The latest hardware news…
SuperPi 1M broke 9 seconds a long time ago and since then the record have been improved a number of times. Intel Core 2 Extreme X6800
Along with the SuperPi 1M record he also took home the 2M, 4M and 8M records. His gem of a processor is actually capable of more than that. He managed to validate 5.795.5MHz, not SuperPi stable.
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Good news for those waiting in tense anticipation for a confirmation on Eurocom’s quad-core lappie: it’s for real. Dubbed the D900C Phantom-X, this powerhouse will reportedly pack Intel’s “newest line of quad-core processors,” up to 750GB of internal HDD space, your choice of NVIDIA GPUs running in single or dual SLI, a Blu-ray optical drive, up to 4GB of DDR2 RAM, and a slew of ports including USB 2.0, FireWire, DVI, S-Video, a multicard reader, optical and analog audio in / out, and a gigabit Ethernet jack for good measure. ‘Course, you’ll also find integrated Bluetooth 2.0, 802.11a/b/g, stereo speakers, a built-in microphone, and an optional TV tuner that could certainly make you question the necessity of your desktop. So, you big spender you, go on and get your order in now and let the bragging commence — if you’ve got the $2,999 it’ll take for the base configuration, that is.
Source: www.engadget.com
The Futuremark Hall of Fame has been updated rather frequently during the last few weeks. Elmor, Hipro5, Gautam, Shamino and last Kinc have all submitted world record results that changed the charts. Lately it’s been 3DMark 06 that has gotten the most attention as first Shamino submitted a score that was not that far off fraom breaking the magic 26,000. Kinc later followed with an even better score, but was unable to break 26,000 as the motherboards failed on him. Well now the time has come for Hipro5 to return with another Hall of Fame result and this time he has managed to break 26,000; 26,008
Like Shamino he used a pair of GeForce 8800 Ultras
Along with the GeForce 8800 Ultras
According to the man himself >140 liters of liquid nitrogen was consumed in the process.
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Toshiba today announced the availability of the Qosmio G45-AV680, the first notebook PC in the new G45 audio-video series. The 17-inch Toshiba Qosmio G45-AV680, “the first U.S. model to feature an HD DVD-R (writable) optical drive and full 1080p playback resolution”, uses Intel “Santa Rosa” platform, NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GT graphics, and the Dolby surround sound technology.
Along with HD DVD playback, HD DVD media burning, and 1080p quality delivered by 17-inch diagonal widescreen Ultimate TruBrite 1920×1200 display, Toshiba Qosmio G45-AV680 provides a HDMI output for connection to external High Definition TV or monitor. There are also Toshiba’s external USB HDTV Tuner and a remote controller. Regarding audio features, the first Qosmio G45 comes with four built-in Harman Kardon Bass Reflex stereo speakers, a built-in subwoofer, a 1 Bit Digital Amplifier, and Dolby Home Theater technology.
The notebook’s graphics is powered by DirectX 10-compatible NVIDIA’s GeForce 8600M GT video card with 512MB DDR2 discrete memory. The whole system is based on Intel “Santa Rosa” PM965 chipset, paired with Core 2 Duo T7300 processor at 2GHz. Toshiba Qosmio G45-AV680 is configured with 2GB of DDR2 system memory, which is expandable up to 4GB, while for faster application loading and boot up there is 1GB Intel Turbo Memory module. This laptop has 320GB of storage capacity, using two 160GB Serial-ATA hard disk drives. The PC maker didn’t provide info regarding hard drives’ rotational speed.
Toshiba Qosmio G45-AV680 supports wireless N connectivity, provided by Intel Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN (802.11a/g/n). There are also a Gigabit Ethernet, a 56k modem, and a Bluetooth. For video chat and conferencing, the G45 uses web camera and microphone built into LCD bezel.
Besides HDMI, the laptop has VGA and S-Video outputs. Other ports and slots include five USBs, both ExpressCard and PCMCIA card slots, a 5-in-1 media card reader, and a Firewire. Regarding security, there is a fingerprint reader.
Starting at 10.6 lbs, the Qosmio G45-AV680 sports “a striking piano-key white glossy finish, which is starkly contrasted by a silver volume control knob and Qosmio AV Controller”. In addition, each control knob has blue backlight.
Toshiba Qosmio G45 comes with 32-bit Windows Vista Ultimate operating system (supports up to approximately 3GB of RAM) and is available at www.toshibadirect.com and a variety of major consumer electronics and computer stores nationwide. The first G45 is priced at $3,199.
Buy Toshiba Qosmio G45-AV680 at ToshibaDirect
Source: laptoping.com
The R700 series is the next generation of graphics circuits by ATI/AMD, and the last we heard it would arrive sometime (early) next year. Beside that we have UVD, AVIVO, integrated CrossFire and by the looks of it DisplayPort support. And according to a recent report by X-bit labs it will be made with 55nm technology at TSMC. We assume that this is mainly the mid-range and low-end circuits as high-end circuits usually are made with established and well tested manufacturing processes. In this case we would expect R700 to be 65nm and the RV710(?) and RV730(?) to be 55nm.
