SiS and PCChips jointly announced that the PCChips P33G motherboard is based on SiS' SiS671FX chipset and has been certified Windows Vista compatible and currently is being mass-produced.The P33G motherboard uses a SiS671FX northbridge and SiS968 southbridge and supports Intel Core 2 Duo, Celeron D processor with FSB (front side bus) of 1066, 800 and 533MHz plus support for single channel DDR2-667/533 memory up to 4GB. The motherboard also has a built-in Mirage 3 graphics core to support Windows Vista with 2D and 3D performance.The SiS968 fully supports PCI Express x1 interface and has two independent integrated SATA ports. The motherboard has eight built-in USB 2.0 ports and functions like HDA (high definition audio). P33G motherboard specifications Item Detail CPU LGA775 socket for latest Intel Core 2 Duo/ Celeron D processors FSB 1066/800/533 MHz Chipset SIS 671FX/968 VGA Embedded Mirage3 Graphics with 256M share memory Memory 2 x 240-pin DIMM sockets support two DDR2 SDRAMs (DDR2 667/533) Maximum: 4GB Expansion Slots 1 x PCI Express x 16 slots 1 x PCI Express x 1 slot 2 x PCI slots 1 x CNR slot LAN AC131 10/100Mbps Fast Ethernet PHY Audio Realtek ALC660 6-channel High Definition audio Codec Source: Company, compiled by DigiTimes.com, April 2007PCChips' P33G motherboardSource: Company, April 2007
Toshiba recently announced its Satellite A135-S4527, a sub-US$800, 15.4-inch diagonal widescreen notebook computer.Keeping multimedia enthusiasts and families in mind, the Satellite A135-S4527 sports a 120GB removable serial ATA hard disk drive. The Satellite A135-S4527 is built around a 15.4-inch diagonal widescreen display, and is equipped with a standard DVD Super Multi optical drive for watching DVDs and burning data and personal multimedia projects to one of 11 major DVD/CD formats, including double layer media, noted Toshiba.Preloaded with Windows Vista Home Premium, the Satellite A135-S4527 incorporates the Intel Pentium dual-core processor and has 1GB of DDR2 SDRAM memory.With a starting estimated single unit price of less than US$800, the Satellite A135 notebook line is available in multiple configurations at a variety of major consumer electronics and computer stores in the US as well as Toshiba's online store.The Satellite A135 notebook series comes with a standard one-year limited warranty, which includes carry-in support at Authorized Service Providers, or the customer may utilize any of the more than 3,000 UPS stores for packaging and delivery of the product to a centralized depot for prompt service. Customers can also choose to upgrade their notebook's service plans for up to four years of extended service.The Toshiba Satellite A135-S4527 notebook computerPhoto: Company
Intel has introduced the Core 2 Extreme processor QX6800, the company's twelfth quad-core processor offering.Running at 2.93GHz – the fastest native clock speed yet reached with the Intel Core microarchitecture for the quad-core desktop – the QX6800 is for gamers, digital design professionals and enthusiasts, said Intel.Some of the year's high-profile game titles such as Crytek's Crysis, Gas Powered Games' Supreme Commander and Flagship's Hellgate London have undergone substantial joint engineering efforts with Intel to use more than two processing threads to their advantage, highlighted Intel.The Intel Core 2 Extreme processor QX6800 is also appealing to media users and developers; Adobe, Cakewalk, DivX, Sony Creative Software and other developers have delivered applications that use all four cores, enabling media professionals to capture creativity quickly and reliably, noted Intel. According to the company's figures, the Core 2 Extreme quad-core processor QX6800 is up to 65% faster than the Intel Core 2 Extreme dual-core processor X6800 on video encoding.The QX6800 is produced on Intel's 65nm process, key to enabling the 8-megabyte cache. A 1066MHz system bus is supported and the processor is available now at a cost of US$1,199.Intel Core 2 Extreme processor QX6800Photo: Company
Coolermaster's X Craft 360 provides a storage solution for 3.5-inch hard disk drives (HDDs) with hot swap capability for frequent data transfers.Featuring a tool-free 10 second installation, the X Craft 360 does not use internal cables and the patented non-scratch SATA (NSS) connector can support hot-swapping a HDD at least 50,000 times, according to the company.The X Craft 360 converts to any 3.5-inch PATA (IDE) HDD into a USB 2.0 Hi-Speed connection (480Mb/s) to a PC by its plug and play and hot-swappable functions. It also supports data transfer rates up to 1.5Gb/s or 3.0Gb/s for SATA hard disks.The HDD enclosure comes with a portable protection caddy with a rewritable nameplate and a vertical stand to keep the enclosure in an upright position.The Coolermaster X Craft 360 hard disk drive enclosurePhoto: Company
