Abit launched the LGA775 Intel compatible IN9 32X-MAX overclocking friendly motherboard, based on the NVIDIA NFORCE 680i SLI/SPP190 chipset. Abit IN9 32X-MAX supports 64-bit Intel Quad Core, Core 2 Duo, Core 2 Extreme and Pentium D, as same as 32-bit Pentium 4 processors.

The main Abit IN9 32X-MAX highlights are:

-3x SLI: Experience True x32 SLI bandwidth on 2x PCIe x16 slots, with the future proof added option of an extra x8 Physics lane on the third PCIe x16 slot.
-Dolby 7.1 Ch Audio: 7.1 Channel Audio Dolby Digital & DTS surround sound
- 5-Phase DIGITAL PWM for precision voltage stability.
- Silent-OTES heatpipe technology designed to cool your components quietly and efficiently.
-FAN EQ; Intelligent Fan diagnostics to optimize airflow and reduce noise.
-FlashMenu; Update your BIOS automatically online.
-OC Guru with AutoDrive to automatically overclock per application.
-ABIT EQ to monitor your hardware voltage, temperature and fan regulation information.
-BlackBox which is Abit’s 24-hour e-service for technical support.

Other features and spec’s include:

-2x PCI, 1x PCI-E 2x PCI-E x16 + 1x PCI-E x16 (x8 bandwidth for x4, x8 and x16 devices); Lights for easy jumper installation; 100% Japanese Capacitors; 100% Solid State Electrolytic Capacitors; Quick Power & Reset Buttons; 6x SATA 3Gb/s connectors; 3x USB 2.0 headers, 2x IEEE 1394 headers, 1x HDMI (S/P DIF header) header, 1x FP-Audio header; FSB: upto 1333 MHz.
-Dual-Channel DDR2 533/667/800/1066 with support upto 1200MHz
-SLI-Ready Memory with EPP x4 Dimms, Max 32GB’s

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NVIDIA today unveiled two new product families: the GeForce 8800 graphics processor, and the NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI media and communications processor (MCP) designed specifically for Intel Core 2 Quad and Core 2 Duo processors.

“There is no better way to experience Windows Vista, DirectX 10, HD-DVD, and Blu-ray than with a PC powered by GeForce 8800 and nForce 680i SLI. Our announcement today is the culmination of four years of research and development and represents the biggest technological leap we have ever made. Gamers are going to be blown away,” said Jen-Hsun Huang, president and CEO at NVIDIA.

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BIOSTAR has announced new TF680i SLI Deluxe motherboard for LGA 775 socket. The overclocking capable TF680i SLI Deluxe supports the new Intel Core 2 Quad processor.

BIOSTAR TF680i SLI Deluxe includes three PCI-E x16 slots. Two are electrical x16 for true dual-graphics SLI configuration and one is electrical x8 for additional GPU expansion. It also supports 10x USB 2.0 protocol up to 480Mpbs, and has two 1394a ports with the rate of transmission at 400Mpbs and dual-Gigabit Ethernet. There are six SATA2 connectors. It provides four dual channel DDR2 533/667/800 slots for maximal 8GB of memory and up to 1200MHz SLI Ready Memory. FSB of Biostar TF680i SLI Deluxe is specified to run at 1333MHz.

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After installing the latest Linux Ubuntu 6.10 distribution, code named Edgy Eft, both 32-bit and 64-bit versions on the same machine, we found that Ubuntu for AMD64 is faster in Zlib benchmark for over 20 percent. However, 32-bit version of popular Linux distribution was faster in MD5 and Blowfish tests for about 19% and 4% percent, respectively.

The benchmarks were done on a budget configuration, featuring AMD Sempron 2800+ processor, Asus K8U-X motherboard, and 512MB of DDR memory. We have benchmarked with Sempron clocked at default 1.6GHz, as same as with 30% overclocked CPU using JumperFree configuration in motherboard’s BIOS.

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Asus introduced the Intel Quad-Core enabled Striker Extreme motherboard, “designed to simplify the DIY process and add style to gaming systems”.

