satellite A300 and Satellite P300 are each equipped with the TOSHIBA Face Recognition software. Each Satellite model series is available from a variety of major consumer electronics and computer stores nationwide, or directly from Toshiba at www.toshibadirect.com. Detailed product information is available at www.explore.toshiba.com/satellite.
All new Toshiba laptops are RoHS-compatible(1), effectively reducing the environmental impact by restricting the use of lead, mercury and certain other hazardous substances. Toshiba also offers a computer trade-in and recycling program to reduce environmental impact and promote efficient utilization of resources. All Toshiba computers qualify for free recycling, while non-Toshiba computers and other consumer electronic products can be recycled for a small fee. For more information please visit: www.explore.toshiba.com/green.
When Intel first released its X38 chipset last year, it had a few shortcomings with it – namely that of official penryn support (1600MHz bus) as well as some overclocking limitations. It wasn’t soon after that we started hearing about Intel’s plans to hand-pick certain chips off of its production line which it knew would circumvent those issues and then dubbed those its X48 series.
AMD released its new triple-core Phenom CPU which clocks in at 2.4GHz - is it enough to muster anything away from Intel's momentum? Decide for yourself in the following reviews:
Super Talent Technology, a leading manufacturer of DRAM memory modules and flash storage solutions, today launched a DDR3-1800 4GB kit (2x 2GB) in their extreme performance Project X family.
Super Talent’s Project X memory is widely regarded as the world’s most advanced DDR3. “This represents another major first-to-market milestone for Super Talent”, commented Super Talent Marketing Director, Joe James. “While competitors are only able to produce 4GB kits up to DDR3-1600, we’ve engineered a kit that performs at elevated clock speeds while still supporting aggressive latencies.”
This Project X kit is built with the fastest available, hand selected Micron DRAM chips, and is stress tested as a matched pair on a dual channel Asus Striker II Extreme motherboard.
Project X memory is developed in Super Talent’s Silicon Valley Engineering Labs to deliver the highest attainable DDR3 memory performance. Project X memory combines blistering fast clock speeds with aggressively tuned latencies.
Project X employs an extreme cooling solution that offers double the surface area and 106% more aluminum mass than standard heat spreaders. With Super Talent’s special thermal adhesive, this cooling solution provides superior heat dissipation that results in a cooler, faster memory device.
All Project X memory is built and tested in Super Talent’s San Jose, California headquarters, and is backed with a lifetime warranty. The W1800UX4GP kit is available now from eWiz.com for under $499.
Alienware – the leading manufacturer of desktop, notebook and entertainment systems – announces the triumphant return of the Aurora to its award-winning line of desktop computers. The returning Aurora will feature some impressively stacked tech specs and an attractive, new starting price point.
Fully-equipped, the Alienware Aurora desktop boasts a quad core AMD® Phenom™ 9850 Black Edition CPU and dual ATI™ Radeon™ 3870X2 GPUs with 2GB of combined, dedicated graphics memory. A fully-integrated AMD Spider/ASUS 790FX-based platform, the Aurora offers users a perfectly balanced environment honed for more efficient, more extreme performance. Additional features include up to 4TB of hard drive capacity plus 4GB of DDR2 memory.
“We are thrilled to offer the Aurora once again,” says Marc Diana, Product Marketing Manager for Alienware. “Not only do Aurora users have access to intense speed and power from the new AMD Phenom processor, Alienware also delivers this performance for under $1,000.”
ASUS has released the ASUS EN9600GT SILENT/HTDI/512M graphics card. Incorporating our latest thermal solution – the V-Cool Heatsink, which features the V-Engine concept and Intercooler technology, the EN9600GT SILENT is the perfect solution for users who want a quiet system that doesn’t compromise performance. This exclusive innovation guarantees an absolutely quiet operating environment, and an efficient means of heat dissipation, resulting in extraordinarily stable performance. The unique design of the V-Cool Heatsink will lower GPU temperatures by 10ºC in comparison to reference designed boards; while the integrated SmartDoctor feature provides users with the option to overclock the Shader Clock for even better graphical performance.
