SAPPHIRE Rounds Out HD 6000 Series with New Entry Level and Mainstream Models

SAPPHIRE Technology has just strengthened its range of graphics cards based on the latest graphics technology from AMD with the introduction of several new models in the HD 6000 series aimed at entry level and mainstream users wanting to benefit from the latest features including multi-screen displays and stereoscopic 3D output.

Several models will be introduced with the latest core graphics technology and offering a choice of memory configurations and outputs. All of them feature second generation DX 11 engines from AMD and on-board hardware video decoding with the AMD UVD (universal Video Decoder) – now in its third generation supporting Blu-Ray 3D for stereoscopic 3D over HDMI 1.4a. In addition, models with DisplayPort output also support Eyefinity multi-screen technology. Eyefinity gives users the ability not only to play games on multiple monitors, but also to work across three or more monitors as though it were one large monitor, bringing huge productivity benefits to applications such as photo editing, music creation and document creation.

The SAPPHIRE HD 6670 family is the highest performing graphics card in the range that does not require an additional power connection, making it ideal for users looking to upgrade existing systems to be compatible with the latest games and applications,. Two models are available, the SAPPHIRE HD 6670 Eyefinity model with 1GB of GDDR5 memory and DVI, HDMI and DisplayPort outputs, and the SAPPHIRE HD 6670 with 512MB of GDDR5 which has the flexible configuration of DVI, HDMI and VGA outputs. Both have 480 Stream Processing Units and 24 Texture Units and clock speeds of 800Mhz core and 4GHz memory, giving excellent performance, and both are dual slot cards cooled with a SAPPHIRE exclusive Arctic Cooler giving quiet, efficient operation.

For users on a budget, the SAPPHIRE HD 6570 series shares all the key features of the family, but with slightly lower performance and some low profile options. The SAPPHIRE HD 6570 GDDR5 model is a full height, dual slot card with 512MB of memory clocked at 4Ghz (effective) and a core speed of 650MHz. It has DVI, HDMI and VGA outputs. Two low profile models have the same output configurations and core clock speeds, but offer the choice of 2GB or 1GB of GDDR3 memory running at 1.6GHz (effective). The low profile models use single slot fan assisted coolers, and will ship with additional brackets to allow installation in low profile cases.

The new entry level to this technology is the SAPPHIRE HD 6450 series. All of the cards in this series are low profile and ship with both normal height and low profile brackets. The Eyefinity model has 512MB of GDDR5 memory with an effective speed of 3.2GHz. It has DVI, DisplayPort and VGA outputs and a single slot fan assisted cooler. Two other low profile models offer a choice of 512MB or 1GB of DDR3 memory clocked at 1334Mhz (effective) and output configuration of DVI, HDMI and VGA. The DDR3 models have passive, and therefore totally silent, coolers making them ideal for use in applications such HTPCs.

The SAPPHIRE HD 6000 series is supported by AMD's Catalyst DirectX 11 WHQL certified graphics driver which together with this generation of hardware delivers support for all of the key DirectX 11 level features including DirectCompute 11 instructions, hardware Tessellation and multi-threaded communications with the system CPU. They also support AMD APP Acceleration, - using Stream processing to accelerate supported applications such as browsing, video transcoding and rendering tasks by executing instructions on the GPU architecture rather than the system CPU.

Gigabyte Z68X-UD3P-B3 Motherboard Pictured

Amidst speculations that Gigabyte has put a stop to its P67 chipset-based lineup of LGA1155 motherboards and is planning a transition to Z68 top-to-bottom targeting several price points, pictures of the Z68X-UD3P-B3 surfaced. The new UD3P board is based on Z68, features a hybrid-EFI BIOS (dual-BIOS with >3 TB bootable volume support), and is designed exclusively for discrete graphics setup, it lacks FDI display connectivity. The CPU is powered by a 14-phase VRM that uses driver-MOSFETs, and cooled by simple heatsinks.

