Micro-Star International (MSI) has launched its latest graphics cards - N480GTX-M2D15 and N470GTX-M2D12 - both built with Nvidia's latest 40nm graphics chip, GDDR5 graphic memory and military class components.Both the N480GTX-M2D15 and N470GTX-M2D12 graphics cards support the latest DirectX 11, 3D Vision Surround and PhysX technologies, as well as MSI's exclusive Afterburner overclocking software for performance enhancement. MSI Nvidia Fermi graphics card specifications Model N480GTX-M2D15 N470GTX-M2D12 Graphics engine GeForce GTX 480 GeForce GTX 470 Bus standard PCI Express x16 2.0 PCI Express x16 2.0 Memory type GDDR5 GDDR5 Memory size 1536MB 1280MB Memory interface 384 bits 320 bits Core clock speed 700MHz 607MHz Memory clock speed 3696MHz 3348MHz Mini HDMI-Output 1 1 HDTV Support Y N/A HDCP Support Y Y Dual-link DVI Y Y HDMI Support Y Y Display output 2560x1600 2560x1600 RAMDACs 400 400 Source: Company, compiled by Digitimes, March 2010MSI N480GTX graphics cardPhoto: Company

AMD has announced availability of a new server platform, the AMD Opteron 6000 series, featuring eight- and 12-core x86 processor for the high-volume 2P and value 4P server market.The Opteron 6000 series server processors performing at up to two times the level of AMD's previous generation six-core processors, including an 88% increase in integer performance and a 119% increase in floating point performance, the company claimed.The platform features enhanced integrated memory controller supporting four channels of DDR3 memory for up to a 2.5x improvement in overall memory bandwidth. It also has 33% more memory channels per processor than competitive 2P solutions.The platform has 50% higher DIMM capacity compared to previous generations, with up to 12 per processor, increasing the available memory overall and improving virtualization, database and HPC applications.The platform's AMD 5600 series chipset features I/O virtualization capability, HyperTransport 3.0 technology and PCI Express 2.0.The platform has removed the '4P tax,' since the same processors can be used in both 2P and 4P designs, and 4P-capable processors are now the same price as 2P-capable processors, bringing greatly improved value to the 4P space.The platform has several new power management features including a C1E power state to conserve energy when idle, the Advanced Platform Management Link allowing APML-enabled platforms to be remotely monitored for power and cooling, and AMD CoolSpeed technology can automatically reduce p-states if a specified temperature limit is exceeded, AMD said.The new AMD Opteron platform is chipset- and socket- compatible between 2P and 4P and will be compatible with the planned processors based on the next-generation AMD server processor core, codenamed Bulldozer.AMD Opteron 6000 series processorPhoto: Company

Taiwan-based vendor Chimei on March 25 unveiled a 23-inch L series LED-backlit LCD monitor, the 23LH, and will launch four more LED monitor models in the second half of 2010, with the vendor expecting LED models to account for more than 30% of the total revenues from monitors in 2010.The 23LH features Chimei Color Enhance (CCE) PRO technology, 3D-ColorSpace Balancer, two mega:1 contrast ratio, full HD resolution, 5ms response time and 2 HDMI ports. The monitor will be priced at NT$8,990 (US$282.12).Chimei plans to add a 21.5-inch model in its high-end L series, and launch three models - 20-, 21.5- and 23.6-inch - in its entry-level V series LED monitors in the second half.Chimei vice president of brand development division Liang-Bin Cheng cited DisplaySearch data indicating that LED-backlit monitors will account for 5% of the global LCD monitor market in 2010 and 10% in 2011. LED-backlit monitors will account for 10% of the Taiwan LCD monitor market in 2010 and 30% in 2011.Chimei 23-inch LED-backlit LCD monitor - the 23LHPhoto: Company

Hewlett-Packard (HP) has launched a large-format color inkjet printer model, Designjet L25500, in the Taiwan market at a recommended retail price of NT$1.18 million (US$36,880) for a 60-inch format (width) and NT$880,000 for a 42-inch format, according to HP Taiwan.Supporting various printing materials, Designjet L25500 is intended for general advertising application, the company indicated.HP 60-inch large-format color inkjet printer Designjet L25500Photo: HP Taiwan

