News

Remember, more stuff soon! I've got some cases and more hardware to do.

Radeon 9100 IGP @ TT.
Vantec Vortex @ VL.
Spamsomething @ Voided.
Gateway 19" LCD @ Designtechnica.
iPod 20GB @ Legitreviews.
Hitachi 80GB @ Ohls.
Corsair TwinX 3200 LL @ Ninjalane.
PC Toys Case @ ClubOC.

REVIEW EXPLOSION! And by the way, My P4 3.0C GHz review is up. Check it out. I'll have a few case reviews to put up very soon and more hardware on the way.

Hardware:
ATI Radeon 9600XT @ VL.
Radeon 9100 IGP @ Short-Media.
Leadtek nForce 2 @ RBMods.
Shuttle AMD64 XPC @ AMDZone.
SiS 655FX Flexible memory controller.
Corsair TwinX DDR500 @ OCTools.

Cases, Cooling and related:
Asetek watercooling @ Ohls.
Super Alien case @ 3DX.
Front panel @ Creativemods.
Vantec Vortex @ MTB.
Chenbro Gaming case @ Madshimps.
Steelpad 4S @ Hardextreme.
Vantec fan controller @ VL.
TT Volcano 11+ @ 3DX.
CM Aero 4 @ VL.
Silverstone Large HTPC Case @ Short-Media.
Antec Overture @ Ascully.

Whatever:
Bytecc USB HDD Enclosure.
Plextor DVDRW @ ClubOC.
Fangrill @ DVH.

AMD N-Bench 3 - Looks like AMD has done a new refresh of thier own benchmarking program called N-Bench. It has both CPU and video benchmarking. If you'd like some details on it or try it out head on over to OnlyNewZ. It's a pretty healthy download at 67MB.

CrystalMark - Looks like my favorite benchmark has a new update as well going to version 08.88.119. This one is a nice little program that not only benches but will allow you to take an in depth look at what hardware is in your system. CrystalCPUID has also been refreshed. Another nice program that allows those folks who own AMD64, mobile Athlon and VIA C3's to be able to change thier multipliers. Crystal Dew World Both under .5MB

PCMark04 - And of course last but not least, well known benchmark maker Futuremark has released a new updated version of thier PCMark program. Futuremark PCMark04 35MB

With faster and faster CPUs about, you can get a great deal on the second best CPU on the market. Let's see what this 3GHZ CPU can do.Next Page »

Before you stuff your face, make sure you remember to give thanks to everyone that made this country possible, past and present.

Now stuff your face!

I'm supposed to put out a CPU review today right? Hopefully it'll be up by the end of the day so you can have something to read while you stuff your face tomorrow .

ATI TV Remote Wonder @ MTB.
Albatron 5600U @ VL.
TT K8 Coolers @ OCTools.

We've got reviews coming I hope. I guess you can call this a slump.

TT 480W PSU @ TT.
AMD Barton 2500+ @ PCStats.
Maxtop case @ PCA.
Logitech Z5300 Speakers @ Designtechnica.
AMD Barton @ CyberCPU.
Soltek Springdale @ Ninjalane.

The dysfunctional, discolored family only known as the Simpsons is officially gracing the PC with their new installment, "The Simpsons Hit and Run". Deveolpers promise it will entertain the masses, and according to the website for the game, it will not dissapoint.


Read up on it here.

Quite a few reviews that I have to post, but I seem to be coming up dry for this site's review. I've got some hardware I'm waiting for, and a case that I have, but I need a slim DVD drive to put in it before I finish the review. On Wed, I'll have a review of the Pentium 4 3.0C GHz CPU. Look for that. I'm also contemplating reviewing Office 2003, since it is very much better than XP (AKA it is tons faster).

Hardware:
P4 ITX @ EPIACenter.
ATI AIW 9600 Pro @ VL.
DFI nForce 2 @ Tweaknews.
Chaintech nForce 3 @ Ninjalane.
Abit AI7 @ Tweaktown.
OCZ PC-4200 @ ClubOC.
SiS 755 Reference board @ Accelenation.
DFI nForce 2 @ Hexus.
MSI K8T Neo @ VL.

