Rosewill RCX-Z3 CPU Cooler Review
RBMods :: Wednesday, December 27, 2006
As today’s processors crank out more performance and heat, you really need to pay attention to the temperature of your CPU and therefore the performance of your CPU cooler. Rosewill, makers of a wide range of computer components, has developed a new CPU cooler, the RCX-Z3, which certainly has a size advantage over much of the competition. But how will it perform? Let’s find out in today’s CPU cooler review.
EVGA 680i SLI Motherboard
Club Overclocker :: Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Over the past few months we have been hearing about how great the new NVIDA nForce 680i motherboards were going to be, but at first they were all suppose to be released in early December, now many of those release dates have been pushed back to January after the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. But while the big boys on the block were stalling, EVGA comes along and takes everyone by surprise and has their version on the market and readily available to the public. Now we all know EVGA, but we know them for their NVIDIA based video cards, not motherboards. EVGA has a huge lead on the other motherboard manufactures with their 680i SLI motherboard, but with EVGA being somewhat new to the motherboard scene as well as getting an early start, will their 680i SLI motherboard be something computer enthusiasts and gamers alike will flock to and trust? From what I’ve seen from the 680i SLI board so far, that answer will be a firm YES
Scythe mine cooler on E6600
Hardware Overclock Austria :: Monday, December 25, 2006
Hardwareoverclock Austria has posted a new heatsink review. After the lga775 roundup, we have tested another one LGA cooler on our E6600 system, the Scythe mine cooler.
Electricity Quiz
Hardware Secrets :: Monday, December 25, 2006
“A new quiz on Electricity has just been added to Hardware Secrets Test Your Skills section. Take this quiz and check whether your knowledge on electricity is good enough or if you should study more.”
AMD’s 65nm L2 cache looks to be slower
Tech Report :: Monday, December 25, 2006
After we published our first look at AMD’s 65nm Athlon 64 X2 processors yesterday, some readers raised questions about funky performance numbers you’d seen from these 65nm CPUs at other sites. We focused on power consumption and overclocking in our initial look at the processors, assuming those would be the most interesting aspects of the die-shrunk parts, which were billed as otherwise offering performance identical to their 90nm predecessors. We should have known better, given the difference in L2 cache performance we noticed between 130nm and 90nm Athlon 64 processors during AMD’s last die shrink.
AeroCool Zero Degree Flexi Case Review
OCIA :: Monday, December 25, 2006
“Viewing the case from the rear, it really looks like an upside-down ATX. This rear plate is interchangeable for either an ATX or BTX motherboard. Each side panel comes with two thumb screws for easy removal. This case gives you the choice of using either two 80mm fans or a single 120mm fan for rear exhaustion, and has a removable plate for mounting the PSU through the rear.”
Zalman Super Thermal Grease ZM-STG1 Review
PC Modding Malaysia :: Monday, December 25, 2006
“Overall, the Zalman ZM-STG1 is not the best thermal paste in the market but having it in the market gives end users options. However, we find that our current favourite thermal paste, the Arctic Silver 5, to be quite effective when directly compared towards the ZM-STG1. Anyways, the ZM-STG1goes for about $10 / RM35 while the Arctic Silver 5 is sold at $6 / RM25. So, the ZM-STG1 is slightly expensive than the better performing Arctic Silver 5, but we suspect this is mainly due to the fancy packaging and glass bottle that the Zalman comes with. The Arctic Silver 5 is no doubt the better choice when it comes to thermal pastes and we have been getting great results with it for the past two years.”
99 Performance Tips for Windows
PC Stats :: Monday, December 25, 2006
“Brrr.. the weather outside is frightful, but the Guides are so delightful… :-) Good thing PCSTATS has a pile of handy Guides freshly updated so you can sit by your warm computer, and tweak away during Christmas. Welcome to PCSTATS massive Tips and Tweaks Guide! This time around, our focus is on making your Windows XP computer perform faster, boot quicker and run better! Whether this means booting and shutting down quicker, achieving better 3D gaming performance, or just making your PC feel quicker, chances are there’s a tip or two in here to help you speed things up. We’ll also cover the basics of overclocking the processor, memory and video card, so as not to miss out on this important area of extra performance potential. Please pay special attention to our ‘Tweak Insurance’ tips at the beginning of this guide to help you prepare your system against any potential mishaps. Now, let’s begin.”
