Tech News

• New CYBERPOWERPC Zeus HTPC Series - The Ultimate HTPC

  Published: Wednesday, July 10, 2013 | By: Dennis

  CITY of INDUSTRY, CA (July 9, 2013) – CyberPower Inc. www.cyberpowerpc.com, a global manufacturer of custom gaming PCs,  today announced the Zeus HTPC, a sleek new series of Windows-based home-theatre PCs that can double as your primary desktop.
  
  The Zeus HTPC combines the compact and stylish design of a home theatre system with the power and performance of a gaming PC. The Zeus HTPC is your DVR, enthusiast home theatre PC, gaming console and DVD/Blu-Ray Player all in one thin micro-ATX chassis that fits perfectly in your home theatre stack or on your desk. The chassis utilizes a passive cooled heatsink technology paired with razor fins for maximum heat dissipation and minimal noise. CYBERPOWERPC will offer six Zeus HTPC models.

  
  
  
  The Zeus HTPC is a multimedia monster powered by your choice of a 4th Generation Intel® Core™ processor or AMD APU to provide easy access to all your favorite multimedia applications from PC gaming and movie streaming to surfing the web. Combined with discrete graphics with the AMD Radeon HD 7750 users can dive into the latest PC gaming titles in full HD and beautifully rendered graphics in rich detail.
  
  CYBERPOWERPC took special care to ensure the Zeus HTPC is seen and not heard. The system delivers silent operations even at maximum loads with its passively cooled chassis and optional silent edition video card. The only thing users will hear is the crisp sound of their game, movie or TV program and not annoying background fan or system noise.
  
  In spite of its sleek design, which measures just 17.125x15.35x2.75 inches (L× W×H), the Zeus HTPC is the quintessential multi-purpose system with a host of features, including Windows Media Center compatibility. The Zeus HTPC’s on-board IR receiver makes it easy and convenient to connect the system to you favorite remote. Buyers also have the option of adding the InfiniTV Cable Tuner card or other TV tuner options, which can record live TV in high definition. The Zeus HTPC can record up to four channels simultaneously so you can watch want you want when you want.

  The Zeus TV Pro A100 powered by an AMD APU is priced at $699 and features:

  • AMD A8-6400K Quad-Core CPU
  • 8GB System memory
  • 1TB 7200 RPM HDD
  • Slot-loading DVDRW
  • 802.11n WiFi
  • Media Center Remote
  • Logitech K400 Wireless Keyboard with built-in Touchpad

  The Zeus TV Pro i100 powered by a 4th Generation Intel® Core™ processor starts at $895 and includes:

  • Intel® Core™ i5-4430 Quad-core Haswell CPU
  • 8GB system memory
  • 2TB 7200 RPM HDD
  • Slot-loading DVDRW
  • 802.11n WiFi
  • Media Center Remote
  • Logitech K400 Wireless Keyboard with built-in Touchpad

  All six Zeus HTPC models can be customized with a number of performance hardware and component upgrades such as CPU/GPU upgrades, solid state drives, hard drive, performance gaming memory, gaming peripherals, business productivity software, and more at the company’s website, www.CYBERPOWERPC.com.
  
  All CYBERPOWERPC gaming PCs include an industry best 3-year limited warranty.

  Full ArticleVisit Website

• New CYBERPOWERPC Zeus HTPC Series - The Ultimate HTPC

  Published: Wednesday, July 10, 2013 | By: Dennis

  CITY of INDUSTRY, CA (July 9, 2013) – CyberPower Inc. www.cyberpowerpc.com, a global manufacturer of custom gaming PCs,  today announced the Zeus HTPC, a sleek new series of Windows-based home-theatre PCs that can double as your primary desktop.
  
  The Zeus HTPC combines the compact and stylish design of a home theatre system with the power and performance of a gaming PC. The Zeus HTPC is your DVR, enthusiast home theatre PC, gaming console and DVD/Blu-Ray Player all in one thin micro-ATX chassis that fits perfectly in your home theatre stack or on your desk. The chassis utilizes a passive cooled heatsink technology paired with razor fins for maximum heat dissipation and minimal noise. CYBERPOWERPC will offer six Zeus HTPC models.

  
  
  
  The Zeus HTPC is a multimedia monster powered by your choice of a 4th Generation Intel® Core™ processor or AMD APU to provide easy access to all your favorite multimedia applications from PC gaming and movie streaming to surfing the web. Combined with discrete graphics with the AMD Radeon HD 7750 users can dive into the latest PC gaming titles in full HD and beautifully rendered graphics in rich detail.
  
  CYBERPOWERPC took special care to ensure the Zeus HTPC is seen and not heard. The system delivers silent operations even at maximum loads with its passively cooled chassis and optional silent edition video card. The only thing users will hear is the crisp sound of their game, movie or TV program and not annoying background fan or system noise.
  
