Tech News
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They Say IE 6 is Dead but What Do They Know?
Published: Friday, August 24, 2012 | By: DennisI was trolling thru my logs today, like I do on a regular basis and noticed something strange. It would seem that 242 people (so far) have visited this website using the following browser.
Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.1)
Yep you are reading that correctly. IE6.0, the ugly monger that came with Windows XP. This browser with its tiny throbber quickly became one of the most popular browsers in the world. That is until crafty malware programmers found security holes in the code that could infect your system with viruses and rootkits by simply viewing a banner ad.
For years Microsoft has been trying to force users to upgrade and in the western world those efforts have paid off. Maybe not how they wanted, given the popularity of Firefox and Chrome, but at least users aren't using outdated technology. Sadly there is one region in this world that hasn't gotten the memo, China. China may have one of the largest economies in the world and is responsible for 60% of all manufactured goods but they can't seem to kick the piracy habit and pay for the software they use. Heck they often pirate the stuff they make for others and sell it locally.
As a web developer I know that if I want people to view my websites I need to code for the target browser demographic. Sometimes that means writing extra code to deal with old browser quirks or simply to ignore the problem and allow the page to fail gracefully. Either way it comes down to what I believe in and my level of commitment to my readers. Of course I could be part of the solution and tell my readers to upgrade or stop visiting but somehow that doesn't seem right, even after upgrading the site to HTML5. -
PowerColor to Launch Dual GPU HD 7990 Very Soon? @ Hardware Canucks
Published: Friday, August 24, 2012 | By: DennisIn the hardware world speculation is one topic that tends to sell newspapers (or in this case, get page views) and Hardware Canucks has a monster of a story in store for you.
Hardware Canucks’ web of industry contacts has been abuzz today with information that PowerColor could be launching a supposed dual HD 7970 card named the HD 7990 as early as tomorrow, at a price of $999. While there may still be some confusion among industry sources, after a certain amount of poking and prodding, certain bits of information began to coalesce. First and foremost, PowerColor’s HD 7990 will be a ground up custom design which means there won’t be a reference version available to purchase nor will availability be widespread. We’re actually hearing about the possibility of less than 500 cards worldwide, some sources put the number at a mere 200. This lack of concerted availability is right in line with other custom dual GPU cards like the ASUS Ares and Sapphire HD 4850 X2, as is the astronomical price. At this point, Hardware Canucks can’t be certain about the PowerColor HD 7990’s specifications but logic dictates that it will have 6GB of GDDR5 memory (3GB per GPU) and two full Tahiti XT cores with 2084 Stream Processors each. Naturally, a large-scale custom heatsink will ensure this card runs relatively cool.
Now before you tune out saying "TLDR" let's step back and think about what a dual GPU video card can mean for hardware enthusiasts worldwide and the AMD pocketbook. The article says that this card will be in limited supply (around 500 units) and may sell for a smooth grand (USD). That is about the price of a GTX 690 and a little more than two HD 7970's in Crossfire. So, does it seem like the card worth it?
I'm sure Radeon enthusiasts will think so but lets ask my Overclocked GTX 660Ti's and see what they think
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NL: Review Block - Motherboards, Memory and Video Cards
Published: Wednesday, August 22, 2012 | By: DennisMost hardware sites have one of these posts every day so they can get the news posted quickly. You will find that I do them because I want to clean the news box and feel better about my failures to post news in a timely manner.
I've got a good mix of reviews here including some Motherboards, Memory and Video Processors. Incendently these three items are the building blocks of a modern computer system including that tablet you are reading this on.
Motherboards, Foxconn calls them old man computer parts, I call them needed weapons in the war on being awesome.
- Gigabyte Z77X-UD5H Socket 1155 Motherboard @ Pro-Clockers
- Biostar Hi-Fi Z77X Motherboard @ Hardware Secrets
- ASUS P8Z77-V Pro Intel Z77 Motherboard Review @ ThinkComputers
- ASUS P9X79 Deluxe Motherboard Review @ Legit Reviews
- Gigabyte Z77X-UP5 TH Intel LGA 1155 @ techPowerUp
- Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD3H Motherboard Review @ APH Networks
Memory you know, to help you remember
- G.Skill Trident-X 2400 CL10 Dual Channel RAM Kit @ TechwareLabs
- Corsair Dominator Platinum 2666MHz 16GB DDR3 Memory Review @ HardwareHeaven
Video Card Round-Up
- ZOTAC GeForce GTX 660 Ti AMP Edition
- EVGA GeForce GTX 660 Ti SC review
- ASUS GeForce GTX 660 Ti DirectCU II TOP
- GeForce GTX 660 Ti @ ocaholic
- MSI GTX 660 Ti Power Edition @ Bjorn3DOn a related note, I need a like minded person to help me keep on top of the news. If you're interested contact me via email. You'll find the address on the Contact page. OR you can send me a PM through the Ninjalane Message Forum.
