GeCube has announced its ATI Radeon HD2000 family of graphics cards, including its high-end HD2900XT and HD2600 and HD2400 cards for the mainstream market, while TUL has also announced the launch of its related high-end graphics card.The announcement of products from both companies comes on the heels of AMD's launch of its ATI Radeon HD 2000 series of graphics processing units (GPUs), which was launched as a challenge to Nvidia's GeForce 8 series. The 2900, 2600 and 2400 GPUs were previously referred to by their codenames R600, R610, and R630, respectively.The HD2900XT is GeCube's premium product based on ATI's new generation Radeon HD2000 series. The HD2900XT is based on the R600XT, supports 512MB of GDDR3 memory and has a 512-bit memory bandwidth. The HD2900XT also offers native CrossFire technology and comes with built-in support for HDMI and 5.1-surround sound. The dual-link DVI is also compatible with HDCP (high-bandwidth digital content protection), HD-DVD and Blu-ray for resolutions up to 1080p. The core and memory timings are 740MHz and 1.65GHz, respectively, allowing the card to provide the latest 24X anti-aliasing and high speed 128-bit HDR (High Dynamic Range). The architecture is designed with 320 unified stream processors and physics processing support.The HD2600 series uses the ATI Radeon RV630XT chipset equipped with 512MB GDDR4 high-speed memory and X-Turbo2 silent fan technology, while the HD2400 uses the ATI Radeon RV610 chip equipped with 256MB DDR2 memory and has built-in HDMI. Both the GeCube HD2600 and HD2400 cards support the latest UVD (Universal Video Decoder) video processing technology, which means 1080p/1080i (HD2600), Blu-Ray and HD-DVD are all supported. All GeCube HD2000 series products also currently support the latest DirectX10 technology. TUL also announced its next-generation high-end graphics card, the PowerColor HD 2900 XT, based on the R600XT. The PowerColor HD 2900 XT features support for 700 million-transistor clocks at 740MHz and 512MB GDDR3 memory running at 1650MHz. The card also supports DirectX 10 games, and comes with built-in HDMI for single HD display and audio connection.TUL's PowerColor HD 2900 XT is currently available in the market, with a worldwide launch price of US$399 (NT$16,500), while GeCube stated that the 2900 XT is also already available in the market at a price of NT$14900. GeCube's launch dates and pricing for the 2600 and 2400 cards have not been confirmed yet, the company indicated. PowerColor HD 2900 XT hardware specification Item Detail Chip R600XT Core clock 740 MHz Memory clock 1650 MHz Memory type GDDR3, 512MB Memory bus 512-bit Source: Company, compiled by Digitimes, May 2007 Hardware specification: GeCube HD2900XT, HD2600, HD2400 Product Name GC-HD2900XT-VIE3 GC-RX26XTG4-E3 GC-HD24PLG2-D3 Chip R600XT (80nm) RV630XT (65nm) RV610LE (65 nm) Core/Memory speeds 740MHz /1.65GHz 800Mhz/TBD TBD Memory bus 512 bit 128 bit 64 bit Memory type GDDR3 512MB GDDR4 512MB DDR2 256MB Interface PCI Express x16 PCI Express x16 PCI Express x16 DVI Dual DVI (2 dual link, HDCP) Dual DVI (2 dual link, HDCP) Yes (dual link) Multi-VPU Support Native CrossFire thru interconnected cable Native CrossFire thru interconnected cable Yes (software mode) Source: Company, compiled by Digitimes, May 2007

Micron Technology announced that its 1Gbit DDR3 have been validated with Intel desktop platforms. This DDR3 is being fabricated on Micron's 78nm 6F² process, which results a smaller die size premium over DDR2 compared with 512 megabit (Mb) products. offer lower power on modules that can utilize either 512Mb or 1Gb and meet the minimum system density requirements of 1GB. Micron's DDR3 products support data rates of 800 megatransfers per second (MT/s) to 1,066 MT/s with clock frequencies of 400MHz to 533MHz, respectively, doubling the speed from DDR2. The DDR3 supply voltage has been reduced from 1.8V to 1.5V, reducing power consumption by up to 30%. Evaluation samples of Micron's 1Gb DDR3 components are available to select customers with production expected to begin early next year. Micron's 1Gb DDR3 components will be available in various output configurations (x4, x8 and x16), and will be fully compliant with the most recent JEDEC DDR3 specifications. These components will support module densities from 512MB through 4GB and a variety of module types, including UDIMMs, SODIMMs, and RDIMMs. A 2Gb DDR3 device is also expected to be available from Micron early next year, the company added.