Expansion slots include two PCI-Express 2.0 x16 (electrical x8, x8 when both are populated), with 2-way NVIDIA SLI and AMD CrossFireX support. Storage connectivity includes four SATA 6 Gb/s (two from the Z68 PCH, two from a Marvell-made controller), and four internal SATA 3 Gb/s from the PCH. Other connectivity includes four USB 3.0 ports (two internal/by header), a number of USB 2.0 ports, FireWire, gigabit Ethernet, and 8-channel HD audio. The Z68X-UD3P should join the rest of Gigabyte's Z68X series, for an early May launch.

Source: coolpc.com.tw

Three New AMD HD6000 Graphics Cards Released by MSI

MSI, the leading graphics card and motherboard manufacturer in the world, today announced the release of three new graphics cards based on the AMD Radeon HD6000 architecture: the R6670-MD1GD5, R6570-MD1GD3/LP, and R6450-MD1GD3/LP. All of the new MSI graphics cards in the AMD HD 6000 family support the latest version of MSI’s proprietary Afterburner software with the Predator video capture function. Gamers can enhance their gaming experiences by capturing in-game videos and sharing them with friends over the web!

All of MSI’s new AMD HD 6000 graphics cards are equipped with HDMI 1.4a connectivity for the latest in 3D video support, and 7.1 channel lossless high-quality TrueHD and DTS-HD sound. The latest visual effects standards such as DirectX 11 and OpenGL 4.1 are also fully supported. The cards utilize Military Grade II components for extreme stability and durability. All in all, the new AMD HD6000 graphics cards offered by MSI provide the most fun and highest quality, qualifying it as the best choice on the market.

MSI Exclusive: Free Video Capture Feature
The latest version of MSI's overclocking utility, Afterburner V.2.1.0, comes with the proprietary Predator video capture feature. Gamers can now capture in-game video directly to their hard drive in their preferred video format, audio encoding, and video quality. Anyone can become a director by editing their own movies and uploading them to share with the entire world. Bundled free with MSI graphics cards, the Afterburner overclocking utility, as well as the newly added Predator video capture feature, provides gamers with an offer they can't afford to miss out on.

HDMI 1.4a Output and Latest Graphics Standards
The new HDMI 1.4a connectivity offered on the MSI Radeon HD 6000 graphics cards supports 3D video and can also carry 7.1 channels of audio in lossless high-quality TrueHD and DTS-HD audio formats, providing consumers with the most complete audio visual experience. The perfect solution for 3D home entertainment system, these all-new MSI graphics cards feature the latest DirectX 11 and OpenGL 4.1 next-generation graphics standards for the best in video and audio fidelity. These graphics cards deliver everything an enthusiast could ever wish for both in terms of HTPC performance and features.

Military Grade Components for ultimate durability
MSI's new AMD Radeon HD 6000 graphics cards are equipped with solid state capacitors and aluminum cores to maintain a high level of stability even under the heaviest of workloads. The 6670-MD1GD5 and 6570-MD1GD3/LP even come with Super Ferrite Choke (SFC) for a 30% increase in GPU current flow to achieve even greater power stability. By using the highest quality components available, these cards provide customers with absolute peace of mind.

SilverStone Introduces RAVEN RV03B-W Chassis

The RAVEN team's continued push to redefine and perfect the enthusiast tower chassis has resulted in yet another benchmark in the RAVEN RV03. With world-class cooling performance from the previous RAVEN chassis models retained by the included 180mm Air Penetrator fans, a rethinking of the interior layout enabled dramatic reduction in overall depth of the chassis compared to RAVEN RV02 while still matching RAVEN RV01's ability to accommodate Extended ATX motherboard and graphics cards longer than 13 inches.

Cable management was also improved with a new 5cm thick hard drive compartment to allow nearly all cables to be connected behind the motherboard tray with ease. An unconventional power supply compartment located in the lower front part of the chassis further add to facilitate cable routing so anyone can assemble a pristine looking system with maximum airflow efficiency.

Complementing the finely tuned and engineered interior, the RV03 has champagne colored trimmings adorning an exterior with aggressive lines yet reserved profile. The stand out styling also fully utilizes the chassis's powerful cooling ability to full effect by a set of smartly designed, dual-purpose front bezels that helps to keep the RV03 looking sharp and uniform whether the user is setting up for maximum air cooling or for a silencing build.