Cases and Cooling (And related):
Corsair Hydrocool 200 @ MTB.
Aspire case @ 3DX.
Silverstone HTPC Case @ FLHW.
Globalwin Server case @ Ohls.

Whatever:
Zippy EL Keyboard @ PCA.
Neros MP3 Player @ PCTechzone
USB something @ OCIA.
Comdex @ Legitreviews.
And Futurelooks.
And TTZ.

Xbit Labs has posted another review of 10 19" LCD models including 4 of Samsungs latest offerings for your pixelated pleasure.


Xbit Labs LCD Review

After a few more bug fixes from the llama folks, Winamp5 RC8 has made it's way out for a preview. Pop on over to Betanews for a list of bug fixes and additions to the program as well as the download over at Betanews or if you prefer here's the direct download link....

Winamp5 RC8

Poking around over on the Neowin forums it looks like Microsoft is moving along toward the XP SP2 final. Seems they are asking thier beta testers to give it a whirl for bug checks.


XP SP2

Getting tired of all the weekly patch downloads to fix those IE6 security holes that would put a piece of swiss cheese to shame? Why not give another browser a spin around the block?

A new version of the Opera browser is out in both without java3.32MB and with java16.09MB

Ahh, we've got some good stuff this weekend from myself. Perhaps some other person will give me a review I'm waiting for also... Hmm?

CM Jet 7 @ Piratesoftware.
UFO Case @ MTB.
ATI Radeon 9800 Pro @ VL.
Netdisk 80GB @ Bigbruin.
Philips Keyring MP3 @ Designtechnica.
Shuttle SB62G2 @ Hexus.
Gigacube 9600 Pro @ OCTools.

Abit is releasing a new nForce2 based platform called the AN7. From what I can tell it looks to be a refinement of the NF7-S along with thier new uGuru techology, which is an all-in-one feature that combines control of your audio, PC monitoring, bios flashing, tech support and overclocking utility all from within Windows.



Abit AN7 Specs

Looks like the upcoming Serial ATA 2 specs are getting an airing at this weeks Intel Developers Forum. Seems they are implementing more scsi-like features into the specs. Given what Western Digital seems to be doing with thier 74GB Raptor Sata drive ( StorageReview WD 74GB Raptor Preview here ) it may very well take the place of the tried and true scsi standard.


SATA II news

A bit win for AMD is Sun which will start to use their new Opteron CPUs in their servers. Sun will be, most likely, be one of the biggest customers.

Quote

The company expects to follow that release with a 64-bit version of its Solaris operating system for Opteron by the middle of 2004. Sun plans to offer a preview version of the OS in the late spring, followed by a production version in the summer, the company said.

Well, well. I'm expecting the gaming site to be officially opened in a day or two! Stay tuned to this space for that. Details will follow and a giveaway will probably happen!

Smart Drive 2k2 Enclosure @ MTB.
Swiftech MCX478 @ Madshrimps.
Asetek Watercooling @ VL.
Vantec Vortex @ HightekPC.
DFI nForce 2 @ Ohls.

Ever seen though nice screens on the Power Macs? Damn Now they have 20inch versions. Walk into your local computer store and check these things out. I'm a PC person all the way, but damn those are nice screens.

Quote

The 20-inch iMac comes with a 1.25GHz PowerPC G4 processor, 256MB of RAM, an 80GB hard drive, Nvidia GeForce FX Ultra 5200 graphics chip and Apple's SuperDrive DVD recorder/CD burner. It is available now for $2,199, Apple said.

If your one of those privacy advocates that doesn't like RFID, break out the foil because that foils the tags ability to send out data. A bad joke yes, but it is true.

Quote

Makers of RFID (or radio frequency identification) tags, along with the retailers and suppliers who plan to use them, are saying the technology they spent millions of dollars developing is too weak to threaten consumer privacy. Metals, plastics and liquids, they say, all block radio signals before they reach RFID reader devices.

