Category Archives: Other

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.

Permalink

After Microsoft Senior Program Manager Steve Riley announced that HD DVD and Blu-ray will only play in 64-bit version of forthcoming Windows Vista, because Microsoft intentionally crippled HD DVD and Blu-ray support in Vista 32-bit, Microsoft PR manager Adam Anderson said to CNet that the original statement made by Riley is partially incorrect.

“Any next-generation high definition content will not play in x32 at all. This is a decision that the Media Player folks made because there are just too many ways right now for unsigned kernel mode code [to compromise content protection]. The media companies asked us to do this and said they don’t want any of their high definition content to play in x32 at all, because of all of the unsigned malware that runs in kernel mode can get around content protection, so we had to do this,” Riley said during the TechEd 2006 in Sydney.

But, Anderson says “it is up to the ISVs providing playback solutions to determine whether the intended playback environment, including environments with a 32-bit CPU, meets the performance requirements to allow high-definition playback while supporting the guidelines set forth by the content owners”.

“No version of Windows Vista will make a determination as to whether any given piece of content should play back or not”, Microsoft PR manager tells CNet.

While the 64-bit Windows Vista installation will come with a 32-bit emulation layer called Window on Windows (WOW) which will allow you to run your old 32-bit apps on your 64-bit Vista via emulation, the 32-bit hardware drivers will not work on new Microsoft’s operating system. Opposite to that, recently previewed Mac OS X Leopard will come with 64-bit and full non-emulated 32-bit support.

Dean Pullen in his article for The Inquirer sees Leopard’s non-emulated support for 32-bit applications and drivers as a great advantage compared to 64-bit version of Windows Vista.

“Note that the non-emulated support in OSX is for applications and drivers. 32-bit programs on Vista 64 need to work on WOW emulation to run in Vista, and 32-bit drivers are a no-no. Lack of driver support is the main reason Windows XP x64 hasn’t been widely adopted, and why the Vista fudge will ensure hardware incompatibilities between the two Windows versions remain for sometime to come.

This is quite a boon for OSX, and one that should be highlighted frequently and often,” says Pullen.

64-bit Leopard knocks spots off Vista

Asrock ConRoe945G-DVI is a new budget Intel Core 2 Duo (Conroe) motherboard featuring Intel’s 945G chipset and integrated Intel GMA950 graphics card. It has a Dual VGA Output: support DVI-D and D-Sub ports with DVI Graphics-SI card by independent display controllers. The ConRoe945G-DVI is equipped with four DIMM slots that can handle a total of 4GB of DDR2 SDRAM chips. For 3D acceleration, the motherboard supports ATI CrossFire technology via one PCI Express x16 slot and one AGI Express slot, which is basically a PCI Express x4 slot which is mostly used for SLI operation via CrossFire. The Asrock ConRoe945G-DVI motherboard handles four SATA2 slots,and it wears Windows Vista Premium Logo Hardware Ready. It’s current price is around $75 at online PC stores.

OCW Work Bench reveiwed and tested the Asrock ConRoe945G-DVI. You can read the story here.

Asrock ConRoe945G-DVI Specifications

LGA 775 for Intel® Core™ 2 Duo/ Pentium® XE / Pentium® D / Pentium® 4 / Celeron® D, supporting Conroe processors
Intel® 945G Chipset
Supports FSB 1066/800/533 MHz processor, EM64T CPU and H-T Technology
Supports Dual Channel DDRII667/533 x 4 DIMM slots with max. capacity up to 4GB
Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 950, Pixel Shader 2.0, DirectX 9.0 and Max. shared memory 192MB
1 x PCI Express x16 slot, 1 x PCI Express x1 slot
Supports Gigabit LAN 10/100/1000 Mb/s
Dual VGA Output: support DVI-D and D-Sub ports with DVI Graphics-SI card by independent display controllers
Hybrid Booster - Safe Overclocking Technology
Untied Overclocking : During Overclocking, FSB enjoys better margin due to fixed PCIE/ PCI Buses
4 x Serial ATAII 3.0 Gb/s connectors
7.1 CH Vista™ Premium level HD Audio (ALC888 Audio Codec)
Windows® Vista™ Premium Logo Hardware Ready
HD 8CH I/O: 4 ready-to-use USB ports, HD 7.1 channel audio jacks

The Dell XPS 410 is one of the first Dell’s computers to incorporate new Intel Core 2 Duo (Conroe) processor. Made for home entertainment and office productivity, the XPS 410 cheapest configuration costs $1595 at Dell’s site. For that price you get Core 2 Duo E6300 processor running on 1.86GHz, nVidia Geforce 7300LE (256MB) graphics card, 1GB of RAM and a 320GB SATA hard drive. In $1595 price is included 20-inch UltraSharp 2007FPW Widescreen Digital Flat Panel monitor and a 16x DVD+/-RW. The Dell XPS 410 comes with Windows XP Media Center 2005 Edition. It’s interesting that there is no option to purchase this PC with XP Home or XP Pro. This PC is Windows Vista Capable.