As a trend-setter and a computer chassis engineering showcase, the RAVEN RV03 has few equals. However, its advanced features are equally accessible that anyone from experienced enthusiasts to novice users will find easy to appreciate and utilize, making RV03 the most appealing RAVEN chassis yet!

Special Features

• Revolutionary 90 degree motherboard mounting from RAVEN RV01
• Includes two Air Penetrator 180mm fans for superb performance and quietness
• Support up to seven 120mm fans for exceptional cooling flexibility
• Motherboard back plate opening behind CPU area for quick cooler assembly
• Supports Extended ATX motherboard
• Supports eight expansion slots and graphics cards of any length
• Mandatory cable management design for clean looking system on every build
• Hard drive compartment with independent cooling zone
• Upscale and aggressive styling with dual-purpose front panel bezels

NVIDIA GeForce 270.61 Software Suite Released

NVIDIA today released its first WHQL-signed 270 Series GeForce software suite. The package provides the latest driver software for GeForce discrete, integrated, and notebook GPUs, ION GPUs, GeForce HDMI audio, and the latest stable releases of NVIDIA PhysX, and NVIDIA 3DVision. Version 270.61 WHQL packs official support for the recently released GeForce GTX 590, GTX 550 Ti, GTX 560 Ti, supermassive performance increases (such as 516% in Dragon Age 2 (GTX 580 SLI 2560x1600 8xAA/16xAF Very High, SSAO on)) specific to GeForce 400 and 500 series; and of course, a stable version of NVIDIA's driver auto-update software.

DOWNLOAD: NVIDIA GeForce 270.61 WHQL.

A list of changes follows.
1. GPU Support

• Adds support for the newly released GeForce GTX 590, GeForce GTX 560 Ti and GeForce GTX 550 Ti GPUs.

2. Performance
Increases performance for GeForce 400 Series and 500 Series GPUs in several PC games vs. v266.58 WHQL drivers. The following are examples of some of the most significant improvements measured on Windows 7. Results will vary depending on your GPU and system configuration:
A. GeForce GTX 580

• Up to 516% in Dragon Age 2 (SLI 2560x1600 8xAA/16xAF Very High, SSAO on)
• Up to 326% in Dragon Age 2 (1920x1200 8xAA/16xAF Very High, SSAO on)
• Up to 11% in Just Cause 2 (1920x1200 8xAA/16xAF, Concrete Jungle)
• Up to 11% in Just Cause 2 (SLI 2560x1600 8xAA/16xAF, Concrete Jungle)
• Up to 7% in Civilization V (1920x1200 4xAA/16xAF, Max settings)
• Up to 6% in Far Cry 2 (SLI 2560x1600 8xAA/16xAF, Max settings)
• Up to 5% in Civilization V (SLI 1920x1200 8xAA/16xAF, Max settings)
• Up to 5% in Left 4 Dead 2 (1920x1200 noAA/AF, Outdoor)
• Up to 5% in Left 4 Dead 2 (SLI 2560x1600 4xAA/16xAF, Outdoor)
• Up to 4% in H.A.W.X. 2 (SLI 1920x1200 8xAA/16xAF, Max settings)
• Up to 4% in Mafia 2 (SLI 2560x1600 AA on/16xAF, PhysX = High)

