Asustek has announced the Silent Knight 2 CPU cooler that utilizes 100% copper for its fins, base and heat pipes; and dynamic fan speed control to deliver efficient heat dissipation for the latest quad-core processors. The Silent Knight 2 is an all-copper CPU cooling solution that utilizes the natural heat conducting properties of copper. With its large heat exchange area, lightweight design to relieve stress on the motherboard, and six curved heat pipes to transfer heat to the fins, processor temperature is maintained at levels most suitable for high-performance and reliable computing, said Asustek. Additionally, the Silent Knight 2 also incorporates a PWM function fan that automatically modulates fan speeds according to the CPU temperature.The Silent Knight 2 supports the Intel Core 2 Extreme series, Pentium D and Pentium 4 processors; as well as the AMD Athlon 64-FX, Athlon and Sempron processors.The voltage regulation shield inside the cooler directs airflow created by the 9cm LED fan to surrounding VRM (voltage regulation modules) that are critical to processor operations and overall system reliability. This unique design effectively reduces VRM temperature by 10-15-degrees Celsius. Asustek Silent Knight 2 CPU cooler specification Item Detail CPU support Intel Core 2 Extreme, Core 2 Quad, Intel Core 2 Duo, Pentium D, Intel Pentium 4, Celeron D processors and AMD Athlon 64 X2/ FX, AMD Athlon 64 and Sempron processors Cooler dimension 115(L) × 140(W) × 110(H) mm Connector 4-pin with PWM control Heat sink material Copper base + copper fins + 6 copper heat pipes Fan dimension 92 × 92 × 25mm Fan speed 2,300 rpm ± 10% Bearing type Sleeve bearing Source: Company, compiled by Digitimes, September 2007Asustek Silent Knight 2 CPU coolerPhoto: Company

GeCube is shipping the HD2600XT X2 Gemini 3 offering dual ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT performance in a single card.The HD2600XT X2 Gemini 3 also features built-in HDMI with HDCP decoder to support UVD (Universal Video Decoder) video processing plus ATI Overdrive and quad-CrossFire technologies. The HD2600XT X2 Gemini 3 Simultaneous Quad DVI display also dramatically increases the productivity of enterprise and high-end workstation users. The Quad DVI multi-display configuration permits working with multiple full-screen documents or applications simultaneously.The graphics card is available in two versions – 1GB onboard memory at US$279 and 512MB onboard memory at US$259. GeCube GC-D26XT2-F5 graphics card specification Item Detail GPU ATI Radeon HD 2600XT (RV630XT) × 2 (65nm) Core/Memory 800MHz / 1.0GHz Unified shader Yes Shader model 4.0 Memory bus 128-bit Memory type GDDR2 1GB or 512MB Interface PCI Express x16 TV-out S/HDTV-out DVI Quad DVI (Dual Link, HDCP) D-Sub Yes (by dongle) Integrated audio Multi-channel audio (5.1 surround) by DVI to HDMI dongle Lots HDTV by S to YPbPr cable (Optional) Multi-VPU Support Self CrossFire enable Cooling Dual-slot Fansink Source: Company, compiled by Digitimes, September 2007GeCube GC-D26XT2-F5 graphics cardPhoto: Company

Samsung Electronics recently announced new F9 series LCD TVs including one 52-inch and one 70-inch model, which use LED backlighting technology. The two models are being shown at IFA 2007 (Aug 31- Sep 5) in Berlin, Germany.The full HD TVs feature a dynamic contrast ratio of 500,000 to 1 and brightness of 450 nits. In addition, because the TVs use LED technology, they are some of the most environmentally friendly TV options available, claimed Samsung. Samsung was also able to achieve significant reductions in power usage, more than 30%, according to the company.The F9 line also comes with Wiselink USB 2.0 for handy connections to digital cameras and digital music players, and three HDMI connections that allow the users to take advantage of the Full HD capability of their various components, such as Blu-ray players, game consoles, and HD camcorders.The 52-inch versions come equipped with Samsung's Auto-wall mount feature, allowing the viewer to easily change the viewing angle up to 20-degrees side to side and 15-degrees down using the remote control. Specification of Samsung LED-based TVs Screen Size (inch) 52 70 Panel Resolution 1920×1080 1920×1080 Brightness 450 nit 500 nit Contrast ratio 500,000 : 1 500,000 : 1 LED smart lighting O O Wide color enhancer O O MoviePLUs O O Sound Sub-Woofers (2.2 Ch.) O O Sound Output (RMS) 15W × 2 15W × 2 Sound effect system SRS TruSurround XT SRS TruSurround XT Convenience HDMI Rear/Side 2/1 2/1 Wiselink USB 2.0 USB 2.0 HDMI Version 1.3 1.3 Anynet+ O O Wall-Mount Support O (Auto Compatible) O (Manual Only) Source: Samsung Electronics, compiled by Digitimes, September 2007Samsung new F9 LCD TV seriesPhoto: Company