I just got the first shipment of stuff yesterday for reviews. Expect something to happen during the weekend. I also am getting my retail edge 3.0Ghz CPU soon, expect a review on that.

SteeldPad 4S @ Creativemods.
Lightowl Cooler @ Voidedwarranty.
Comdex Day 1 @ AMDZonze.
Super Flower heatsink @ OCIA.
VIA K8 Chipset @ Hexus.
Cool Max Al enclosure @ Extremereviews.
Swiftech MCX462 @ FLHW.

The weekend is over and I don't have any reviews to put up... Maybe next weekend. Regardless, The gaming site will officially open this week. Get ready for that!

Hardware:
Gigabyte nForce 2 @ FLHW.
Abit IC7-Max3 @ Short-Media.
Gigabyte 655FX @ MBReview.
Opteron 248 @ AMDZone.
Chaintech 7.1 Soundcard @ Short-Media.
ATI AIW 9600 Pro @ Ascully.
Crucial 9800 Pro @ Techjuice.
Chaintech Athlon 64 Mobo @ OCTools.

Other:
Hitachi Sata Hard Drive @ Furioustech.
TT 480W Psu @ Extremereviews.
A+GBP Case @ PCtechzone.
Zalman 6.1 Headphones @ MTB.
UV Paint Guide @ Valley.
Vantec Panel @ Enscape.
Crucial 7 in 1 Reader @ VL.

The new huge storage that will debut with the new Itanium 2 in 2005 will allow the chip to run more than one thing at once. With a HUGE 24MB of cache, you can run many different programs at the same time. 24MB of cache, damn. That's more memory than my first computer (8MB of Ram).

Quote

The company has already said the chip will have two processors on a single piece of silicon, known as "dual core", and have 24 megabytes of cache.

Interesting link of the day... http://www.lumisource.com/product_details.asp?product=electra&product_id=1 It is a three foot high plasma lamp! I'm so getting one today!

CM Centurion 2 Case @ Ohls.
PrimoChill @ MTB.
Matrix Orbital LCD @ Ripnet.
Mushkin USB 256MB @ VL.
Gigabyte KT600 @ TT.
Samsung 17inch @ Designtechnica.

Another mouse review here at ASE Labs. This one is a wireless optical nonrechargable mouse. Madcat checks it out and gives us the report.



Read up on the whole thing. More reviews coming.

I keep saying it, I've got some reviews this weekend.

Albatron nForce 2 Ultra @ Furioustech.
Logitech IO Pen @ Hardextreme.
OCZ PC4200 @ PCStats.
Epox nForce 3 @ AMDZone.
Bytecc HDD Enclosure @ Ninjalane. We liked it.

We take a look at another Logitech wireless mouse. While not as indepth as the MX700, this mouse is very good at the market it targets. Read on as Madcat dives into the Click! Plus from Logitech.Next Page »

Fire up that internet connection and prepare to patch your installs. Microsoft has released a few new security patches for Windows and Office. It is pretty said when an Office program can be a vulnerability.

Quote

Perhaps the most serious flaw is a memory error in the Windows Workstation service, a software component that facilitates access to network resources such as printers and files. The vulnerability could allow an attacker to gain control of a person's PC via the Internet in much the same way the MSBlast worm was spread to hundreds of thousands of computers in August.

Remember to visit Windowsupdate at least once a week.

Check out my review of this doggy style case (I had to say it).



Read up on the whole thing. More reviews coming.

I actually have some more stuff to review this weekend, but for now, make sure you check out the gaming site!

Some PSUs @ Crazymodders.
Antec Overture HTPC Case @ Accelenation.
Thermaltake Volcano 12 Extreme @ HWHell.
Kingston HyperX DDR400 @ Legitreviews.
Epox nForce 2 Ultra @ Monkeyreview.
Maxtop case @ Ohls.
Fic K8T800 @ AMDZone.
Powercolor Radeon 9200SE @ Lanaddict.
Abit IS7 @ HCW.