B. GeForce GTX 560 Ti

• Up to 461% in Dragon Age 2 (SLI 1920x1200 8xAA/16xAF, Very High)
• Up to 241% in Dragon Age 2 (1920x1200 4xAA/16xAF, Very High)
• Up to 19% in Just Cause 2 (SLI 2560x1600 8xAA/16xAF, Concrete Jungle)
• Up to 13% in Just Cause 2 (1920x1200 4xAA/16xAF, Concrete Jungle)
• Up to 6% in Far Cry 2 (SLI 2560x1600 8xAA/16xAF, Max settings)
• Up to 5% in Call of Duty: Black Ops (1920x1200 noAA/AF, Jungle Map)
• Up to 5% in H.A.W.X. 2 (SLI 1920x1200 4xAA/16xAF, Max settings)
• Up to 4% in Call of Duty: Black Ops (SLI 2560x1600 4xAA/16xAF, Jungle Map)
• Up to 4% in Civilization V (1920x1200 noAA/AF, Max settings)
• Up to 4% in Left 4 Dead 2 (SLI 1920x1200 4xAA/16xAF, Outdoor)
• Up to 4% in Metro 2033 (SLI 1920x1200 4xAA/16xAF, PhysX on)

3. NVIDIA Update

• This is a new feature in Release 270 and later drivers. NVIDIA Update keeps your PC up-to-date with the latest NVIDIA drivers by notifying you when a new driver is available and directing you to the driver on nvidia.com. When you install a Release 270 or later GeForce driver from nvidia.com, you will be presented with the option to install NVIDIA Update.

4. CUDA

• Adds support for applications using CUDA 4.0 features such as Unified Virtual Addressing (UVA) and GPUDirect v2.0.
• Installs HD Audio driver version 1.2.22.1
• Installs PhysX System Software to version 9.10.0514
• Supports the new GPU-accelerated features in Adobe CS5.
• Supports GPU-acceleration for smoother online HD videos with Adobe Flash 10.1. Learn more here.
• Supports the new version of MotionDSP's video enhancement software, vReveal, which adds support for HD output. NVIDIA customers can download a free version of vReveal that supports up to SD output here.
• Supports OpenCL 1.0 (Open Computing Language) for all GeForce 8-series and later GPUs.
• Supports OpenGL 3.3 for GeForce 8-series and later GPUs.
• Supports OpenGL 4.1 on GeForce 400 series and later GPUs.
• Supports single GPU and NVIDIA SLI technology* on DirectX 9 and OpenGL.
• Supports GPU overclocking and temperature monitoring by installing NVIDIA System Tools software.

Xigmatek Introduces Elysium Big-Tower in ''9XL'' Format

Originally known for their CPU coolers, the manufacturer Xigmatek has successfully established itself as a well known case brand with a successful line-up of enclosures, which feature an unbeatable price/performance ratio. After launching different Mid-Towers, Xigmatek is now announcing the first Big-Tower by the name Elysium.

The term "big" to categorize the Xigmatek Elysium can literally be interpreted as the flagship model of the manufacturer, as it is one of the largest cases on the market. 23 cm width, almost 62 cm height and a depth of 66 cm result in an enormous volume, easily able to hold nearly every hardware configuration possible. Especially extravagant systems profit from the space, as there is plenty of room for water cooling, SLI/Crossfire systems and even large mainboards like the EVGA SR-2.

In terms of the design, Xigmatek has combined their experience in cooling and cases to create a clean, modern look along with a long list of practical features. Twelve drive bays in the front allow for the ultimate expandability, while the brushed aluminum strips encompass these and add a classy note to the chassis. Xigmatek steers clear of unconventional forms, allowing the case to present itself with straight lines and massive size.

The top I/O panel holds a flurry of connectivity with 2x USB 3.0, 2x USB 2.0, eSATA and Audio plugs hidden under a protective, sliding cover. Additionally, a SATA hot-swap bay for 3.5 or 2.5 inch hard drives has been incorporated into the top panel, allowing for easy access to such storage devices. Multiple openings on the top and the side panel result in excellent cooling of the internal components, with the metal mesh and slanted openings.

Clearly the most important factor of the Xigmatek Elysium Big-Tower is its extreme size and resulting interior volume. Even the EVGA SR-2 HTPX mainboard fits within the chassis with room to spare, while E-ATX and XL-ATX mainboards leaving even more free room. The maximum length for graphic cards is 44 centimeters, which is much more than even the longest dual-GPU cards will require. Extraordinary is not only the space, but also the extremely well thought out design.