USB Mini Aquarium w/Blue LED from Brando Workshop
Dragonsteel Mods :: Monday, December 25, 2006
Lately there have been a slew of USB powered gadgets that have come onto the market, some are great while others are just basically decoration, but some though, can add a bit of coolness to our otherwise boring workspace. Today for review our friends at Brando Workshop have sent us another really cool USB gadget, this time it’s a USB Powered Mini Aquarium with blue LED. Read on to check this out…
AMD confirms provisions for larger cache at 65nm
Tech Report :: Monday, December 25, 2006
The reason for higher cache latencies in AMD’s new 65nm CPUs has become clear: AMD has unexpectedly built in provisions for larger L2 caches. The story is here:
NZXT Zero Case Review
Think Computers :: Monday, December 25, 2006
“NZXT has been offering very nice looking midrange cases since their establishment in 2004 and they have decided to enter the high-end market with the Zero Crafted Series. The Zero case is designed to appeal to that group of computer enthusiasts who are looking to provide their case with the maximum amount of cooling without weighting a ton. In addition the NZXT case also features a tool-less drive bay system so many of us who are always swapping out hardware won’t be slowed down by screws. So without further delays let’s begin our look at the NZXT Zero case.”
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 750GB – Perpendicular recording at its best
Tweak Town :: Monday, December 25, 2006
“The hard disk is simply the slowest part of the computer system. CPU’s can transmit data in the form of gigabits per second, memory bandwidth goes over 5GB/s and graphics cards can handle data in the order of 38GB/s across its memory buses. But the trusty hard disk in most cases cannot deliver sustained data faster than about 60MB/s, simply put, going for the faster CPU isn’t going to be able to speed up your load times on games if you can’t get the data off the disk quickly enough.
In recent years, the advancement of the hard disk has started to become a major part of the PC industry with Serial ATA replacing the older Parallel standard that was used for over 10 years. Native Command Queuing or NCQ for short sped up the way the data is read off the drive, and now with perpendicular recording coming into the frey from companies like Seagate, we are now starting to see speed increases as much as what a magnetic recording device is capable of.”
Macally NDAS Network Drive Enclosure Review
Futurelooks :: Monday, December 25, 2006
Network storage without a file server; how is that possible? Well Macally seems to think they have a solution. A small rectangular box that houses a hard drive and is connected to a network router; that’s how Macally has created a network storage solution. Does it work? Let’s find out!
ATI Year in Review 2006
Phoronix :: Monday, December 25, 2006
“After running 120 tests using ten benchmarks and the twelve ATI display drivers that were released in 2006, our ATI A Year in Review has been completed! In this article we delve into how ATI has affected the Linux community this year, and how they are actively working on improving their image and support. But what direction is ATI/AMD headed in for 2007? We answer all of these questions and share a lot more exclusive information in our Phoronix ATI/AMD AYiR 2006 review.”
Foxconn MCP61SM2MA-ERS2H PCIe AMD Socket AM2 mATX Motherboard Review
OC Inside :: Monday, December 25, 2006
MicroATX motherboards are unfortunately often less overclockable than ATX boards and are partially a nightmare regarding the overclock options. The Test of the current Foxconn WinFast MCP61SM2MA-ERS2H motherboard will clarify, whether this inexpensive board is an exception. Moreover the Review shows, whether the integrated GF6100 onBoard graphics solution is fast enough for current 3D games and if the board also has enough features to satisfy power users.
Mushkin HP-580AP 580W Modular Power Supply
Bjorn 3d :: Monday, December 25, 2006
This year alone the computer industry has made huge leaps in power supply technology. Single rail power supplies were dominantly standard heading into 2006. Now just one year later, we have seen a very sudden shift making dual-rail power supplies the most common configuration. As power supply technology continuously evolves, the number of power rails will keep getting higher in these newer PSU’s. What used to be bleeding edge with five rails is getting closer to the average with each new release. Mushkin helps to drive power supply evolution forward and offers the HP-580AP with four power rails to enhance power stability under load; all at a reasonable price.
Noctua NC-U6 Heatpipe Chipset Cooler Evaluation 
Big Bruin :: Monday, December 25, 2006
The Noctua NC-U6 Heatpipe Chipset Cooler is an excellent choice for those looking for a significant upgrade in the chipset cooling department. It provides excellent performance that would make it appealing to overclockers and gamers, while offering absolutely silent operation that anyone could appreciate, especially HTPC users.
Cooler Master Mars Cooler
Technic 3d :: Monday, December 25, 2006
“The Cooler Master Mars CPU Heatsink arrived Technic3D. The next Cooler in the new Cooler Master Line. See you in the following Review against others CPU Cooling.”
Zalman FC-ZE1 Case Review
Hardware Logic :: Monday, December 25, 2006
Over the past two years, enthusiasts have been bombarded with “Fatal1ty” this and “Fatal1ty” that…..ad nauseum. Unfortunately, the Fatal1ty marketing gimmick to this point has been pretty much that….a gimmick. Zalman hopes to break the curse with the release of its new Fatal1ty FC-ZE1 case. If initial impressions are in fact the most lasting, Zalman has not only broke the curse….its obliterated it.