  In spite of its sleek design, which measures just 17.125x15.35x2.75 inches (L× W×H), the Zeus HTPC is the quintessential multi-purpose system with a host of features, including Windows Media Center compatibility. The Zeus HTPC’s on-board IR receiver makes it easy and convenient to connect the system to you favorite remote. Buyers also have the option of adding the InfiniTV Cable Tuner card or other TV tuner options, which can record live TV in high definition. The Zeus HTPC can record up to four channels simultaneously so you can watch want you want when you want.

  The Zeus TV Pro A100 powered by an AMD APU is priced at $699 and features:

  • AMD A8-6400K Quad-Core CPU
  • 8GB System memory
  • 1TB 7200 RPM HDD
  • Slot-loading DVDRW
  • 802.11n WiFi
  • Media Center Remote
  • Logitech K400 Wireless Keyboard with built-in Touchpad

  The Zeus TV Pro i100 powered by a 4th Generation Intel® Core™ processor starts at $895 and includes:

  • Intel® Core™ i5-4430 Quad-core Haswell CPU
  • 8GB system memory
  • 2TB 7200 RPM HDD
  • Slot-loading DVDRW
  • 802.11n WiFi
  • Media Center Remote
  • Logitech K400 Wireless Keyboard with built-in Touchpad

  All six Zeus HTPC models can be customized with a number of performance hardware and component upgrades such as CPU/GPU upgrades, solid state drives, hard drive, performance gaming memory, gaming peripherals, business productivity software, and more at the company’s website, www.CYBERPOWERPC.com.
  
  All CYBERPOWERPC gaming PCs include an industry best 3-year limited warranty.

  Full ArticleVisit Website

• NL: Review Block - Random Stuffs Part Dux

  Published: Wednesday, July 10, 2013 | By: Dennis

  Sometimes some reviews coming along that baffle the mind, they are just so out there that you cannot fathom and they say being able to fathom is rather important.

  Storage
  - Western Digital Se 4TB Review @ TechwareLabs
  - Icy Box IB-WF200HD @ Rbmods

  Epic Chassis Design
  - Fractal Design Arc Midi R2 @ techPowerUp
  - Cooler Master N400 Computer Case @ Modders-Inc

  Cooler
  - NZXT Kraken X60 All-in-One Water Cooler Review @ Madshrimps

  Power Supply
  - Thermaltake SMART M750W Power Supply Review @ APH Networks

  Elitist Video Cards
  - Palit GeForce GTX 780 Super Jetstream review

  More web reviews after a click from our sponsor.

  Full ArticleVisit Website

• Cooler Master Storm Havoc Gaming Mouse Review @ Techgage

  Published: Wednesday, July 10, 2013 | By: Dennis

  The other day I was playing a little Borderlands 2 and thought to myself. Would a different mouse change my experience with this game?  After some deep thought and a few reverse kill streaks on a raid boss I came to the conclusion that the only difference it would make is if didn't work or didn't exist.

  Of course what that has to do with this review, I have no idea.

  In our review of CM’s Sentinel Advance II gaming mouse last year, we found it to be a feature-filled product that was also comfortable to use, but it fell short of earning our wholehearted recommendation. This time around, we've got the SA II’s direct replacement, Havoc. Will the new kid on the block surpass its predecessor?

  Nice looking mouse though, form fitting and with a great name.

  Full ArticleVisit Website

• Inside the Box: A look at Borderlands 2 Mission Editor

  Published: Monday, July 8, 2013 | By: Dennis

  Articles like this are really good on a number of levels.  First you get to see a glimpse into what it takes create a mission after it has been storyboarded.  This would include actual game programming and take into account art direction (at some point).  This is followed up with a look at actual game engine programming and how things are timed.  The one thing I have discovered about games after playing Borderlands 2 is that no matter how good the level design is there are always repeated elements based on "time".  For instance when you have completed the game every time you visit the "Bank" in Sanctuary you hear Lilith, Brick and Mordecai talking about what to do next. 

  This happens every time and its because the game time hasn't advanced.  Every time you come back after exiting the game the interaction is reset.  This quote kinda sums it up.

  

  If the level just loaded was Sanctuary, but Hunting the Firehawk isn't yet complete, then the Lilith that lives in Sanctuary is destroyed. This is because even though her Pawn is placed in the Sanctuary level, the story says she isn't supposed to be there yet. Likewise, if the level just loaded was Frostburn Canyon, but this mission is complete (i.e. the story says she's moved to Sanctuary), then the Lilith in Frostburn Canyon is destroyed. Don't worry, I'm told the process is humane and she doesn't feel a thing.

  The article is a little long but worth a read if you are interested, or just love all Borderlands 2 related stuff.

  Full ArticleVisit Website

• Inside the Box: A look at Borderlands 2 Mission Editor

  Published: Monday, July 8, 2013 | By: Dennis

  Articles like this are really good on a number of levels.  First you get to see a glimpse into what it takes create a mission after it has been storyboarded.  This would include actual game programming and take into account art direction (at some point).  This is followed up with a look at actual game engine programming and how things are timed.  The one thing I have discovered about games after playing Borderlands 2 is that no matter how good the level design is there are always repeated elements based on "time".  For instance when you have completed the game every time you visit the "Bank" in Sanctuary you hear Lilith, Brick and Mordecai talking about what to do next. 