Along with Quad-Core and Core 2 processors, the nForce 680i SLI-based Striker Extreme supports Nvidia’s Quad-SLI technology, and is ready for the new 1,333MHz FSB specification.

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AOpen recently unveiled XC Cube EZ945(C) small form factor barebone system. A new member of XC Cube series, AOpen XC Cube EZ945(C) supports the 64-bit Intel Core 2 Duo and Core 2 Extreme (both code-named Conroe) processors.

Based on the Intel’s i945G chipset, XC Cube EZ945(C) provides 1066MHz FSB and DDR II 533/667MHz RAM up to 4GB. According to the press release, the news XC Cube also supports 7.1ch surround sound output and has built-in Intel GMA950 graphic engine. It also has optional video output card to offer HDTV signal.

“To satisfy the requirements of expending functions, XC Cube EZ945(C) equipped 275 Watt power supply unit which is enough for all mid/high end graphic cards and other add-on cards. XC Cube EZ945(C) built-in a 1GB/Sec ultra-high speed LAN connection, four SATA2, eight USB 2.0, three IEEE1394 ports, one PCI-E x16 and one PCI slots for future expending needs,” the press release says.

According to a HKEPC’s report, VIA has scheduled its new unified chipset for AMD platform in second half of 2007. “As a unified chipset, the new model would help VIA to fight in the value market more effective by a lowered cost. Further, supporting Hyper-Transport 3.0 means the chipset is also ready for AMD AM2+ processors”, the HKEPC has learned from motherboard manufacturing sources.

There will be 2 chipsets released from VIA for AMD platform. These new models include KT960 and KM960 which has build-in Chrome9 HD IGP-KM960. They are in unified design, which helps in lowering the cost, the report says.

Featuring Hyper-Transport 3.0, VIA KT960 and KM960 enable an enhanced speed of Hyper-Transport from 1GHz in previous version to 2.6GHz. This makes KT960 and KM960 ready for AMD next-generation AM2+ processors and multi-core processors in the soon coming future. VIA KT960 and KM960 both have 1 PCI-Express x16, 2 PCI-Express x1, 1 IDE, and 4 SATA II (3Gb/s, NCQ, AHCI) interfaces, where the SATA part supports Port Multiplier which enables up to 16 SATA devices connected in 1 wire. The chipsets provide RAID function with VIA RAID StorX technology. VIA KT960 and KM960 also feature Gigabit Ethernet, HD Audio, and 10 USB 2.0, according to the HKEPC’s sources.

HKEPC Hardware - IT News

Asustek today announced Asus Asteio D22 Viiv media center. It features Intel’s 64-bit Core 2 Duo desktop processor backed by a 1GB of main memory and 250GB hard drive and Silent-branded Nvidia 7600 GS-based passively cooled graphics card.

“The unit’s DVR functionality is linked to a two-week electronic program guide and a pair of digital TV tuners. With HDMI, component-video output, SCART, s-video and DVI ports, there are plenty of ways to hook it up to you telly. The Asus D22 is ready for 1080p HD content, Asus said, plus 7.1-channel sound through its array of analogue and digital audio connectors”, RegHardware reports.

Asus Asteio D22 includes USB, Firewire, Gigabit Ethernet and eSATA, as same as 802.11g Wi-Fi, multi-format DVD writer and a 13-in-one memory card reader.

Asus is shipping the Asteio with a wireless keyboard with an integrated trackpad and a Windows Media Center remote controler.

There is no info on Asus Asteio D22 price and availability dates.

Asus unveils Viiv-friendly media center | Reg Hardware

Gigabyte today introduced the GA-N680SLI-DQ6 and GA-N650SLI-DS4 motherboards, enabling SLI gaming by NVIDIA nForce 600 Series chipsets and support for the Intel Core 2 Quad processors.

The Gigabyte GA-N680SLI-DQ6 motherboard features the NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI MCP chipset, delivering dual PCI Express x16 connectivity. With support for an additional x8 lane of PCI Express connectivity, GIGABYTE GA-N680SLI-DQ6 allows users to add a standalone games physics processing card for an additional boost of graphics performance, the Gigabyte’s press release says.

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