OCZ PC2-6400 Spec Ops Edition Urban Elite Review
MVK Tech :: Monday, December 25, 2006
“When looking for some special edition memory, the first name that comes to my mind is definitely OCZ Technology. They have been manufacturing high quality memory for quite some time, and each time they have consistently developed innovative features, which have allowed OCZ to fine tune their memory for specific needs. Featuring ultra-low 4-4-3-15 timings, the new OCZ Special Ops Edition (SOE) Urban Elite is ultimate balance of speed, reliability, and high capacity, making them an ideal solution for gamers. This new line of limited edition OCZ memory features a distinctive urban camouflage motif heat spreader and a price tag that has an edge over competitors.”
FOXCONN 975X7AB-8EKRS2H Motherboard Review
Legit Reviews :: Monday, December 25, 2006
” Foxconn really has outdone themselves with the offering of the 975X7AB. The performance and overclockability of the board are outstanding and the customer support is first class. This board certainly was not a “Dog” but a Fox to be desired. What more could you ask for in a board?”
Super Talent Holiday Giveaway – 1 week left!!
Think Computers :: Monday, December 25, 2006
“Well it is the Holiday season, which is the giving season. Super Talent was nice enough to supply us with some prizes to give to you! So here is what we are giving away! One 2GB Mega Screen MP3 player, and 1 1GB ReadyBoost USB Drive!! To be entered into the contest all you have to do is send us an e-mail to supertalent@thinkcomputers.org with your name and address and you’re entered! It’s that simple! So go ahead and send us an e-mail for a chance to win one of these cool prizes from Super Talent. The contest will run for 2 weeks starting December 13th and ending the 27th, so this will make a nice “after-Christmas” gift.”
Beginners Guides: Setting up an FTP Server in WinXP
PC Stats :: Monday, December 25, 2006
“FTP is an easy way to transfer files over the Internet and in this guide PCSTATS will explain the basics of using it, and how to set up a home FTP server in WindowsXP. If you’ve ever tried to share a large number of files over the Internet, you’ve no doubt noticed that it is not the easiest thing in the world to do. Sure you can use MSN messenger to send things… One file at a time. You could email, but that’s slow and limited by the size of your mailbox. What if you want to make several directory’s worth of your files available to yourself over the Internet while you are traveling? You could use remote desktop software, but that typically has anemic file transfer options and slow performance. What’s the solution? Why FTP of course!”
NZXT Zero Full Tower Aluminum Chassis Review
OCIA :: Thursday, December 21, 2006
“The rear of the case offers two 120mm exhaust fans. I was happy to see a free-flowing design with these exhaust ports, rather than the restrictive grill designs that many other case manufacturers use. You can also see that two thumb-screws are used to hold the left side panel in place, allowing you to gain access to the case without the need for a screwdriver.”
Enermax Galaxy Gamer 1000W DXX PSU
PC Apex :: Thursday, December 21, 2006
“Thanks no doubt to my recent sacrifice of a package of lamb chops to Fedups, the Greek god of shipping and shuffle board, the parcel arrived quickly and in good shape. Once I rounded up a couple of neighbors to help me carry it inside, I got started. Have I mentioned the Galaxy is heavy? Fourteen pounds is the weight listed on the shipping label. That’s more than some complete SFF rigs I’ve seen.”
Upgrading to Vista?
PC Mech :: Thursday, December 21, 2006
It’s that time again. Microsoft has released a new operating system. It’s called Vista. That you will have to upgrade to Vista some day, is a given. The question is when.
Tech In-Depth: System Booting
PC Mech :: Thursday, December 21, 2006
Besides being interested to know what exactly happens when you boot your computer, being familiar with the basic steps that are executed during system boot can help you troubleshoot problems on your own, rather than depending on Technical Support for minor issues, like an unplugged power supply cable, for example. If you are in Technical Support, then certainly it is a must to know the boot sequence of the type of machines you are supporting. Truth be told, if you are in Technical Support, you definitely need to know more about booting than what is presented in this article but I believe that even experienced Technical Support maniacs can learn something new from this article.
Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro Vs. CoolerMaster Hyper TX for Socket LGA775
Futurelooks :: Thursday, December 21, 2006
Like meeting the twin you thought you never had, there is sure to be a battle for dominance between these two CPU coolers for Socket 775. It’s a battle of heat pipes! Let’s see who flexes them better. FIGHT!
Christmas competition @ Tekbunker.com
Tekbunker :: Thursday, December 21, 2006
For this year’s Christmas competition we are giving away a Hanns-G 19 inch widescreen TFT. Bought especially for the lucky winner and shipped right to their door, in a choice of 2 colours – Black, or Silver.
Silverstone Tundra TD01 Watercooling Kit Review 
XS Reviews :: Thursday, December 21, 2006
“Water cooling has always been appealing to the HTPC crowd as it gave them a near silent cooling solution for their pride and joy. However, WC kits can often be ugly and bulky which means that internal kits are often the order of the day. Today I am testing the Silverstone Tundra TD01 which aims to provide an eye catching solution to silent cooling that will fit right in with your other living room electronics. ”
