Good News From AMD
Published by Codrut Nistor, on January 23rd, 2008, in the categories: Video Cards
Unfortunately, it's not about the new quad-core processors from AMD, but regarding AMD's graphics division, ATI. First of all, the HD3870 X2 seems to be already available in serious quantities, but the best part is that ATI is finally filling the gap they left in the low-end and mid-end market, with the introduction of the new HD3400 and HD3600 series, and this is exactly what we'll talk about today(we'll get back to HD3870 X2 as soon as everyone starts getting their hands on the beauty and more and more test results emerge).
I won't keep you waiting, so here's what we have - as I was saying, the HD3400 series cover the entry-level sector, while the HD3600 should become best deal for your money, when the money is not enough to purchase a top-of-the-line card, such as the HD3870 X2.
At this time, the most important info about the desktop versions, in my opinion, is related to pricing, with up to $70 for the entry-level cards, and about $100 for the HD3600 series cards.
When it comes to features, most things are just as expected - both series are powered by 55nm GPUs, they feature improved HD decoding for 1080p Blu-ray and HD DVD content, and come with support for 5.1 Dolby Digital surround sound audio output, using HDMI.
Obviously, both series are CrossFireX-capable, but what remains to be seen is if a CrossFire configuration using two of these lower performance cards is going to worth the price or not. Anyway, since the official launch of the series happens today, in Beijing, China, be sure I'll get back to the topic, as various third parties will start releasing their own products belonging to the HD3400 and HD3600 series!
I won't keep you waiting, so here's what we have - as I was saying, the HD3400 series cover the entry-level sector, while the HD3600 should become best deal for your money, when the money is not enough to purchase a top-of-the-line card, such as the HD3870 X2.
At this time, the most important info about the desktop versions, in my opinion, is related to pricing, with up to $70 for the entry-level cards, and about $100 for the HD3600 series cards.
When it comes to features, most things are just as expected - both series are powered by 55nm GPUs, they feature improved HD decoding for 1080p Blu-ray and HD DVD content, and come with support for 5.1 Dolby Digital surround sound audio output, using HDMI.
Obviously, both series are CrossFireX-capable, but what remains to be seen is if a CrossFire configuration using two of these lower performance cards is going to worth the price or not. Anyway, since the official launch of the series happens today, in Beijing, China, be sure I'll get back to the topic, as various third parties will start releasing their own products belonging to the HD3400 and HD3600 series!
The HD3870 X2 Is Almost Here
Published by Codrut Nistor, on January 22nd, 2008, in the categories: Video Cards
As we were saying here, the new dual-GPU video card based on the Radeon's HD3870 GPU should arrive in a couple of days, but fortunately, more details about it emerged a bit earlier, so it's my pleasure to tell you what's new about the card that's going to "double the excitement, triple the action" for gamers all around the world!
This is not the first dual-GPU card powered by ATI chips, but it's the first time when ATI does it, because previous attempts were made by third parties, such as Asus, Sapphire or MSI.Now, we know the following - the 3870 X2 will have two GPUs, each running at about 770MHz, with memory clocked at 2.25GHz, and its power consumption will be about the same, or even lower, than a single 2900XT card. If you have enough resources (you know, "re$ource$"...), you can grab two of these beauties and quickly setup a Quad-CrossFire system with only two video cards(that should take care of the cable nightmare that occurs when installing 4 cards in the same case...), and when it comes to performance...
What can you expect from such an impressive piece of hardware? I won't give any estimation, because I just passed through some early benchmark result leaked on the Web, and that one left me speachless. Do you think a score of 9573 (SM2.0: 4494, SM3.0/HDR:4476) in 3DMark06, at the insane resolution of 2560X1600 is enough?
This is not the first dual-GPU card powered by ATI chips, but it's the first time when ATI does it, because previous attempts were made by third parties, such as Asus, Sapphire or MSI.Now, we know the following - the 3870 X2 will have two GPUs, each running at about 770MHz, with memory clocked at 2.25GHz, and its power consumption will be about the same, or even lower, than a single 2900XT card. If you have enough resources (you know, "re$ource$"...), you can grab two of these beauties and quickly setup a Quad-CrossFire system with only two video cards(that should take care of the cable nightmare that occurs when installing 4 cards in the same case...), and when it comes to performance...