Instead of only offering a single opening in the mainboard tray for easy access to cooler backplates, the Elysium has another one right below the second CPU area of the EVGA SR-2, so that such an exchange is extremely easy with such a board as well. The Xigmatek Elysium is the one and only case of the exclusive HPTX format which offers this feature.

Numerous, rubber-lined openings in the mainboard tray allow for easy and extensive cable management. Even with the possibility of installing a large variety of mainboards within the Elysium, a perfectly clean and well managed interior is easily achieved with this system. To further reduce any potential cable clutter, the Elysium offers two separate PCBs to supply power to any fans within the system.

This means that the fans do not need to be connected to the mainboard or power supply directly, resulting in the necessity of additional splitters. Instead, a single Molex connector is sufficient to power up to 10 fans, while the included 3-pin cable can be used to connect both PCBs. As both units offer a Molex connector, the user is free to choose where to place the power supply and how to route the power cables.

The Elysium offers two ATX compatible PSU bays - one above and one below the mainboard tray. This also allows for the use of two such units within the case to easily power high-end systems with a multi-GPU configuration. With the 10 mainboard expansion slots, using 4 dual-height graphic cards is easily possible.

The forward area of the Elysium is reserved for the array of 5.25 inch bays, each of them equipped with a tool-less locking mechanism. Internal 3.5 inch drives fit into the two 4-in-3 modules, allowing up to eight drives to be installed inside the case. These rest on rubber rings and are cooled directly by the included fans.

These are of the 120 mm variety, while a 140 mm unit in the back and the 200 mm one in the left side panel are also part of the case. All of these feature embedded white LEDs to add subtle lighting to the Elysium. In addition to these four fans, the case can hold three 120 or 140 mm unit the ceiling, two 120 or 140 mm ones in the flooring and another 80 or 120 mm one right below the CPU area of the mainboard. Even a fan with 25 mm height will fit in this location due to the space between mainboard tray and side panel.

The ceiling and flooring of the Elyisum have a multitude of mounting options, allowing the installation of a variety of radiators of the formats 120, 140, 240, 280, 360 and 420. The maximum size of such a cooling unit depends on the location in which it is installed. External solutions can be utilized with the help of seven openings in the back of the chassis.

Four casters are part of the Elysium, making the relocation of a full system easy and painless. Openings in the underside of the chassis allow for quick and simple installation of these rolls.

The Xigmatek Elysium will be available in four variants. Either with a solid or windowed side panel in combination with black or silver aluminum strips in the front and on top.

The Xigmatek Elysium Big-Tower will be available in May for a price of 159.90 Euro at www.caseking.de

Source

Cooler Master Announces CM Storm Enforcer Gaming Case

CM Storm’s Enforcer is a bold new LAN deployable addition to the Storm lineup. It is a compact, featured packed, mid-tower solution for enthusiasts and budget conscious gamers. It comes as the first mid-tower to include native support for GPU cards like the AMD Radeon HD 6990 and the NVIDIA GTX 590, large CPU coolers, two 200mm fans, one 120mm fans, and USB 3.0. The CM Storm Enforcer changes everything with its speed, stealth and guile. With all of its offerings, CM Storm Enforcer provides limitless possibilities.

The CM Storm Enforcer draws from a design that is reminiscent of a futuristic or even a biological armor. It focuses on cleaner lines that still preserve an aggressive styling worthy of the CM Storm name. A nearly full-length side panel window allows users to show off their liquid cooling, custom wiring, and cable management with pride. This is accompanied by an interior coated entirely with a high quality black finish.

Cooler Master Storm Enforcer
Two 200mm (one included) and one 120mm fans are supported to provide plenty of airflow to remove heat from system components. Utilize each 200mm fan space to its full potential by installing two optional 120mm fans that will help remove the maximum amount of system heat while working at full load. To ensure that the cooling system runs flawlessly, dust filters have been strategically placed on fan inlets to prevent particles from entering the system. Experience less downtime with easily removable dust filters; allowing for quick maintenance. The front door and filtered lower mesh both assist in minimizing the amount of dust or other debris that can access the system.