The XPS 410 can be also configured with the faster E6700 processor, 4GB of RAM, 1TB of hard drive storage, 512MB nVidia GeForce 7900 GTX graphics card, the AGEIA PhysX physics accelerator and a 24-inch widescreen display. In that case price exceeds $4000.

The mid-range Dell’s XPS 410 configuration with Core 2 Duo E6600 and nVidia’s 256MB graphics card was reviewed by CNet and PC World.

Dell XPS 410 (Core 2 Duo E6600) Reviews. Desktops Reviews by CNET.
The good: Speedy Core 2 Duo CPU; quiet operation.

The bad: Service lags behind other premium retailers’; expensive for what you get.

The bottom line: Brand-name shoppers will find that the upper-midrange Dell XPS 410 is an easy, if expensive, way to get into the next generation of CPUs without jumping all the way up to Dell’s XPS 700 gaming monster.

PC World - Dell XPS 410
The XPS 410 is a well-rounded system whose strong performance and enticing price make it an appealing choice. But if you require open drive bays for future storage expansion, you’ll be disappointed.

XPS 410 Product Details

Cannon PC, Media Center computers company, released its RX Series Rack Mount Media Center PC. The RX home theater computer is powered by an 64-bit Intel Core 2 Duo processor and has the ability to house 2 terabytes of disk space in 6 hot swappable SATA II drives.

Cannon PC RX standard configuration contains an Intel 975XBX motherboard, Intel 2.4 Core 2 Duo processor, Seagate SATA II NCQ hard drives (configurable in RAID 0, 1, 5, 10), 2 GB high speed RAM (expandable to 8 GB), NVIDIA 7900 series GeForce video card, 8 channel high definition digital audio, dual layer DVD drive, 12-in-1 media card reader, 1 HDTV tuner, 2 NVIDIA Dual TV tuners, gigabit Ethernet, 8 USB ports, 2 Fire Wire ports, wireless mouse and wireless keyboard.

Cannon PCs line of Media Centers is also available in AMD platform.

Link:Cannon PC - RX Series Media Center PC Technical Specifications

Okoro Media Systems, manufacturer of digital entertainment systems announced the availability of new computers based on the new Intel Core 2 Duo processor and DTS Connect technology. The OMS-TH550 and OMS-TH540 models will feature cool and quiet operation with excellent multimedia performance using the Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 and E6300 processors while the OMS-GX300 will maintain its status as the fastest HTPC available with the Intel Core 2 Extreme X6800 at its core.

“Our new digital entertainment systems (featuring Intel Core 2 CPUs) run up to 40 percent faster and quieter than our previous generation. This allows us to provide an unrivaled multimedia experience to all of our customers.” said Christopher Curry, VP of Sales and Operations.

The OMS Core 2 Duo models also feature “DTS Connect” technology for 7.1 HD audio, HDCP compliant video playback, and ATSC recording capabilities.

Okoro Media Systems Now shipping Core 2 Duo Based Digital Entertainment Systems

Gateway’s “the most powerful professional E-Series managed desktop to date”, the Gateway E-6610, is available now for purchase. The PC features the latest Intel 975X chipset, the new 64-bit Intel Core 2 Duo processor, high-capacity SATA hard drives and RAID configurability. The Gateway E-6610 can be configured with OpenGL graphics, Error Correcting Code (ECC) memory and ultra high-speed SCSI hard drives.

“The Gateway E-6610 is designed as a maximum performance desktop with workstation configurability,” said Marc Demars, Gateway senior director, professional desktops and displays. “Complementing these high-end features is BTX technology boasting an ultra quiet dual fan cooling system for improved reliability, making it one of the coolest running PCs available.”