Corsairannounced today that it has been awarded 80 PLUS Certification across the entire Corsair line of Power Supply Units (PSUs), including the award winning modular HX Series, powerful TX Series and value-performance VX Series.
More Efficient, Same Performance 80 PLUS Certification is the gold standard for power supply energy efficiency. The 80 PLUS specification requires computer and server PSUs to be at least 80 percent efficient at 20 percent, 50 percent and 100 percent rated load, ultimately improving computer stability and saving money on electricity bills. In addition, there are also performance benefits, such as reduced heat output which increases system reliability and minimizes the need for loud, high rpm cooling fans.
“We at the 80 PLUS program are delighted to recognize and applaud Corsair for having a complete power supply product line that is 80 PLUS certified,” said Jason Boehlke of the 80 PLUS Organization.
Build a Green PC System builders will find it easier to design a Green PC rig by starting with any one of the 80 Plus Certified Corsair PSUs as their fundamental building block.
“At Corsair, we feel like it is our responsibility to maintain high standards so our customers don’t have to make the choice between excellent performance and energy efficiency,” said Jack Peterson, VP of Corporate Marketing at Corsair. “They know that by choosing a Corsair power supply, they are getting premium performance, lower total cost of ownership and the smallest environmental footprint available,” added Peterson.
Corsair’s power supplies are available through Corsair’s authorized distributors, system integrators and resellers world-wide. All power supply products are backed by a Five-year Limited Warranty, complete with customer support via telephone, email, forum, and TechSupport Xpress troubleshooting guide.
OCZ Technology Group recently unveiled the Flex II memory series, designed for blazing speeds demanded by enthusiasts. These premium modules run at incredibly fast DDR2-1150 speeds for high-performance systems with integrated water-cooling. Designed to the very core to offer enthusiasts the thermal management innovation of hybrid water and passive cooling, the new PC2-9200 Flex II Series offers rock-solid stability and performance for your high-end gaming or overclocking system.
The OCZ Flex II heat management solution enables high-frequency memory to operate within an optimal balance of extreme speeds and low latencies without the high temperatures that inhibit or damage the module. Each PC2-9200 Flex II memory module features this breakthrough thermal management technology from OCZ. Combining an effective new heatspreader design with integrated liquid injection system and dedicated channels directly over the module’s ICs, Flex II effectively dissipates heat produced by high-speed memory. This sophisticated series was engineered with a unique “flexible” design to give enthusiasts the option to run the modules passively or water cooled via the thick array of aluminum fins, and the concurrent use of both options promotes maximum heat dissipation.
Super Talent Technology, a leading manufacturer of DRAM memory modules and flash storage solutions, today announced immediate availability of the popular Project X in a new DDR3-2000 2GB (2x 1GB) kit.
This Project X kit is built with the fastest available, carefully screened DRAM chips, and is hand tested as a matched pair on a dual channel Asus Striker II Extreme motherboard.
Project X represents the most advanced DDR3 memory available. It is developed in Super Talent’s Silicon Valley Engineering Labs to deliver the highest attainable DDR3 memory performance. Project X memory combines blistering fast clock speeds with aggressively tuned latencies.
Project X employs an extreme cooling solution that offers double the surface area and 106% more aluminum mass than standard heat spreaders. With Super Talent’s special thermal adhesive, this cooling solution provides superior heat dissipation that results in a cooler, faster memory device.
Project X memory is designed, built and tested in Super Talent’s San Jose, California headquarters, and is backed with a lifetime warranty. The W2000UX2GP kit will begin shipping today at street prices under $400.
Gateway today introduces new models in its line of popular notebook PCs, including additions to the company’s acclaimed FX line of notebooks for digital media enthusiasts and gamers, as well as new models with Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition. New models are available at leading retailers nationwide and direct from Gateway via 1-800-GATEWAY or www.gateway.com.
