Biostar Microtech has announced a new high-end graphics card, the Sigma Gate V8803GT52, which is based on the Nvidia GeForce 8800GT chipset and, according to the company, is the first PCI Express (PCIe) 2.0 graphics card in the world.Designed to run with the new PCIe 2.0 bus architecture, the Sigma Gate V8803GT52 takes advantage of the 5GT/s bandwidth offered by PCIe 2.0 but is fully compatible with existing PCIe motherboards, according to Biostar.The Sigma Gate V8803GT52 takes about only half the space of a typical GeForce 8800GTX model and is barely one slot wide, according to the company.The Nvidia GeForce 8800GT chip offers 112 stream processors, a 256-bit frame buffer, standard-setting GeForce 8 series features and, a strikingly immersive DirectX 10 gaming experience, stated Biostar.The Sigma Gate V8803GT52 will be available in the US and Europe in early November at a suggested retail price of US$249, according to the company. Biostar Sigma Gate V8803GT52 specifications Item Details Core clock 600MHz Memory clock 1800MHz Memory 512MB Memory interface 256-bit Output Dual DVI Source: Company, compiled by Digitimes, October 2007Biostar Sigma Gate V8803GT52 graphics cardPhoto: Company

Thermaltake Technology recently released its new M9 series chassis.The M9 chassis features a glossy finished, metal meshed styling. The metal meshed front panel allows ventilation flow through the entire body of the chassis with the help of two 12cm fans and air guide, according to the company. In addition, there are side windowed versions that allow up to four 12cm fans to be installed for better ventilation, stated Thermaltake.The internal HDD cage of the chassis can move freely and be installed anywhere from top to bottom as the user wishes for better organization of key components. The all round tool-free design reduces installation, according to Thermaltake.Thermaltake M9 chassisPhoto: Company

Asustek Computer has announced the release of the new Intel G35 chipset motherboards featuring on onboard HDMI connector, the Asustek P5E-V HDMI. The motherboards provide users with the ability to showcase high-definition multimedia, highlighted the company.The P5E-V HDMI and P5E-VM HDMI motherboards are outfitted with multi-display output modes and onboard HDMI. By delivering multi-channel audio and uncompressed digital video with HDCP found on HD DVD and Blu-ray discs via a single cable, HDMI simplifies cabling and allows users to transform their PCs into home entertainment solutions with full HD 1080p visuals, said Asustek. This will allow users to enjoy popular HD video content on large-screen TVs/monitors. Additionally, the bundled HDMI to DVI conversion adapter allows users to support DVI outputs.The Quad-Display output of the P5E-V HDMI allows users to utilize four monitors for increased multi-tasking work efficiency by not wasting time switching between programs, pointed out Asustek. With just an add-on graphics card, users will be able to easily work on up to four different applications in full screen mode and instantly quadruple desktop space.Splendid Video Intelligence technology delivers optimized video performance with intelligent contrast, saturation, hue and brightness corrections. Compared with other software color enhancement solutions, Splendid is a dedicated color processor with zero CPU utilization. It detects activation and usage of RGB graphic applications and automatically optimizes image quality to bring out vivid colors and detailed images for the best visual results for videos or game play, according to the company.Also supported is Precision Tweaker 2 – an Asustek exclusive technology that can automatically provide 0.02v per step adjustments to the northbridge voltage, FSB termination voltage, CPU PLL voltage and the DRAM voltage to optimize overclocking performance. Asustek motherboards with HDMI specifications Model P5E-V HDMI P5E-VM HDMI Chipset Intel G35/ICH9R Intel G35/ICH9R Memory DDR2 800/667/533MHz DDR2 800/667/533MHz FSB 1333/1066/800MHz 1333/1066/800MHz VGA Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3500 integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3500 integrated Quad Display support: HDMI/DVI-D, D-sub and with a discrete Graphics card Dual Display support: HDMI/DVI-D and RGB Maximum shared memory of 384MB Maximum shared memory of 384MB Expansion Slot Two PCI Express x16 supports CrossFire Technology One PCI Express x16 One PCIe x1 Two PCI-E x1 Three PCI One PCI Source: Company, compiled by Digitimes, October 2007Asustek P5E-V HDMI motherboardPhoto: CompanyAsustek P5E-VM HDMI motherboardPhoto: Company

Billion Electric recently announced its new security gateway, the BiGuard 50G, to cater to small to medium business demand for Internet security.The BiGuard 50G boasts a dual-WAN gateway function that also delivers a secure wireless environment via a built-in 802.11g access point, allowing the setup of a wireless network with data encryption, according to the company.The BiGuard 50G supports load balancing and auto fail-over to keep always-on Internet sharing. The BiGuard 50G supports up to 50 secure IPSec VPN tunnels. WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK and WEP support offers data protection and WLAN access control, noted Billion.The BiGuard 50G also includes firewall security features such as SPI, DoS attack prevention and URL content filtering to provide protection for Internet access. Furthermore, the firewall function provides an email alert service to notify users whenever an attack occurs.The Billion Electric BiGuard 50G security gatewayPhoto: Company