Taiwan-based industrial PC (IPC) maker Axiomtek unveiled a new low power EPIC form factor single board computer (SBC), the EP821, which has a built-in Intel Pentium M compliant chipset, the Intel 915GME/910GMLE with ICH6M.The EP821 is equipped with a PCI-104 slot for 32-bit PCI interface add-on cards. Additionally, the board offers the option of four COM ports and dual LVDS LCD output, which allows for popular display solutions for transaction terminals such as those used in self-service gas pumps and point of sale (POS) terminals.The EPIC board supports low voltage Intel Pentium M and ultra low voltage Intel Celeron M processors running at 400MHz and 533MHz FSB (front side bus) for fanless capability. Under the Intel Product Dealer (IPD) commitment, the EP821 is guaranteed to be shipped for the long term. Axiomtek EP821 single board computer specification Item Detail CPU support Intel Pentium M/Celeron M processor with 400/533MHz FSB Output DualView with different content and resolution Network Dual Gigabit LAN Interface Four USB 2.0 ports Four COM ports supported PCI-104 expansion Source: Company, compiled by Digitimes, August 2007Axiomtek EP821 single board computer based on EPIC form factorPhoto: Company

Edimax Technology recently introduced new products based on the IEEE 802.11n Draft 2.0V specification (Wi-Fi draft-n), an Internet broadband router BR-6504n paired with a wireless USB adapter EW-7718Un.The router features 2T x 3R technology to support multiple wireless transmissions with data transmission rates up to 300Mbps, said the company. The machine also supports WPA and WPA2 encryption technology and includes a DHCP server for functionality and Anti-Dos firewall to protect the network safety. Edimax BR-6504n Internet broadband router specification Item Detail Ports 1WAN and 4LAN with 10/100Mbps UTP Flash 4MB NOR Flash RAM 16MB SDRAM Button For WPS / Reset Antenna RP - SMA detachable antenna (3dbi) Size 30 × 187 × 100mm Certified by CE, FCC, NCC Source: Company, compiled by Digitimes, September 2007Edimax BR-6504n Internet broadband routerPhoto: Company

Asustek Computer has published a list of motherboards that it says will be compatible with the upcoming AM2+ CPUs from AMD. The first available will be the M2A-VM with others to follow in the near future.The candidate motherboards on the list will be able to support next-generation AMD CPUs after applying BIOS updates which will become available on the Asus website, the company said. Asustek AM2+ CPU compatible motherboard list Model CROSSHAIR M2N32-SLI Premium Vista Edition M2N32-SLI Deluxe/WiFi AP M2N32 WS Professional M2N-SLI Deluxe M2A-VM HDMI M2N-E SLI M2N-E M2N-VM DVI M2R32-MVP Source: Company, compiled by Digitimes, September 2007Asustek M2A-VM motherboardPhoto: Company

Cooler Master has announced its Cosmos 1000 high performance PC chassis. The flagship chassis combines a sleek looking exterior and a clean interior design for optimal thermal performance and efficient noise reduction, according to the company.The Cosmos design team used the principles of Hi-Fi equipment to solve noise issues in high-end systems, stated Cooler Master. It transformed the audio equipment stand into a progressive aluminum tube stand, thus eliminating resonance by providing three-to-five times the bending strength, explained the company.The Cosmos enhances conventional cooling by utilizing the concepts of stack and negative pressure effects. In addition, the chassis also features an air filtered dual-bottom air intake ventilation design, thermal hard disk drive (HDD) pads, excess room for additional 120mm fans and built-in slots for liquid cooling solutions, noted the company.Cooler Master Cosmos 1000 high performance PC chassisPhoto: Company