Royal Philips Electronics and Funai Electric Co Ltd of Japan today announced their intention to enter into a brand licensing agreement under which Funai will assume responsibility for the sourcing, distribution, marketing and sales of all Philips’ consumer television activities in the United States and Canada. The five-year minimum agreement takes effect September 1, 2008 and stipulates Philips will receive royalty payments in exchange for Funai’s right to exclusively use the Philips and Magnavox brand names for its consumer television offerings in North America during this period. This agreement secures continued presence of Philips and Magnavox branded TV’s in North America in a model that safeguards Philips profitability in this highly competitive market.
Philips today also announced that it will continue to take steps to improve the financial performance of its television operations by further optimizing its existing global supply base and focusing its TV business on its strongest markets, especially in Europe and in key emerging countries. To cover for the costs associated with these additional steps, and the costs associated with the transfer of the company’s North American TV activities to Funai, Philips will take total charges of up to EUR 125 million during 2008.
“The agreement with Funai and the other measures to improve profitability we are planning, follow our commitment that we would take decisive steps in addressing the unacceptable profitability levels in our TV business in 2008,” Philips President and Chief Executive Officer Gerard Kleisterlee said. “We have an 18 year working relationship with Funai and are confident it is an excellent partner to implement this new model for Philips’ television business in North America. This agreement will ensure a presence for Philips television in North America and uninterrupted access to innovative products for consumers.”
Other Philips consumer business categories in North America are not affected by this agreement and will continue to be manufactured, marketed and sold by Philips. Philips’ television position in the rest of the world is also unaffected by this partnership with Funai.
Today at the Linux Foundation Collaboration Summit, VIA Technologies, Inc., a leading innovator of power efficient x86 processor platforms, announced a new initiative to improve support for the Open Source development community.
As the first step in this initiative, VIA will open its official VIA Linux website at http://linux.via.com.tw this month. The site will initially host drivers, technical documentation, source code, and information regarding the VIA CN700, CX700/M, CN896 and the new VIA VX800 chipsets, with plans to add official forums and support for more products later on in the year.
Over the following months, VIA will work with the community to enable 2D, 3D and video playback acceleration to ensure the best possible Open Source experience on VIA Processor Platforms.
Satellite A300 Series
Toshiba’s sleek new Fusion finish with Horizon pattern is just one of the new features within newly designed Satellite A300 series. The A300 series also sports a 15.4-inch diagonal widescreen display, which allows users to view a variety of high-definition content. New LED-illuminated “Feather-Touch” multimedia command keys and Toshiba’s innovative Sleep-and-Charge USB ports are just a couple of notable features found on the A300 series. The A300 series is also available in both Intel and AMD configurations to provide users with an abundance of power.
Satellite U400 Series The new Satellite U400 laptop series is a stylishly designed ‘thin-and-light’ mobile laptop with Toshiba’s new brilliant Fusion finish with Horizon pattern. In addition to weighing less than five pounds the U400 series also includes a flush mounted touchpad, Sleep-and-Charge USB ports and facial recognition. The innovative Sleep-and-Charge USB ports featured on the U400 series allow for popular mobile devices such as MP3 players, mobile phones and PDAs to be charged whether the laptop is powered-on, off or in sleep mode. Each Satellite U400 model also features a high-definition 13.3-inch diagonal widescreen TruBrite® display, which is perfect for viewing a wide array of high-definition content.
Satellite P300 Series
A sleek, modern look, the Satellite P300 series is an innovative desktop replacement that also sports Toshiba’s Fusion finish with Horizon pattern. Along with innovative Sleep-and-Charge USB ports, “Feather-Touch” multimedia command keys, the P300 series sports a high-definition 17-inch diagonal widescreen TruBrite® display. Available in select models, users can expand the functionality of the laptop through REGZA LINK™ (HDMI-CEC) technology, which enables the laptop to be connected to external displays.