Source: www.nordichardware.com
New screenshots from upcoming “not quite a sequel” Blacksite: Area 51.
Preorder: Blacksite: Area 51 (X-Box 360)
Scythe announced today the original designed Kama Wing SCKW-1000 memory cooler. The Kama Wing is made of aluminum and features “angled” design to minimize the interference with components installed on the motherboard. The SCKW-1000 memory package also features 4 thermal tape pieces. The suggested price for the Kama Wing SCKW-1000 memory cooler is USD 9.80/EURO 7.50 excl. VAT.
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AMD’s latest roadmap reveals the company’s model numbers for two Phenom X4 and three X2 models planned to be released in Q4′2007 and Q1′2008. The Agena-based Phenom X4 processors carry the GP-7xxx model number. There will be two Phenom X4 GP-7xxx processors at launch - the GP-7100 and the GP-7000. AMD plans to clock the Phenom X4 GP-7100 from 2.2-to-2.4 GHz. The Phenom X4 GP-7100 has a 3600MHz HyperTransport 3.0, or HT3, bus speed. The lesser Phenom X4 GP-7000 has a targeted clock speed between 2.0-to-2.2GHz and a lesser HT3 bus speed in excess of 3200MHz. The two quad-core processors will have 89-watt TDP. AMD plans to launch one Phenom X2 GP-6xxx model by the end of the year. The Phenom X2 GP-6550 joins the Phenom line up next quarter clocked somewhere between 2.0-to-2.4GHz. The first Phenom X2 to launch has a 3600MHz HT3 bus speed. This model has a TDP of 65 watts. Two more Phenom X2 GP-6xxx models will join the lineup in Q1′2008. The Phenom X2 GP-6650 will launch first between 2.2-to-2.6GHz with a 3600MHz HT3 bus speed. This model has a 65-watt TDP, similar to the GP-6550. The next Phenom X2 GP-6xxx model to launch is the GP-6800. This model has a higher 89-watt TDP, but still a dual-core processor. AMD aims for a 2.4-to-2.8GHz clock speed with a 4000MHz HT3 bus speed.
Source: www.techpowerup.com
We’ve received some new information about the coming Intel Core 2 Extreme processor based on the new 45nm core(s) by Intel. First of all it seems that the processor will be named Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6950 (not that hard to guess…). The architecture is better known as Yorkfield and is a 45nm die shrink of the 65nm Kentsfield architecture. As the 45nm technology reduces the size of core components there is more room for cache, and Intel has indeed filled the excess space with more cache, a total of 12MB L2 cache is present under the IHS. The processor will of course also have a 1333MHz FSB and this new model will be running at 3.33GHz. The price? Like all Core 2 Extreme it will start at $999 when it arrives during the forth quarter.
Source: http://www.nordichardware.com
Sony has refreshed its VAIO SZ notebook series by introducing the SZ6 models with Intel “Santa Rosa” laptop platform, hybrid graphics solutions, hybrid hard drives and 13.3-inch LED backlight displays.
The preconfigured Sony VAIO SZ6 notebooks for the U.S. market, listed at Sony Electronics’ Business Solutions website, come with Intel Core 2 Duo T7500 or T7700 processors, while the built-to-order model additionally provides a choice of the T7250 CPU. These laptops ship with 160GB hybrid hard drives (H-HDD) featuring 256MB of onboard Flash memory and 5400rpm rotational speed, or with the standard 120GB, 160GB or 200GB HDDs, depending on model. The SZ6s have built-in DVD burners.
The hybrid graphics in GM965 chipset-based Sony VAIO SZ6 consist of the dedicated NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS GPU and the integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100 simultaneously. As same as in earlier SZ laptops, users can switch between discrete video card and power-saving integrated graphics. This video solution empowers the “razor thin” 13.3″ widescreen 1280×800 LED backlight XBRITE display.
Regarding connectivity, the SZ6 comes with Intel’s 4965 wireless module supporting 802.11n draft standard, as well as with Gigabit Ethernet, 56k modem, and Bluetooth. The select models have the wireless broadband service, provided by Sprint.
These new mobile PCs have both ExpressCard and PCMCIA card slots, two USB ports, Firewire ports, VGA outputs, and 5-in-1 media card readers. There are also a built in web camera, microphone and fingerprint reader in each VAIO SZ6.
With a standard battery unit Sony VAIO SZ6 notebooks provde between three and six hours of continous operation between charges, according to specifications.
The “Santa Rosa” SZ mobile computers weigh approximately 4 lbs and are 0.9-inch thin, Sony says.
Along with built-to-order VAIO VGN-SZ680 laptop, the listed SZ6 models at Sony Business Solutions are the preconfigured VGN-SZ650N/C, VGN-SZ660N/C, VGN-SZ670N/C, and VGN-SZ691N/X, priced from $2,049.99 to $2,699.99.
All of these notebooks have Windows Vista operating systems preinstalled. The VGN-SZ650N/C, VGN-SZ660N/C, VGN-SZ670N/C, and VGN-SZ691N/X are available for preorders at Amazon