Permalink

Overdrive PC, a U.S. based computer manufacturer today introduced the Overdrive PC Core2.SLI and Core2.X-Fire, a new line of ultra-fast desktop systems incorporating the newly introduced Intel Core 2 Duo (Conroe) processors. The Core2.SLI and the Core2.X-Fire computers, designed for gamers, multimedia enthusiasts and business professionals, can be overclocked for you by Overdrive PC.

“By incorporating our proprietary HyperClocking technology, we are able to increase the speed of the new chip beyond anything we have done before while still maintaining the stability our customers rely on. Combine the Intel Core 2 Processor, our HyperClocking technology and our new case and you have one phenomenal super-fast, super-stable system to meet all your business computing, multimedia and gaming needs,” explained Mario Cifaldi, chief technical officer and partner at Overdrive PC.

Permalink

Lenovo unveiled the ThinkCentre A60 desktop PC, the first worldwide ThinkCentre featuring an AMD processor. Lenovo ThinkCentre A60 offers choice between AMD Athlon 64 X2 dual-core processors, AMD Athlon 64 and AMD Sempron processors.

Available in a mini-tower or small desktop, the Lenovo A60 is equipped with serial ATA drive support, hard drives up to x2 500GB, DDR2 memory support, and nVidia GF 6100 integrated graphics. Lenovo ThinkCentre A60 also supports PCI Express graphics adapters. The A60 also comes equipped with six USB 2.0 ports, front side audio ports and internal speakers.
Permalink

Gigabyte recently unveiled the newest DS series motherboard, the GA-965P-DS3 based on the latest Intel P965 Express chipset with support for the Intel Core 2 Duo (Conroe) processors.

“Designed using All-Solid Capacitors, this mainboard differentiates itself from other players in the market by providing enhanced durability to ensure longer system operation and added system stability under extreme conditions. The Giagabyte GA-965P-DS3 allows mainstream users for the first time to take advantage of the overclocking and performance features usually reserved for high-end motherboards and comes equipped with a comprehensive set of overclocking BIOS options”, says Gigabyte’s press release.

Permalink

Here is the hand-picked list of the Gigabyte GA-965P-DQ6 review quotes. This desktop PC motherboard supports new Intel Core 2 Duo (Conroe) processors.

Review: Gigabyte GA-965P-DQ6 Core 2 Duo/Extreme motherboard - vnunet.com
Although it is expensive, this Gigabyte motherboard is loaded with features that will appeal to overclockers and, of course, supports Intel’s brand new Core 2 Duo and Core 2 Extreme processors.

Permalink

Dell Dimension 9200 desktop PC powered by new Intel Core 2 Duo processor was recently announced. Dimension 9200 small-business computer has options for NVIDIA and ATI graphics cards and can be configured with up to 4 GB dual-channel DDR2 800 MHz memory. It supports up to two SATA hard drives including 160 GB (7,200 and 10,000 RPM), 250 GB, and 500 GB capacities with DataSafe data protection options. The Dell Dimension 9200 ports include two front and six back USB ports, optional 13-in-1 media card reader, and optional front 1394.

The 9200 comes with Microsoft Windows XP Home, Pro or Media Center Edition operating systems, but it is also Microsoft Vista capable.

The Dell Dimension 9200 price, with 17-inch E177FP monitor included, starts at $1,467.

Dell Dimension 9200 Product Details

X-bit Labs compared new Intel Core 2 Extreme x6800 processor and Athlon 64 FX-62 CPU, both working in 32-bit and 64-bit mode.

…it looks like Athlon 64 processors ensure higher performance increase when switching to 64-bit work mode. The average performance improvement we have seen from Athlon 64 FX-62 equaled 16%, while Core 2 Extreme X6800 demonstrated only 10% average performance boost. This way, there is a certain difference: AMD K8 turns out 6% mode efficient in 64-bit mode than Intel Core.

Permalink

Hewlett-Packard today introduced HP xw4400 Workstation featuring the new Conroe processors, Intel Core 2 Duo and Core 2 Extreme, and 975X Express chipset.

With starting prices below $1,000, the HP xw4400 64-bit computer comes loaded with Microsoft Windows 32-bit or Windows x64 and has a wide range of graphics, memory and storage options, including new serial-attached SCSI hard drives. The HP xw4400 enables up to 8 gigabytes total memory capacity. The HP xw4400 workstation also is available with a wide range of PCIe x 16 graphics cards.

Permalink