Samsung Electronics has announced that 21 of its DDR3 solutions have been validated on Intel's reference platform to work with Intel's next generation (Bearlake) chipsets. This is the largest number of DDR3-based solutions to have passed the validation program.Samsung's Intel-validated solutions include 13 modules and eight monolithic devices in combinations of 512Mb/1Gb densities with speeds of 800 or 1066Mb/s.Samsung said it has worked very closely with Intel to develop the most advanced and comprehensive set of DDR3 memory solutions as early as possible in preparation for the next generation of Intel chipsets.Samsung Electronics will exhibit at Microsoft's WinHEC 2007 Conference on May 14-15 a high-performance desktop PC installed with 8GB of memory, consisting of four 1333Mb/s 2GB DDR3 memory modules. This 1333Mb/s 8GB configuration is currently the fastest speed and largest density for a DDR3 chip, making it the optimal memory solution for PCs with advanced gaming features, said Samsung.DDR3 memory will provide at least twice the bandwidth of today's primary memory- DDR2-with data transfer rates now up to 1.6Gb/s. This will enable much improved 3D graphics, which will directly benefit users of the new Windows Vista operating system.DDR3 also improves the efficiency of multi-threading operations, which will enhance the performance of multi-core systems. DDR3 not only allows for higher system performance, but it also uses only 1.5V of power compared to the 1.8V of DDR2, thereby extending battery life in notebooks. To further optimize system thermal management, DDR3 modules can utilize a thermal sensor on the DIMM.Samsung DDR3 modulesPhoto: Business Wire

Elpida Memory has received Intel's validation for its DDR3 main memory based on the G33 chipset (Bearlake) reference platform. The testing validates that Elpida's DDR3 memory can run on Intel's reference platform and recognizes the excellent quality and reliability of Elpida products, said the memory maker.Since completing development of its DDR3 SDRAM in August 2005, Elpida has been delivering DIMM samples and developing high-speed, low-power circuit technologies. Elpida has taken advantage of its development of DDR3 memory to proceed with the start-up of the DDR3 memory platform based on close cooperation between Intel and Elpida which has already resulted in the shipment of tens of thousands of sample DIMMs to Intel for validation testing.Elpida believes that securing the Intel validation has demonstrated that it can quickly enable its next-generation DDR3 memory platform.The first application of DDR3 memory will be in high-end desktop PCs but is likely to later replace DDR2 memory in notebook PCs and servers.Elpida is now shipping SO-DIMMs for notebook PCs and is preparing for volume shipments of registered DIMMs for servers by making this product available to chipset vendors and major customers for evaluation.Also, not only has the DDR3-1066 received Intel's validation but also operations of DDR3-1333 have been confirmed. The 1Gbit DDR3 memory using 70nm process technology will be coming soon, and will enable higher speed products like the DDR3-1600.Elpida DDR3 memoryPhoto: Business Wire

BenQ has introduced the 14-inch Joybook S41 notebook based on Intel's new Centrino platform (Santa Rosa). The notebook will launch in Taiwan by the end of May.The Joybook S41 adopts the Intel PM965 chipset with support of Intel Core 2 Duo processors.The Joybook S41 uses the Nvidia GeForce 8600M GS discrete graphics card with 1GB TurboCache technology for the multimedia output which provides an HDMI (high definition multimedia interface)..The notebook features a 14.1-inch widescreen LCD display using UltraVivid technology to increase brightness and lower the reflections. BenQ Joybook S41 specifications Item Detail CPU Intel Core 2 Duo T7100 Chipset Intel PM965 VGA Nvidia GeForce 8600M GS (Maximum 1GB TurboCache) Memory DDR2 from 512MB up to 2GB Display 14.1-inch (WXGA 1280×800) Source: BenQ, compiled by Digitimes, May 2007BenQ Joybook S41Photo: Company

Dell announced the launch of its Latitude D630, D830 and D531 notebooks. The Latitude D630 and D830 are based on Intel's Santa Rosa platform and feature the latest Intel Core 2 Duo processors, while the D531 is based on AMD's Turion 64 and Sempron processors.With features such as next-generation wireless technologies and extended capacity batteries, the Latitude D630 and D830 help increase performance and battery life, according to Dell. The D630 features a 14.1-inch wide aspect XGA display while the D830 has a 15.4-inch wide aspect XGA display. Both notebooks offer the choice of Intel Turbo Memory cache card or a hybrid hard drive that leverage flash memory to support Microsoft Vista ReadyDrive and help reduce boot time.Dell's mainstream value Latitude D531 features a 14.1-inch wide-aspect displays with TrueLife technology.The notebooks adopt fully encrypted hard drives that enable maximum security with no performance loss, according to Dell, which noted that the new systems deliver energy efficiency with select Energy Star 4.0 compliant configurations.The Latitude D630 is priced starting from US$1,189, while the Latitude D830 has a price starting at US$1,249. The D531 has a price starting at US$839.Dell Latitude D630Photo: CompanyDell Latitude D830Photo: CompanyDell Latitude D531Photo: Company