Foxconn (Hon Hai Precision Industry) officially announced the launch of its first true overclocking motherboard, Mars, which will be the first in a new product line called Quantum Force. The new product line will be dedicated to overclocking and gaming enthusiasts, according to the Foxconn.Based on the Intel P35 chipset, Mars has been specially tuned for overclocking performance, and has undergone extensive testing and trials by some of the world's leading overclockers before release to retail customers in September, stated Foxconn.Mars will be available in the channel from early September with a suggested retail price of around US$230. Mars motherboard specifications Item Details CPU Support Skt775 for Intel Core2 Quad, Core2 Extreme, Core2 Duo, Pentium Dual-Core E2xxx, Celeron 4xx, Pentium D, Pentium 4 processors Supports Intel next generation 45nm Multi-Core CPUs FSB support 1333/1066/800MHz Memory Supports 4 x 240-pin DIMM of 1.8 Volt Dual Channel DDRII 1066/800/667, 8GB max. memory capacity Expansion 1 PCI Express x16 slot & 1a PCI Express x4 slot with CrossFire support 2 PCI Express x1 slots 3 PCI bus slots Connectivity 1 eSATA, 6 SATAII, 2 IEEE1394a, 12 USB2.0, 1 ATA RAID RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 10 with Intel Matrix Storage Technology and Intel Rapid Recover technology Audio 7.1 channel HD audio Networking Gigabit LAN BIOS & special features Gladiator BIOS with OC Gear, OC Recover, Cool Fan control Onboard CMOS & On/Off/Reset buttons AEGIS Panel Cool Pipe (heatpipe solution) 100% solid capacitor design EasyPin Form factor ATX Source: Company, compiled by Digitimes, September 2007Foxconn's Mars motherboardPhoto: Company

The Shuttle XPC Prima SP35P2 Pro which we first saw around Computex 2007 has been launched. The Shuttle XPC Prima SP35P2 Pro is an Intel P35 based system supporting 1333MHz FSB CPUs and up to 8GB of DDR2 800 memory, which Shuttle says can overclock to 1066MHz.With the SP35P2 Shuttle has tried to step up its design to bring it in line with features most other motherboard makers are currently offering. Updates include all solid capacitors for better stability and reliability, and a heat-pipe cooling system that covers key system components such as the north and southbridges, which Shuttle calls Oasis.The SP35P2 is equipped with an 80 PLUS certified power supply making it more energy-efficient and as it is a Pro model it offers a couple of value-added features such as USB Speed-Link technology to allow easier file sharing between two PCs and a fingerprint scanner for added security.Shuttle XPC Prima SP35P2 ProPhoto: Company

Hewlett-Packard (HP) on August 30 launched a series of high-end notebook PCs in Taiwan, targeting the business segment. The newly launched models include the 17-inch HP Compaq 8710w mobile station and the 12-inch LED backlight HP Compaq 2710p tablet notebook.HP is also considering introducing 20-inch consumer notebooks in the Taiwan market by the end of this year, indicated sources at HP Taiwan.With demand for business notebooks in Taiwan expected to pick up strongly in the September-November period, HP sees there is potential for large-size and tablet models, said Dennis Chen, general manager of HP Taiwan's personal systems group.Sales of HP business notebooks in Taiwan grew by 80% on year in the first half of this year, and the company is aiming to have a 100% on-year growth in the second half, stated Chen.Overall, the business notebook segment in Taiwan increased by 10% on year in the second quarter, Chen added.In the Taiwan market, HP has outperformed Lenovo to become the number three vendor of business notebooks since the first quarter of this year, trailing only after Asustek Computer and Acer, Chen claimed.The HP Compaq 2710p carries a suggested retail price of NT$66,900 (US$2,021), while the HP Compaq 8710w is priced at NT$99,900 (US$3,018). HP's Compaq 2710p tablet notebookPhoto: John Hsu, Digitimes