  This happens every time and its because the game time hasn't advanced.  Every time you come back after exiting the game the interaction is reset.  This quote kinda sums it up.

  

  If the level just loaded was Sanctuary, but Hunting the Firehawk isn't yet complete, then the Lilith that lives in Sanctuary is destroyed. This is because even though her Pawn is placed in the Sanctuary level, the story says she isn't supposed to be there yet. Likewise, if the level just loaded was Frostburn Canyon, but this mission is complete (i.e. the story says she's moved to Sanctuary), then the Lilith in Frostburn Canyon is destroyed. Don't worry, I'm told the process is humane and she doesn't feel a thing.

  The article is a little long but worth a read if you are interested, or just love all Borderlands 2 related stuff.

  Full ArticleVisit Website

• Gainward GeForce GTX 650 Ti BOOST 2GB GS @ NikKTech

  Published: Monday, July 8, 2013 | By: Dennis

  Here is a blast from three months ago, the GTX 650 Ti Boost, this time from Gainward and is a Golden Sample no doubt!

  With the recent release of the GeForce series 7 graphics cards NVIDIA has once again taken the crown for the single most powerful graphics processing unit and although many of us hope that AMD can bring something to match them soon for the sake of competition (and in turn lower prices) things are not that easy. Regardless however although all three cards announced in the series 7 are quite remarkable not everyone has the ability to get one and so with series 6 prices naturally taking a significant hit this just might be the best time for people to invest on one of the previous generation models. Today on our test bench we have the last addition in the GeForce series 6 line by Gainward the 650 Ti BOOST 2GB Golden Edition.

  I really miss the days when Gainward was a strong supporter of the Red PCB, they may not have been good for the environment but, damn did they stand out.

  Full ArticleVisit Website

• Gigabyte Z87X-UD3H Motherboard Review @ HiTech Legion

  Published: Friday, July 5, 2013 | By: Dennis

  There is a book of a quote to follow this one sentence about the review.

  

  The Gigabyte Z87X-UD3H is outfitted with impressive high-end features at a mainstream price. The Gigabyte Z87X-UD3H utilizes Ultra Durable 5 Plus technology, including the use of 10K solid Japanese capacitors, 2x Copper PCB, gold plated CPU brushes, ESD protection on USB and Ethernet ports with one fuse per port design, as well as International Rectifier PWM controllers and PowIRstage ICs.  Unlike other mainstream Z87 mainboards, the Gigabyte Z87X-UD3H has a total of ten USB 3.0 ports for unprecedented connective flexibility and also implements On/Off Charge 2 technology for rapid mobile device charging. Users who want to tune their system performance further will find the quick onboard buttons handy, including voltage read-out points, digital debug display, OC PEG, clear CMOS button, dual BIOS switch, as well as onboard power and reset buttons.

  I sometimes wonder why there is a UD4H version of this motherboard,  The included features are often very similar and performance can be called "the same".  Of course after much debate, drinking and a good nights sleep I have come to the following conclusion.

  Because.

  Yes, Much like Mr. Torgue's question about "Explosions?" I have determined that UD3H and UD4H exist because they must.  One is more beefy for overclocking while the other is more cost efficient.  

  Full ArticleVisit Website

• Nvidia sees limited shipments of Tegra 4

  Published: Friday, July 5, 2013 | By: Dennis

  There is a delicate balance between getting your work out there and knowing when you actually included enough stuff.  In my world beyond the hardware I am often challenged to know when a design is done, does it have enough of this, is there too much of that.  More often than not the design is excatly what is needed but there are times when things are rushed and just don't feel finished.

  I think that is what happened with nVidia.

  Although Nvidia has successfully landed Tegra 4 orders from brand vendors such as Toshiba, Asustek Computer and Hewlett-Packard (HP) for their high-end products, because shipment volumes are still limited, sources from the upstream supply chain believe Nvidia may need to wait until the release of its next-generation Tegra 4i processor with integrated 4G LTE support to turn the tables
  
  Nvidia's Tegra 4 has advantages in terms of performance, but because of its high price, most brand vendors have turned to choose solutions from China-based makers or MediaTek, which offer strong performance/price ratios.

  No built in 4G LTE in a mobile phone chip?  Seems like a huge deal breaker to me and something that should have been considered from the beginning.  Then again, Tegra has always been a better tablet processor than brain for your mobile phone.

  Full ArticleVisit Website

• Happy Fouth of July!

  Published: Friday, July 5, 2013 | By: Dennis

  Well, its a day late but I hope everyone had a safe and sane fourth.  As always count your fingers and toes, if they are all there then it was a good holiday.

  More tech news in the pipeline so, grab a beverage and relax its going to be a awesome long weekend.

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