Foxconn recently announced the release of its P35AP-S motherboard, aiming to bring more connectivity and digital entertainment capability to the high-end market.The P35AP-S adopts the Intel P35 chipset and offers support for both DDR3 and DDR2 memory. The motherboard also features combo memory circuit designs, which can deliver excellent memory performance in both DDR2 and DDR3 configurations, according to the company.The P35AP-S has been engineered for high-performance computing with long-term operating stability, according to Foxconn. A 100% solid capacitor and ferrite choke design improves component reliability and enables operation at higher frequencies with less heat generation, a key factor in overclocking performance, stated Foxconn.Other enthusiast features include onboard CMOS and on/off/reset buttons, FoxOne Windows-based system monitoring and overclocking utility and extensive BIOS tuning capability via the Fox Central Control Unit (FCCU) BIOS menu.Foxconn's Dual Digital Audio feature provides high-quality sound output via digital or analog I/O, and allows users to split two sound sources to independent outputs. Audio from a movie and a game, for example, could be split via digital fiber and coaxial S/PDIF outputs for professional home cinema equipment, or via analog 7.1 channel audio and the front panel headphone output. Foxconn P35AP-S motherboard specification Item Detail CPU support Intel Core 2 Quad, Core 2 Extreme, Core 2 Duo, Pentium Dual-Core, Celeron, Pentium D, Pentium 4 processors and Intel's next generation 45nm multi-core CPUs FSB support 1333/1066/800MHz Memory Dual channel DDR3 1333/1066/800 memory up to 4GB or dual channel DDR2 1066/800/667 memory up to 8GB Expansion Two PCI Express x16 with ATI CrossFire support Two PCI Express x1 slots Three PCI slots Form Factor ATX Source: Company, compiled by Digitimes, October 2007Foxconn P35AP-S motherboardPhoto: Company

Transcend has released a new addition to its aXeRam family – a DDR2 1200+ 2GB dual-channel overclocking kit with custom aluminum heat sinks. Like its DDR2 1066+ and DDR2 800+ siblings in the aXeRam line, DDR2 1200 aXeRam memory uses premium quality DRAM chips and offers great performance, claimed the company. The memory can achieve 1200MHz speeds with power consumption of 2.2V, according to Transcend.Designed for gamers and power users, Transcend's 2GB DDR2 1200+ aXeRam memory kit includes a matching pair of speed-tested and verified 1GB DDR2 1200MHz (PC2 9600) modules with all-new high performance polished aluminum heat sinks. To ensure compatibility, all aXeRam modules use six-layer PCBs that fully comply with JEDEC standards, the company said.Transcend's aXeRam DDR2 1200+ memory also includes Enhanced Performance Profiles (EPP), a time-saving feature which allows users to automatically configure EPP-enabled motherboards with aggressive memory settings for better memory and system performance.Transcend aXeRam DDR2 1200+ 2GB dual-channel overclocking kitPhoto: Company

Onda Communications, in cooperation of Siano Mobile Silicon and CyberLink, has unveiled a mobile digital TV (MDTV) plus modem card, the DT501HS, which supports DVB-H and HSDPA for PC and notebook markets.The new TV/modem card will provide on-the-go access to a range of high-quality multimedia and data communication applications including movies, music and sports, highlighted the company.The product interfaces with the notebook or PC via USB 2.0 and does not have an external antenna, adopting instead Siano's SMS8021 antenna chip.The DT501HS will be introduced at TIM (Telecom Italia Mobile) retail stores in Italy next month.

Royal Philips Electronics on October 24 debuted two Ambisound series DVD home theater systems, the HTS8100 and HTS6600, for launch in the Taiwan soon at recommended retail prices of NT$39,900 (US$1,225) and NT$32,900 respectively, according to Philips Taiwan.Demand for home theater audio systems each year in the Taiwan market is 40,000-50,000 units, and this is being pushed up by the growing use of LCD TVs, Philips Taiwan indicated.Philips' Ambisound DVD home theater systemsPhoto: Company

OCZ Technology Group announced the new 500W StealthXStream power supply to offer a sufficient source of power for mainstream gaming PCs. Qualified under the the Power Management division at PC Power & Cooling, the StealthXStream is built for reliability at an affordable price point, according to the company.The PSU is kept cool with a large 120mm fan and features a standard ATX power supply form factor to accommodate virtually all computer towers.The PSU provides universal input and active PFC effectively regulate input voltage across worldwide power grids and maintain an economical, yet stable supply of power, said OCZ.OCZ 500W StealthXStream PSUPhoto: Company

Dell announced the XPS 420, a premium multimedia desktop PC that features Dell-exclusive Adobe Elements Studio software pre-installed, while announcing a new 20-inch widescreen flat panel display with a built-in webcam.The XPS 420 is powered by multi-core Intel processors and choice of an ATI or Nvidia graphics card. The exclusive Dell Xcelerator option can get recorded video ready for portable devices up to 25% faster while reducing the burden of video conversion up to 86%. The price of the desktop PC starts at US$1,499.The 20-inch SP2008WFP display is designed for a wide variety of immersive multimedia experiences and features an ultra-fast response time of 2ms grey-to-grey for complex gaming and motion video without ghosting and delays. The display is combined with TrueLife technology, which provides vivid color reproduction and a higher contrast ratio as compared to the same display with an anti-glare coating.The display also includes an integrated 2 megapixel webcam with microphone, ideal for online chat and instant message sessions, voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) setups and online gaming. The SP2008WFP display is available immediately with a starting price of US$280. Dell XPS 420 desktop PC specifications Item Detail CPU Intel Core 2 Duo/Core 2 Extreme and upcoming 45nm CPUs with FSB up to 1333MHz Memory Dual channel DDR2 667/800 memory up to 4GB VGA 768MB DDR3 Nvidia GeForce 8800GTX 256MB DDR3 Nvidia GeForce 8600GTS 256MB ATI HD 2600 XT 128MB ATI HD 2400 PRO Chipset Intel X38 chipsets Source: Company, compiled by Digitimes, October 2007Dell XPS 420 desktop PCPhoto: CompanyDell SP2008WFP 20-inch displayPhoto: Company