What can you expect from such an impressive piece of hardware? I won't give any estimation, because I just passed through some early benchmark result leaked on the Web, and that one left me speachless. Do you think a score of 9573 (SM2.0: 4494, SM3.0/HDR:4476) in 3DMark06, at the insane resolution of 2560X1600 is enough?
The LANParty DK X38-T2R Is Ready To Rock
Published by Codrut Nistor, on January 21st, 2008, in the categories: Mainboards
Now that the new 45nm processors from Intel started to become available, it would be an inspired move to grab a brand new mainboard too. Obviously, that is only true if you are planning to upgrade to a new Core 2 Duo CPU, but since DFI just announced a new mainboard from its LANParty series that uses the X38 chipset, it's the prefect occasion for you to add another option to the "mainboard for my new 45nm Intel CPU" list...
The LANPart DK X38-T2R is DFI's latest release that joins the high-end mainboard family LANParty, featuring the X38 and ICH9R chipsets from Intel, and having support for FSB speeds up to 1333MHz, the speed required by the latest 45nm processors belonging to the Core 2 Duo family. If you're on a budget, then I am sure you'd be pleased to find out that this mainboard supports DDR2 memory with speeds up to 1066MHz, and it features 8-channel HD onboard audio, as well as a total of 4-phase digital PWM for increased stability.
As you probably expected, all the other features one would like to have are available, such as PCIE 2.0, CrossFireX support, SATA II, and was build using solid capacitors Japan-made, so these boards should work without any problems when their time would have been long gone.
Since this is such a hot product, there is no information about availability and pricing yet, but I am sure these boards should be available in your area just in time for the new 45nm Intels (well, as long as you are not in Japan or another lucky spot where these can already be found).
The LANPart DK X38-T2R is DFI's latest release that joins the high-end mainboard family LANParty, featuring the X38 and ICH9R chipsets from Intel, and having support for FSB speeds up to 1333MHz, the speed required by the latest 45nm processors belonging to the Core 2 Duo family. If you're on a budget, then I am sure you'd be pleased to find out that this mainboard supports DDR2 memory with speeds up to 1066MHz, and it features 8-channel HD onboard audio, as well as a total of 4-phase digital PWM for increased stability.
As you probably expected, all the other features one would like to have are available, such as PCIE 2.0, CrossFireX support, SATA II, and was build using solid capacitors Japan-made, so these boards should work without any problems when their time would have been long gone.
Since this is such a hot product, there is no information about availability and pricing yet, but I am sure these boards should be available in your area just in time for the new 45nm Intels (well, as long as you are not in Japan or another lucky spot where these can already be found).
The New 45nm Core 2 Duos Can Be Found In Japan
Published by Codrut Nistor, on January 21st, 2008, in the categories: RAM
Currently, AMD struggles with their 45nm processors in the test labs, despite the fact they said the results so far are great, we won't get to see them on the market until this year's late autumn, probably. In the meantime, Intel revealed 16 new 45nm processors at CES, and some of them are already being used inside the new Mac Pros but, as it usually happens with new hardware, they are not that easy to find as CPU-in-a-box. Well, not anymore... but you have to be in Japan to get one!
Unfortunately, as you can see above, the pricing in Japan is higher than in US, but for now, everywhere, the problem is availability, and not price. For example, the E8400 is priced at 26,800yen, which means about 250USD, and previous statements from Intel said this CPU is going to sell at $183, in 1,000 batches. These being said, let's see what new 45nm CPUs from Intel we should expect, shall we?
The announced 16 new processors go like this: 5 mobile dual-cores, 7 desktop processors (4 dual and 3 quad-core), as well as 4 Xeon processors for servers. While the mobile processors don't leave you much freedom of choice, as long as you don't get to choose your laptop's hardware parts, in most cases, I'll tell you a few things about the current desktop 45nm parts available from Intel...
Phenom's competitors on the desktop market look pretty strong on paper, and I don't think they'll disappoint in practice, either. Here's what we have here for our desktops (or what we'll have, because not many people could simply go today in a computer store and grab one)...
The dual-core gang includes the E8190 and E8200 "junior" models, with frequencies below 3GHz and 6MB L2 cache, and a FSB speed of 1333MHz. The top dual-core model is the E8500, with 3.16GHz frequency, 6MB of L2 cache and the same FSB speed as all new 45nm desktop processors from Intel, 1333Mhz.
At last, we have the almighty Q9300, Q9450 and Q9550 quads, first of them having 6MB of L2 cache, and the last two, 12MB. The frequencies are all below 3GHz, but I am sure that can be "solved" with proper cooling and a bit of overclocking...