Liquid Cooling
Large rubber grommets support tubes routed from an externally mounted 2 x 120mm radiator. Enthusiasts will enjoy that the 2.5" hard drive cage has pre-drilled holes to allow users to mount a liquid cooling pump. The rear exhaust has also been customized to allow ample space for all-in-one liquid cooling kits.

Lightning Fast USB 3.0
USB 3.0 is no longer constrained by a bulky pass-through connector. The CM Storm Enforcer is the first in its class to offer an internal Super Speed USB 3.0 connector which enables convenient access to the newest standard in speed. It comes ready to connect to the latest Intel and AMD chipsets with two front panel USB 3.0 connectors.

Modular Interior Features
The interior supports a total of twelve 3.5" and 2.5" devices. The upper portion of the hard drive cage is removable and 90 degree rotatable. Several options become available when the hard drive cage is detached. The 2.5" hard drive cage can be relocated to the top of the fixed 3.5" hard drive cage on the bottom. The newly freed up space allows long graphics cards such as the AMD HD6990 and NVIDIA GTX 590 to fit without problems. CM Storm Enforcer supports the longest graphics cards available in the future.

Cable Management
To assist in smarter and cleaner cable routing, many wire or cable tie mounts have been placed along the backside of the motherboard tray. To that end, several cable management holes have been placed throughout the motherboard tray to allow for the routing of cables directly to their intended destinations. In an effort to reduce installation times, all aside from the lower 2.5" hard drive cage are tool-free. A large CPU retention hole has been placed in the motherboard tray to allow it to be compatible with more types of motherboard layouts.

Source

Radeon HD 6450 Launch Clubbed with HD 6570, HD 6670 Launches, on 19th April

When the entry-level Radeon HD 6450 launches this 19th April, it will not be alone. AMD will back it with product launches of both the Radeon HD 6570 and Radeon HD 6670, according to fresh reports. With it, AMD will have completed its Radeon HD 6000 series product launches, in almost all price-points, top to bottom. Incidentally, the three were also launched together as OEM-only products back in February.

Based on the 40 nm Caicos silicon, HD 6450 packs 160 stream processors, and a 64-bit wide GDDR5/GDDR3 memory interface, designed for low-profile, single-slot graphics cards. The HD 6570 and HD 6670, on the other hand, are both based on the 40 nm Turks GPU, both feature 480 stream processors and 128-bit wide GDDR5 interface. The two are differentiated with the HD 6570 having lower clock speeds.

Source: Expreview

Intel Ivy Bridge Feature Set Detailed

ome time in the first half of 2012, Intel will release its next generation of desktop processors for the LGA1155 socket, based on the new Ivy Bridge silicon. Ivy Bridge is a 22 nanometer die-shrink of Sandy Bridge, with a few features added/improved. Ivy Bridge's smaller die size will allow for increased clock speeds and reduced production costs. A presentation was leaked to the press, which reveals quite a bit about the new chips. To begin with, Ivy Bridge processors are seamlessly compatible with existing LGA1155 platforms, and "Cougar Point" P67, H67, H61, Z68, chipsets, although it will come with its own 7-series chipset.

For the most part, Ivy Bridge is identical to Sandy Bridge, being an optical shrink from existing 32 nm to 22 nm. It will feature a new dual-channel DDR3 memory controller with official support for DRAM speeds of up to DDR3-1600 MHz. There's the usual PCI-Express 2.0 x16 hub that can drive up to two discrete graphics cards with electrical x8 connections. The integrated graphics controller will face an overhaul, it will be DirectX 11 compliant. It will also support the next version of Intel QuickSync GPU-accelerated video encoding technology. Turbo Boost 2.0 will be carried forward. TDP ranges in the usual 95/65/45/35W options.

Moving on, the next slide shows how Sandy Bridge, Ivy Bridge processors; and Cougar Point, Panther Point chipsets are seamlessly compatible with each other. Ivy Bridge processors can run on existing 6-series chipsets, Sandy Bridge should be able to run on Panther Point 7-series chipsets as well. The incentive in Panther Point chipset, however, is that it will feature a newer FDI interface that will support up to three displays running simultaneously; and that it will feature an integrated USB 3.0 controller. USB 3.0 will be implemented in a similar fashion as SATA 6 Gb/s on Cougar point, only some, not all USB ports will be SuperSpeed ports.