Seiko Epson on March 24 announced the launch of a new color inkjet printer for business use, B-518DN, in the Taiwan market at a recommended retail price of NT$19,900 (US$622), according to Epson Taiwan Technology & Trading.Epson color inkjet printer B-518DNPhoto: Epson Taiwan

Canon on March 24 unveiled three MX series inkjet photo MFP (multi-function peripheral) models, MX876, MX357 and MX347, for immediate launch in the Taiwan market at recommended retail prices of NT$8,990 (US$281), NT$5,990 and NT$4,490 respectively, according to Canon Marketing (Taiwan).Canon inkjet photo MFP MX876Photo: Company

Sony on March 25 launched a new Cyber-shot series digital camera model, DSC-TX5, in the Taiwan market at a recommended retail price of NT$12,980 (US$406), according to Sony Taiwan.DSC-TX is proof against water (3 meters underwater for one hour), low temperatures (-10°C) and shock (1.5-meter fall), and is a device for diving and mountain climbing, the company said. Sony DSC-TX5: Main specifications Item Spec Image sensor and resolution 1/2.4-inch CMOS, 10.2 megapixels Screen 3.0-inch, 16:9, 230,400-pixel TFT-LCD Lens 25mm wide angle (258 degrees), 4x optical zoom Dimension (W x H x D, mm) 94.0 x 56.9 x 17.7 Weight (not including battery and memory card) 128g Source: Sony Taiwan, compiled by Digitimes, March 2010Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX5 in three colorsPhoto: Sony Taiwan

OSD Displays (OSD) – Winter Park, FL. The OSD035T0576-19TS is a transflective (6% reflectance) 3.5-inch QVGA (320xRGBx240) TFT-LCD display module with integrated 4-wire resistive touchscreen. The module has an overall size of 64.0 x 85.0 x 4.13 mm. The active area is 53.64 x 71.52 mm. In addition to the module's low power transflective operating mode the module includes a LED backlight for low light operation. The LED backlight assembly consists of six serial white LEDs and is designed for a minimum service life of 20k hours. Initial brightness is typically 125 cd/m2. The typical power requirement for the white LED backlight is less than 500mW. The display module is fully RoHS compliant. It supports an ambient operating temperature range of -20C to +70C and a storage temperature range of -30C to +80C. OSD035T0576-19TS Photo: Company

Luxa, the exclusive accessory brand with a simple touch of luxury for a unique lifestyle, is introducing a new series of anti-reflection screen protection films for notebook and MacBook notebooks with 13-inch and 15-inch displays.Most people using notebooks are frequently affected by the glossy, greasy and reflecting surfaces of their laptop screens on daily basis. This can easily cause strain on they eyes and in the long run even result in headaches. To help MacBook 13-inch, MacBook Pro 13-inch/15-inch notebook users to get a clear view and image quality as well as an improved color contrast without annoying reflections, the Luxa AR, Anti Reflection Screen Protector has been introduced.To effectively prevent surface glare reflections, the material of the screen protector is the key. The Luxa AR screen protector is using optical quality PET with "Anti-Reflection" coatings. It is an industry-leading product especially tailor-made to minimize this surface glare while additionally protecting your screen from scratches, dust and dirt.Compared with bad quality screen protectors on the market, the Luxa AR can truly maintain the viewing quality of Apple MacBooks. Another advantage of the Luxa AR is its high quality adhesive material, making it very convenient to attach to or remove it from the screen. The adhesive material prevents the forming of air bubbles during application, and doesn't leave any residue after removal.Most people are afraid of damaging the screen protector while they are attaching it to the screen surface. The Luxa AR is shipping with user-friendly "Installation Kit" so you may just follow the steps one by one. If you fail, never mind, you can always remove and retry again.With the Luxa AR attached to your MacBook, from now on, you don't just protect your screen from scratches, dust and dirt, but also have a better view to keep your perspective.Luxa AR anti-reflection screen protection filmsPhoto: Company