SiS has announced the recent launch of AcerPower S290 and Aspire SA90 desktop PCs manufactured by Acer. But systems utilize SiS chipsets.The AcerPower S290 based on the SiS671/SiS968 chipsets supports Intel Core 2 Duo, Intel Pentium 4 and Intel Celeron D processors, plus DDR2 667MHz memory and SATA 3Gb/s technology, noted SiS. The SiS Mirage 3 GPU is integrated in the SiS671 chipset to enhance the image quality of the PC.The Aspire SA90 implements SiS671/SiS968 chipsets to provide support for Intel Core 2 Duo CPUs with up to 800MHz FSB (front side bus), Intel Pentium 4 and Intel Celeron D processors. It supports DDR2 667MHz and DDR2 533MHz memory plus has integrated SiS Mirage 3 graphics. The Aspire SA90 also has an extra PCI-Express x16 slot for users to upgrade their systems with discrete graphics card.Acer AcerPower S290 Photo: CompanyAcer Aspire SA90Photo: Company

Sony Ericsson has announced four new phones, the T650, T250, S500 and P1.The T650 is a 3G phone that is 12.5mm in thickness and comes with a 3.2-megapixel camera with auto focus. The phone is a dual mode unit with UMTS 2100 GSM/GPRS 900/1800/1900 connectivity. The phone features a 1.9-inch, mineral glass scratch-proof screen, which widens the viewing angle of the screen up to 170 degrees, according to Sony Ericsson. The T650 will be offered in green and blue colors with availability in selected markets from the third quarter of 2007.Sony Ericsson's T250 handset features a VGA-resolution camera and will come in two versions, one with GSM/GPRS 900/1800 connectivity while the other will offer GSM/GPRS 850/1900. The phone will be available in black or silver in select markets in the third quarter.The S500 is a 14mm thick 2.5G slider phone slider phone with GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 connectivity. The S500 features a 2-megapixel camera and has an expandable Memory Stick slot. The handset will be available in either green or yellow colors with availability slated for selected markets from the second quarter.Sony Ericsson's P1 has a 3.2-megapixel camera with business card scanner and features a 2.6-inch touchscreen with a transflective display that is easier to view in bright light conditions. The phone has a dual function keyboard – full alpha-numeric (QWERTY) text input combined with one hand phone usability. The choice of text input methods include handwriting and word completion. The phone comes push email enabled, including support for Exchange ActiveSync and BlackBerry Connect. The P1 also has integrated WLAN and is VoIP enabled. The Sony Ericsson P1 is a Tri-Band GPRS 900/1800/1900 and UMTS 2100 handset with Wi-Fi 802.11b. It will be available in selected markets from the third quarter of 2007.The Sony Ericsson P1Photo: CompanyThe Sony Ericsson T650Photo: CompanyThe Sony Ericsson T250Photo: CompanyThe Sony Ericsson S500 handsetPhoto: Company

Fujitsu announced the release of its Eternus 2000 series, an entry-level addition to its existing line of disk arrays. The new series comes in three compact, power-saving models that offer extensive copying features, including the ability to run backups during regular operations, and can be expanded to handle increased data storage needs. Fujitsu is starting a phased launch of the new series worldwide.Each of the new models comes in a 2U (9cm) rackmount configuration. Reducing the total number of parts in these models has enabled power consumption to be cut by roughly 40%, claims Fujitsu. In addition, the operating noise level emitted by the new series is just 42-decibels, among the quietest in the industry, according to the company.Despite being entry-level arrays, the Eternus 2000 series disk arrays include high-end features, such as advanced copy capabilities and a maximum capacity of 54TB, enabling affordable data backup and storage of increasing data volumes for systems supporting a division of a large corporation or enterprise systems of mid-sized companies, stated Fujitsu.As does the rest of the Eternus series, the new models work with any UNIX or PC server. By enhancing its line of entry-level disk arrays, Fujitsu is responding to the diversity of customer needs in the marketplace.Fujitsu aims to sell 12,100 systems worldwide over the next two years.The Fujitsu Eternus 2000 model 200 disk arrayPhoto: Company

Nokia plans to launch its first GPS-enable handset, the N95, in the Taiwan market in mid-May, Nokia Taiwan said on a May 8 product presentation. The N95 will also be Nokia's first handset that supports HSDPA (high speed downlink packet access), or 3.5G, technology, according to the company.With the N95, users can download maps of Taiwan and other countries via Nokia Maploader software. In Taiwan, Nokia is cooperating with Maction Technologies, which provides GPS navigation maps under its PaPaGo-brand, according to sources at Nokia Taiwan.The current GPS-enabled N95 would be updated to also support AGPS (assisted GPS) technology in the near future, the sources indicated.Worldwide sales of Nokia N-series multimedia handsets reached 10 million units in 2006, the sources noted.Nokia's first 3.5G handset, the N95Photo: John Hus, Digitimes, May 2007