Source: DonanimHaber

New Intel Atom Processor for Tablets Spurs Companion Computing Device Innovation

Intel Corporation today announced that the Intel Atom platform, formerly codenamed "Oak Trail," is now available and will be in devices starting in May and throughout 2011. Over 35 innovative tablet and hybrid designs from companies including Evolve III, Fujitsu Limited, Lenovo, Motion Computing, Razer, and Viliv are based on "Oak Trail" and running a variety of operating systems.

In addition, at the Intel Developer Forum in Beijing, the company will give a sneak peak of its next-generation, 32nm Intel Atom platform, currently codenamed "Cedar Trail." This solution will help to enable a new wave of fanless, cool and quiet, sleek and innovative netbooks, entry-level desktops and all-in-one designs.

"The new Intel Atom 'Oak Trail' platform, with 'Cedar Trail' to follow, are examples of our continued commitment to bring amazing personal and mobile experiences to netbook and tablet devices, delivering architectural enhancements for longer battery life and greater performance," said Doug Davis, vice president and general manager of the Netbook and Tablet Group at Intel. "We are accelerating the Intel Atom product line to now move faster than Moore's law, bringing new products to market on three process technologies in the next 3 years."

The new Intel Atom processor Z670, part of the "Oak Trail" platform, delivers improved video playback, fast Internet browsing and longer battery life, without sacrificing performance. The rich media experience available with "Oak Trail" includes support for 1080p video decode, as well as HDMI. The platform also supports Adobe* Flash, enabling rich content and Flash-based gaming.

With these significant improvements in power-efficient performance, the Intel Atom processor Z670 allows applications to run on various operating systems, including Google* Android*, MeeGo* and Windows*. This unique flexibility delivers both new experiences and more choice when it comes to tablets and hybrid designs that combine the best features of the netbook and tablet together.

The platform also helps deliver smaller, thinner and more efficient devices by packing integrated graphics and the memory controller directly onto the processor die. The processor is 60 percent smaller than previous generations with a lower-power design for fanless devices as well as up to all-day battery life1. Additional features include Intel Enhanced Deeper Sleep that saves more power during periods of inactivity as well as optimized Intel SpeedStep technology. An integrated HD decode engine enables smooth 1080p HD video playback at a fraction of the power consumption.

In addition, Intel Atom Z670 processors come with the Intel SM35 Express Chipset, delivering a lead-free2, halogen-free3 design with high-speed USB 2.0 for greater performance and Intel High-Definition Audio to enable premium home theater sound.

Also ideal for small form-factor and portable embedded designs, the platform provides an excellent solution for a range of tablets in retail, medical and industrial applications. Solutions such as mobile clinical assistants allow medical staff to directly input data into patients' electronic files and avoid paper charting. This can result in a reduction in errors, better workflow, higher productivity and reduced paper handling and overhead costs. In addition to the Intel Atom Z670, Intel is offering the Intel Atom processor Z650 for embedded devices with 7-year lifecycle support on Windows and MeeGo operating systems.

Based on Intel's leading-edge 32nm process technology, the next-generation "Cedar Trail" platform will feature improvements in graphics capabilities including Blu-ray 2.0 support, a dedicated media engine for full 1080p playback and additional digital display options including HDMI output and DisplayPort. New features will include Intel Wireless Music, Intel Wireless Display, PC Synch and Fast Boot. In addition, the enhancements made in power consumption and TDP will enable fanless designs with longer battery life. This means great acoustics without the hum of a fan and improved ruggedness and aesthetics of the design. Intel is currently sampling "Cedar Trail" to all major OEMs and ODMs. Users can look forward to a new generation of innovative mobile and desktop designs based on the "Cedar Trail" platform in the second half of 2011.