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Dorcy (41-4289) 200-Lumen Tactical LED Flashlight Review @ ModSynergy
Published: Wednesday, August 22, 2012 | By: DennisNot exactly computer hardware but you can never have enough light when working on your computer. I can't tell you how many times I needed to open up the side of my system and couldn't quite see what I was after. Not wanting to unplug everything I set out to find a flashlight.
Had this little guy been nearby I'd have all the light I'd ever need.
The aluminum alloy 200-Lumen Tactical LED flashlight is model number 41-4289 and operates from 3xAAA batteries sporting a bright CREE Q5 LED with an ability of illuminating up to 200-Lumen. The Dorcy eliminates the traditional clicky switch form and decides to use a twist on/off push button pressure sensitive tail cap switch that enables momentary or full on function. Read on to see the other features of the Dorcy (41-4289) and see how it performs for a $39USD LED flashlight.
I like the momentary switch, nice feature for the select few who like to disco.
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ASRock X79 Extreme 11 @ PureOverclock
Published: Tuesday, August 21, 2012 | By: DennisPure black and gold with this motherboard. At first glance it looks like a X79 Big Bang clone but the shorter overall height and compact design are a dead giveaway.
The full array of Z77 motherboards has already been introduced throughout the industry and Ivy Bridge is now a mainstay for Intel. With all the hype and migration, many have forgotten about another viable, and arguably better, computing platform. Yes, the X79 platform is still alive and so are Sandy Bridge “E” processors. ASRock has one of the most comprehensive X79 lineups of all manufacturers, and now the ASRock X79 Extreme 11 has appeared to shake things up further. The Extreme 11 has seven PCIE 3.0 slots (using the PLX PEX 8747 chip), eight SATA III ports and eight USB 3.0 ports. This is on top of a boatload of other features as well. Needless to say, the Extreme 11 is surely built for the performance inclined user.
With the new influx of ASRock reviews I might have to look into getting some of that action. If anything to find out what all the fuss is about.
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How Google+ Punk’d The Oatmeal @ TechCrunch
Published: Friday, August 17, 2012 | By: DennisThis could have gone really bad for The Oatmeal but instead took a funny turn for the best.
The best part might be that somewhere in the Google+ code is a little comment to future engineers about the redirect, noting “Don’t take this out, we’re fucking with The Oatmeal.”
Be sure to check out the rest of the story on TechCrunch.
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MSI N680GTX Lightning review: best GTX 680 overclocking card @ HWinfo
Published: Friday, August 17, 2012 | By: DennisI wouldn't really call this a review of the GTX 680 Lightning but rather an article talking about their overclocking experiences using a video card designed for just that, Overclocking.
MSI did it again. With the N680GTX Lightning they have created the best GeForce GTX 680 graphics card for overclockers, but more than ever it's best suited for seasoned overclockers. Thanks to Nvidia's strange decision, the standard BIOS limits this card to performance you can achieve with standard and cheaper GTX 680s. Only when you download the older BIOS from the internet are you free to explore the overclocking potential of the MSI Lightning.
"Finding a BIOS online" is nothing new for the overclocker and well known sites like TechPowerUp, XtremeSystems, and HWBot regularly host modified BIOS files that have been obtained from the mfg or modified by end users. This is how you combat video cards running slow under LN2 and how you often unlock higher voltage profiles or disable OCP. The process worked because people knew where to look, and mfgs supported it because they knew the files were in the hands of people who knew what they were doing.
It would seem some of that understood trust is now in danger of being violated.
During the latest MOA qualifier the question came up regarding the use of modified MSI Afterburner instances and if those versions would be made available to everyone who wanted to enter. The special version allowed you to set unofficial voltages on the HD7970 Lightning and was how the skilled overclockers were posting such insane scores. Up until that competition I had no idea the special version existed and was exactly how MSI wanted it.
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nVidia GTX 660 Ti Launch Day
Published: Thursday, August 16, 2012 | By: DennisIts the middle of summer and how better to celebrate than release the anticipated GTX 660Ti mid-range graphics card. The card brings Kepler archiecture to the mainstream with some great gaming features like Adaptive VSync and TXAA and some amazing overclockability either from the factory or when coupled with your favorite clock tweaking software.