Plextor recently announced the immediate availability of the TurboPlex PX-800A DVD Super Multi Drive. Fully compatible with the new Windows Vista operating system, the new DVD±R/RW CD-R/RW drive features 12X DVD-RAM and a software bundle that includes Roxio Easy Media Creator 9, according to the company.The Plextor PX-800A drive features an E-IDE ATAPI interface for easy connectivity with personal computers running the Microsoft Windows 2000/XP/Vista operating systems. The PX-800A drive also supports 12X-speed DVD-RAM functionality for removable data storage applications. A user simply inserts a blank DVD-RAM disc and the system automatically formats the disc and assigns a driver letter. Users can drag-and-drop files, use the "save as" command, and remove the disc, which can then be read in any PC or desktop player with a drive that supports the DVD-RAM format, noted Plextor.The PX-800A internal multi-drive delivers DVD recording speeds of 18X DVD±R on single-layer media, 8X DVD±R on double-layer and dual-layer (DL) media, and 12X DVD-RAM. The drive also supports 8X DVD+RW, 6X DVD-RW, 16X max DVD-ROM, 48X CD-R/RW/ROM, 12X DVD-RAM. DVD±VR is supported for direct disc recording, while DVD+RW background format eliminates the need to manually format a DVD+RW disc, noted Plextor.The PX-800A multi-drive features a 2MB buffer and buffer underrun proof technology to prevent buffer underrun errors and allow multi-tasking.Plextor's bundled software package offers ease-of-use and extensive functionality for Windows 2000/XP/Vista computers, according to Plextor. The PX-800A drive ships with Roxio Easy Media Creator9 software suite for burning video, music, photos, and data to DVD or CD.Plextor's PX-800A drive ships to distributors in North and South America in April 2007, with a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of US$79.00. All retail packages include one-year full warranty and unlimited toll-free technical support.
OCZ Technology Group recently announced a high-speed version of the new OCZ Reaper HPC memory line, a PC2-9200 rated kit, making it one of the world's fastest memory that takes advantages of a heatpipe design to effectively offload heat and increase performance and stability. This unique Reaper HPC (heat pipe conduit) heatspreader is engineered to deliver superior silent heat dissipation over traditional heatspreaders, according to OCZ.As part of one of OCZ's high performance memory designs, PC2-9200 Reaper HPC modules are designed to achieve exceptionally high frequencies while maintaining aggressive timings and system stability, claims OCZ.The Reaper HPC is an innovative cooling solution developed by OCZ to effectively minimize heat produced by high-speed memory. As heat rises into the thermo-conductive copper heat pipe conduit, it is dissipated through the strategically-placed compact aluminum fin array. By guiding performance-robbing heat away from key memory components, the unique Reaper HPC design helps facilitate improved overclocking performance, while improving longevity and stability of the modules.The PC2-9200 Reaper HPC modules are optimized for the latest cutting edge motherboards and will be available in 2GB (2x1024MB) dual channel kits. Like all OCZ premium memory, the PC2-9200 Reaper series is backed by a lifetime warranty and technical support.The OCZ PC2-9200 Reaper HPC memory module with passive coolingPhoto: Company
D-Link recently announced the immediate availability of its smaller form factor notebook ExpressCard adapters and desktop PCI Express adapters using the latest draft 802.11n wireless network technology. The D-Link Xtreme N Notebook ExpressCard (DWA-643) is designed for notebooks now being sold by major brands such as Dell, HP, Toshiba, Gateway and others offering users an easy upgrade to the future of wireless technology, according to D-Link. For desktop PCs, D-Link now offers the DWA-556 Xtreme N PCI Express (PCIe) draft 802.11n desktop adapter.Both adapters are powered with the fast speeds and greater range of connectivity made possible by the latest draft of the wireless networking standard, 802.11n. The smaller slots equipped on the newer-generation notebooks and desktops are designed for all future industry-standard