Intel has launched its Xeon 5600 series processors that feature Intel's Advanced Encryption Standard New Instructions (Intel AES-NI), and Intel's Trusted Execution Technology (Intel TXT) - that enable faster encryption and decryption performance for more secure transactions and virtualized environments, providing data centers with a stronger foundation for cloud security.These are also the first server and workstation chips based on Intel's 32nm logic technology, which uses the company's second-generation high-k metal gate transistors to increase speed and decrease energy consumption.The Intel Xeon 5600 series processors support up to six cores per processor and deliver up to 60% higher performance than the 45nm Intel Xeon processor 5500 series, Intel noted.Data centers can also benefit from the power efficiency of the Intel Xeon 5600 series as the series' Xeon L5640 processor can deliver the same performance as the Intel Xeon X5570 processor, which is the top-end model of the previous series, but with up to 30% lower platform power, Intel pointed out.Intel's AES-NI technology is a new set of instructions that accelerate AES performance to enable faster data encryption and decryption for a wide range of applications such as database encryption features, full disk encryption and secure internet transactions.Intel's TXT technology will provide added security that cloud environments have been waiting for by enabling a more secure platform launch environment, along with providing more protection for applications that move between virtualized servers. Hardware-based capabilities integrated into the processor shield against malicious software to allow important applications and data to run more securely in a virtualized environment.The frequency-optimized quad-core version of the Intel Xeon 5600 series peaks at 3.46GHz with a TDP of 130 watts, while the six-core version reaches 3.33GHz with a TDP of 130 watts. Advanced six-core versions will top out at 2.93GHz and TDP of 95 watts, and the standard quad-core processor will reach 2.66GHz at 80 watts. Low voltage versions of the chip will have TDPs as low as 60 watts and 40 watts and feature six and four cores respectively.Intel also announced the availability of the Intel Xeon processor L3406 series. Targeted for use in the single processor micro server segment, the Intel Xeon processor L3406 series has a TDP of only 30 watts, making it ideal for high-density form factors and power-sensitive environments.In addition to enterprise-class processors, Intel also launched four unique processors for the embedded computing segment, including the first six-core processors, the Intel Xeon E5645 and L5638, the quad-core L5618 and E5620 processors. These processors, featuring 7-year lifecycle support, are built for thermally constrained and robust communications environments, and will route applications more quickly and efficiently between connected devices.Intel also announced availability of the new Intel Core i7-980X Extreme Edition processor, the company's first 32nm, six-core processor with 12 computing threads for client applications. The new Intel Core i7-980X is drop-in compatible with most existing Intel X58 Express chipset-based motherboards. Running at 3.33GHz, the Intel Core i7-980X is overclocking-enabled to provide flexibility to advanced users who want to adjust their speed settings, and has 12MB of Intel Smart Cache - 50% more than the current Intel flagship desktop processor. Intel server and six-core desktop CPUs specifications and price CPU model Frequency Intel Smart Cache TDP Cores / Threads 1kU Price (US$) Intel Xeon X5680 3.33GHz 12 MB 130W 6 / 12 1663 Intel Xeon X5677 3.46GHz 12 MB 130W 4 / 8 1663 Intel Xeon W3680 3.33GHz 12 MB 130W 6 / 12 999 Intel Xeon X5670 2.93GHz 12 MB 95W 6 / 12 1440 Intel Xeon X5667 3.06GHz 12 MB 95W 4 / 8 1440 Intel Xeon X5660 2.80GHz 12 MB 95W 6 / 12 1219 Intel Xeon X5650 2.66GHz 12 MB 95W 6 / 12 996 Intel Xeon E5640 2.66GHz 12 MB 80W 4 / 8 774 Intel Xeon E5630 2.53GHz 12 MB 80W 4 / 8 551 Intel Xeon E5620 2.40GHz 12 MB 80W 4 / 8 387 Intel Xeon E5507 2.26GHz 4 MB 80W 4 / 4 276 Intel Xeon E5506 2.13GHz 4 MB 80W 4 / 4 219 Intel Xeon E5503 2.00GHz 4 MB 80W 2 / 2 188 Intel Xeon L5640 2.26GHz 12 MB 60W 6 / 12 996 Intel Xeon L5630 2.13GHz 12 MB 40W 4 / 8 551 Intel Xeon L5609 1.86GHz 12 MB 40W 4 / 4 440 Intel Xeon E5645 2.40GHz 12 MB 80W 6 / 12 958 Intel Xeon L5638 2.00GHz 12 MB 60W 6 / 12 958 Intel Xeon L5618 1.86GHz 12 MB 40W 4 / 8 530 Intel Xeon L3406 2.26GHz 4MB 30W 2 / 4 189 Intel Core i7-980X Extreme Edition 3.33GHz 12 MB 130W 6 / 12 999 Source: Company, compiled by Digitimes, March 2010Intel Xeon 5600 series server processorPhoto: Company