Source

MSI Announces GeForce GTX 560 Ti HAWK Graphics Card

Leading international graphics card and motherboard maker MSI adds to the global legend of its Hawk series with the new N560GTX-Ti Hawk graphics card. The all new N560GTX-Ti Hawk is equipped with the latest Twin Frozr III dual fan cooling design, featuring MSI's exclusive Propeller Blade technology that delivers 20% more airflow than conventional fans and reduces GPU temperature by up to a staggering 17 degrees. The 8+1 phase PWM design also doubles the power for GPU, which, combined with Triple Overvoltage technology, further improves the overclocking potential of the N560GTX-Ti Hawk. With its graphics card cooling, power, high overclocking potential and stability, the N560GTX-Ti Hawk stands out on top among the industry's GeForce GTX 560 Ti based graphics cards.

Exclusive Propeller Blade Technology for 20% More Airflow
The MSI N560GTX-Ti Hawk features the advanced Twin Frozr III cooling solution. MSI's exclusive Propeller Blade technology delivers 20% more airflow compared to conventional fans, while the air channels on the fan blades expand the airflow area to carry away more heat from graphics card components. When coupled with dual 8cm PWM fans, super heat pipe technology and nickel-plated copper base, the result is a more efficient thermal dissipation solution, allowing the Twin Frozr III to achieve a staggering 17 degrees of temperature reduction versus the reference cooling design.

MSI's proprietary P/S Switch function allows users to change the speed of the dual fans according to personal preference and usage environments. Performance mode helps to keep the GPU temperature down even under high loads for the best performance, while Silent mode balances fan noise with thermal management during games or multimedia usage.

Improved Power Supply and Triple Overvoltage for Greater Overclocking Power
To provide users with the best overclocking performance, the N560GTX-Ti Hawk features an 8+1 phase PWM design. This boost improves overclocking stability by doubling the current output of the reference 4+1 phase design. MSI's proprietary Afterburner overclocking utility allows control over GPU/Memory/PLL voltages for unleashing the full overclocking potential of the N560GTX-Ti Hawk!

Using the Afterburner overclocking utility, amateur overclockers can easily monitor their graphics card's condition, simplifying the overclocking process. For the most demanding users, MSI has provided multi-meters at the voltage measurement points for monitoring GPU/Memory/PLL voltages. The N560GTX-Ti Hawk is truly an overclocker's essential!

Handpicked Components for the Highest Quality
The MSI N560GTX-Ti Hawk Graphics Card uses Military Class components that have come to represent the highest quality and stability among users. The new Military Class II specifications now include Tantalum capacitors with 8-times the lifetime of solid capacitors, SFC choke that provides 30% more power, and solid-cap capacitors with a 10 year service life. All of these components serve to ensure the highest quality and stability of the graphics card.

The N560GTX-Ti Hawk has many exclusive features such as the Twin Frozr III cooling module with Propeller Blade technology, Triple Overvoltage support with Afterburner, the 8+1 phase PWM design and the latest Military Class II components. The design of the graphics card represents MSI's commitment to constant innovation in its quest to provide consumers with the newest features and extreme overclocking potential.

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AMD FM1 Socket, Package Pictured

Here are some of the first pictures of AMD's new socket FM1. FM1 will be the platform for AMD's upcoming "Llano" A-Series accelerated processing units (APUs), in the desktop and notebook platforms. With it, AMD will compete with Intel's LGA1155/LGA1156 processors in consumer and business desktop markets that simply rely on the processor's embedded graphics. The Llano APU integrates a quad-core x86-64 processor with a DirectX 11 compliant AMD Radeon HD 6000 series graphics core (with 400+ stream processors, last we heard); a dual-channel DDR3 memory controller, and a PCI-Express 2.0 hub. FM1 is a pin-grid array, but its exact pin count isn't known. Purely by the looks of it, FM1 package looks smaller than AM3+. Clearly the version of CPU-Z used in the screenshot doesn't fully support the APU, but it does reveal some information. It's reading the quad-core chip as four single core processors with 1 MB L2 cache each. The processor is clocked at 2.4 GHz. Llano APUs are expected to make landfall in May/June.

Source: Zol.com.cn