These being said, I have to remind you: if you're in Japan or you have a trip planned for the near future, you may consider purchasing a new 45nm Intel CPU there, if you can't find any of them in the neighbourhood!
Unfortunately, as you can see above, the pricing in Japan is higher than in US, but for now, everywhere, the problem is availability, and not price. For example, the E8400 is priced at 26,800yen, which means about 250USD, and previous statements from Intel said this CPU is going to sell at $183, in 1,000 batches. These being said, let's see what new 45nm CPUs from Intel we should expect, shall we?
The announced 16 new processors go like this: 5 mobile dual-cores, 7 desktop processors (4 dual and 3 quad-core), as well as 4 Xeon processors for servers. While the mobile processors don't leave you much freedom of choice, as long as you don't get to choose your laptop's hardware parts, in most cases, I'll tell you a few things about the current desktop 45nm parts available from Intel...
Phenom's competitors on the desktop market look pretty strong on paper, and I don't think they'll disappoint in practice, either. Here's what we have here for our desktops (or what we'll have, because not many people could simply go today in a computer store and grab one)...
The dual-core gang includes the E8190 and E8200 "junior" models, with frequencies below 3GHz and 6MB L2 cache, and a FSB speed of 1333MHz. The top dual-core model is the E8500, with 3.16GHz frequency, 6MB of L2 cache and the same FSB speed as all new 45nm desktop processors from Intel, 1333Mhz.
At last, we have the almighty Q9300, Q9450 and Q9550 quads, first of them having 6MB of L2 cache, and the last two, 12MB. The frequencies are all below 3GHz, but I am sure that can be "solved" with proper cooling and a bit of overclocking...
These being said, I have to remind you: if you're in Japan or you have a trip planned for the near future, you may consider purchasing a new 45nm Intel CPU there, if you can't find any of them in the neighbourhood!
OCZ Introduced a New 4GB 1000MHz DDR2 Kit
Published by Codrut Nistor, on January 20th, 2008, in the categories: RAM
No matter how much memory you got in your new or not-so-new computer, I am sure there's room for more, and if your mainboard allows you to use DDR2 modules, then you're on the right track! Being given the current memory prices, having 4GB is not something outrageous, especially since today's applications, especially games, are easily eating up 1-2GB when running. In such a situation, the new 4GB DDR2 memory kit from OCZ arrived just in time...
The OCZ DDR2 PC2-8000 / 1000 MHz / 4GB Platinum Edition kit, pictured above, is only available as 2X2GB 1000MHz modules, as its name says. This high performance kit offers a serious bandwidth, and the timings achieved at 1GHz are 5-5-5. The kit integrates Xtreme Thermal Convection, or simply XTC, Heatspreaders, which allow you to have a cooler memory (and maybe to overclock it a little bit further, if you really want to do that with DDR2 memory that already runs at 1000MHz...) by increasing ventilation and heat dissipation with the help of its honeycomb design.
This OCZ memory kit, just like other of their similar products, is hand-tested to ensure perfect compliance with the highest quality standards of the industry, and the OCZ DDR2-1000 XTC memory comes with Lifetime Warranty, toll-free technical support and an exclusive Extended Voltage Protection (EVP) coverage.
Currently, there's no information about pricing and availability, but you can go to the official product page and see if you can find a reseller in your region, first of all... Good luck!
The OCZ DDR2 PC2-8000 / 1000 MHz / 4GB Platinum Edition kit, pictured above, is only available as 2X2GB 1000MHz modules, as its name says. This high performance kit offers a serious bandwidth, and the timings achieved at 1GHz are 5-5-5. The kit integrates Xtreme Thermal Convection, or simply XTC, Heatspreaders, which allow you to have a cooler memory (and maybe to overclock it a little bit further, if you really want to do that with DDR2 memory that already runs at 1000MHz...) by increasing ventilation and heat dissipation with the help of its honeycomb design.
This OCZ memory kit, just like other of their similar products, is hand-tested to ensure perfect compliance with the highest quality standards of the industry, and the OCZ DDR2-1000 XTC memory comes with Lifetime Warranty, toll-free technical support and an exclusive Extended Voltage Protection (EVP) coverage.
Currently, there's no information about pricing and availability, but you can go to the official product page and see if you can find a reseller in your region, first of all... Good luck!
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