wired and wireless ExpressCards and PCIe adapters.Designed for use in larger homes and offices or for multiple bandwidth-intensive applications, the DWA-556 desktop adapter features three external antennas to provide higher performance than 802.11g technology while maintaining backward compatibility to 802.11g and 802.11b networks, according to D-Link.Both adapters are designed to enhance network communications by allowing high-definition media streaming, file sharing, enhanced Internet phone calling (VoIP) and Web surfing. They also support advanced network security encryption (WEP, WPA or WPA2) and come with D-Link's Quick Adapter Setup Wizard software.Both the DWA-556 and DWA-643 are now available through D-Link's network of retail stores, online outlets and online store at a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of US$149.99 and US$119.99, respectively.The D-Link Xtreme N Notebook ExpressCard (DWA-643)Photo: Company
Thermaltake recently announced its latest BlueOrb-series CPU cooler, the BlueOrb FX, designed specifically for those looking to modify or overclock their PC.Based on the cooling capability of the BlueOrb II, the BlueOrb FX adds an LED display function to show the current temperature of the fan and noise level around the fan. The over-sized but silent 120mm blue LED fan not only provides ambient lighting that illuminates the inside of the chassis but also provides real time system status, according to Thermaltake. The CPU cooler supports Intel LGA 775 and all AMD AM2 CPUs.The patented radiant design not only cools the CPU but also helps to cool the surrounding VRM as well. The crotched fin design allows BlueOrb FX to have a aluminum fin count of up to 140 fins which provides maximum heat dissipation, stated the company.The Thermaltake BlueOrb FX CPU cooler, side viewPhoto: CompanyThe Thermaltake BlueOrb FX CPU cooler in actionPhoto: Company
Thermaltake Technology has announced its Cyclo Series of specialized fans with attractive LED lighting.The Cyclo Series fans will be available in two categories, Logo and Pattern, both with 120×120mm and 80×80mm specifications. Both 120mm and 80mm fans are engineered with a low-noise bearing mechanism to minimize overall noise output at 17dBA and 19dBA, and the transparent shield cover not only protects user from being accidentally hurt by the fan blade but also extending the reliable life span of the fan, noted the company. During operation, Cyclo Logo Series fans utilize a built-in LED placed uniquely to display "Thermaltake" wording, current temperature and noise level at the same time and have a blue LED in the background to further enhance the overall visual effect.Cyclo Pattern Series fans are available in Blue or Red. Both fans will display over ten patterns during operation utilizing the built-in LEDs.The Thermaltake Cyclo 120mm Logo fanPhoto: Company
SanDisk has introduced a new line of high-performance industrial grade memory cards aimed specifically at the industrial market. In addition to fast read and write speeds, the cards provide a high level of durability and reliability for industrial applications such as industrial single-board computers, telecom equipment, point-of-sale (POS) systems and other mission-critical applications, claims the company.Key features of SanDisk Industrial Grade CompactFlash 5000 cards include:Durability: SanDisk industrial grade CompactFlash 5000 can withstand severe weather conditions, shock, high altitude (up to 80,000 feet) and rigorous vibrations and complies fully with MIL-STD-810F.Reliability: SanDisk's flash management technology and IP portfolio provide dynamic and static wear leveling algorithms and dynamic bad block mapping, including advanced error detection and correction code (EDC/ECC) to ensure high data reliability.Performance: Sustained read/write speeds are both 30 megabytes (MB) per second, making this one of the fastest in the industry for industrial grade cards of this type.Extended temperature range: SanDisk industrial grade CompactFlash 5000 products can operate at temperatures ranging from -25 degrees C to +85 degrees C.Scalability: SanDisk industrial grade CompactFlash 5000 products are available in 512MB, 1GB, 2GB, 4GB and 8GB capacities, which are completely interchangeable without additional integration.Engineering samples of SanDisk industrial grade CompactFlash 5000 cards are now available to OEM customers for evaluation with mass production slated to begin by the end of May.SanDisk industrial grade CompactFlashPhoto: Company