Satellite M300 Series
With a starting price of $949.99 the new Satellite M300 laptop series provides affordability in a mobile 14.1-inch package. Using Toshiba’s Horizon design the stylish M300 series carries a brilliant Fusion™ finish that gives the notebook an overall sleek and stunning appeal. The M300 series also included the innovative Sleep-and-Charge USB ports, flush mounted touchpad and two Harman Kardon® speakers that deliver incredible virtual surround sound the use of Dolby® Sound Room™ technology
Satellite X205 Series Designed for high performance gaming the new Satellite X205-SLi5 and Satellite X205-SLi6 provide remarkable gaming power and graphic rendering capabilities at an affordable starting price of $1,999.99. Both models incorporate dual NVIDIA GeForce® 8600M GT graphics cards and Intel’s Core® 2 Duo processor technology. Also for maximum storage both the Satellite X205-SLi5 and Satellite X205-SLi6 include hard drives totaling 320GB and 400GB respectively. In addition to the above features the Satellite X205-SLi features a 1.3 megapixel built-in Webcam and microphone.
VIA Technologies, Inc, a leading innovator of power efficient `x86 processor platforms, today announced that it has agreed to transfer the Pico-ITX specification to the Small Form Factor Special Interest Group (SFF-SIG), which is leading a broad industry effort to create and promote standards for tiny computer and controller boards and modules, for the purpose of creating an official governing standard.
In return, the SFF-SIG will draft a formal specification document and promote it with the goal of broadening the number of suppliers and customers who build and purchase Pico-ITX-compatible single board computers (SBCs). The SFF-SIG intends to publish a specification within the next few months.
As a worldwide organization that seeks to identify and standardize appropriate small form factor technologies and building blocks, SFF-SIG sees Pico-ITX as an ideal platform for the new ultra mobility CPUs and chipsets, highlighting the key benefits of smaller size, reduced power consumption, and greater reliability over larger legacy products.
Apple today announced that the iTunes Store (http://www.itunes.com) surpassed Wal-Mart to become the number one music retailer in the US, based on the latest data from the NPD Group*. With over 50 million customers, iTunes has sold over four billion songs and features the world's largest music catalog of over six million songs.
"We launched iTunes less than five years ago, and it has now become the number one music retailer in the world," said Eddy Cue, Apple's vice president of iTunes. "We are thrilled, and would like to thank all of our customers for helping us reach this incredible milestone."
*Based on data from market research firm the NPD Group's MusicWatch survey that captures consumer reported past week unit purchases and counts one CD representing 12 tracks, excluding wireless transactions. The iTunes Store became the largest music retailer in the US based on the amount of music sold during January and February 2008.
OCZ Technology Group has announced the release of all-new additions to the Silencer line of power supplies from PC Power & Cooling including a 500W EPS12V and Dell™ compatible model. The efficient and economical 370W, 420W, and 500W Silencers offer mainstream system builders and professionals a robust power resource at an affordable price point.
"I am pleased that PC Power & Cooling is able to offer exceptional Silencer series performance and reliability at such an affordable price point, " stated Doug Dodson, founder of PC Power & Cooling and CTO of Power Management for the OCZ Technology Group. "The Silencer line now offers every type of computer user an option for the premium power management of their system."
The Silencer 370, 420, and 500 offer a range of power for mainstream gaming, home theatre, and work station PCs. The 500W series features a specialized Dell version that allows Dell owners to upgrade their systems with the latest components including any of the new power-hungry high-performance video cards. Ideal for PC users who prefer a straight-forward, value-minded PSU, the Silencer 370, 420, and 500 provide cool, quiet, and reliable power.
NVIDIA released its single-GPU GeForce 9800GTX card today and it's created quite a stirr amongst the tech community. Here's a round-up of reviews from around the net:
Corsair
PC users love the visual realism that high-performance graphics processors give their PCs, but would rather do without the noise and power consumption typical of modern entertainment and gaming PCs. Starting today, however, they can have the best of both worlds, thanks to the 