Be sure to check out our review(s) of the GTX 660Ti including the MSI N660Ti PE/OC and Gigabyte GV-N66TOC-2GD
For its latest graphics card, Nvidia has taken the GeForce GTX 680, shaved off a couple of Xbox 360s worth of performance, and slashed the price to $299. Don't worry, the GeForce GTX 660 Ti still has 14 or so Xboxes worth of performance left. Here's how it compares to the latest Radeons, including the newly boost-enhanced 7950. -Tech Report
Reviews from around the web
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 Ti Round-Up: ZOTAC, Gigabyte, EVGA and MSI @ HotHardware
- EVGA GeForce GTX 660 Ti SuperClocked Video Card Review @ Hardware Secrets
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 Ti Video Card Review w/ ASUS, EVGA & MSI @ Legit Reviews
- Nvidia GeForce GTX 660 Ti Review- Gigabyte's Windforce OC Edition
- Funky Kit Review: Gigabyte GTX 660Ti OC Version
- Palit Gigabyte and MSI GeForce GTX 660 Ti reviews with 2/3-way SLI
- Zotac GTX 660 Ti AMP! Edition @ PureOverclock
- MSI GTX 660 Ti Power Edition @ PureOverclock
- Gigabyte GTX 660 Ti Windforce @ PureOverclock
- Asus GTX 660 Ti Direct CU II TOP Review
- Nvidia GTX 660 Ti review – including SLI and 3-way SLI
- NVIDIA GTX 660 Ti Review @ Hardware Canucks
- ASUS GeForce GTX 660 Ti DirectCU II Top @ ocaholic
- Palit GeForce GTX 660 Ti JetStream 2 GB @ techPowerUp
- ASUS GeForce GTX 660 Ti Direct CU II 2 GB @ techPowerUp
- Nvidia's GeForce GTX 660 Ti graphics card reviewed @ TR
- MSI GeForce GTX 660 Ti Power Edition 2 GB @ techPowerUp
- EVGA GTX 660 Ti Superclocked 2Gb @ LanOC Reviews
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 Ti Overclocked Launch Review @ HardwareHeaven
- ZOTAC GeForce GTX 660 Ti AMP! Edition 2 GB @ techPowerUpBe sure to check back later for a great article showing the 2-way SLI performance of the GTX 660Ti including some amazing overclocking tests fit for HWBot.
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How to Make Your Own Cat5e Network Cable @ Techgage
Published: Thursday, August 16, 2012 | By: DennisHere is a little something that everyone should know how to do. It doesn't matter what walk of life you stroll you will eventually be put in a situation where you have to "plug in" and the cable you need may not be available.
The question is. What will you do?
Despite their simplicity, pre-made networking cables are expensive - especially if you're in need of outfitting your entire house. Luckily, making your own cables isn't only far less expensive, but easy, and perhaps even a little bit fun. If you're still unsure, read on as we explain the entire process from start to finish.
I am well versed in the art of Cat5 cable making; I wired my house and two small offices. In my house every room (two drops each) all went to a central media panel, from there I needed to wire up the keystones and make 24 patch cables to connect the keystone (and room) to the switch. Once that was complete I had to make patch cables for every device and computer that needed network access.
It was a long boring process but I memorized one thing.
Orange-White, Orange, Green-White, Blue, Blue-White, Green, Brown-White, Brown.
That is the proper way to wire a Cat5 plug and how it will be for years to come.
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NL: Review Block - Storage, Chassis, Sound and Chillin (a great combo)
Published: Thursday, August 16, 2012 | By: DennisIt is time for another sweet edition of NL (<- Ninjalane) Review Block goodness where we list some of the news and reviews that landed in the email inbox. Most of these are to sites we consider friends, and others are to sites we just consider.
Memory and Storage Solutions
- Six USB 3.0 Flash Drives Reviewed @ Custom PC Review
- Crucial Ballistix Smart Tactical 2x4GB DDR3-1866 MHz CL9 @ ocaholic
- Funky Kit Review: Crucial M4 mSATA 256GB SSD
- OCZ Agility 4 256 GB @ techPowerUp
- Kingston V200 Review - 128GB @ HCW
- Kingston HyperX 240GB SSD Review @ Custom PC Review
- Kingston HyperX 64GB Flash Drive @ Techreaction
- Crucial 256GB v4 SATA II Solid State Drive @ Pro-Clockers
- AVEXIR AVD3U16001008G-4CI 32GB C10 1600MHz Memory Kit Review @ Madshrimps
Case and Chassis
- Cooler Master Storm Stryker Case Review @ Legit Reviews
- Diablotek Cyclops Mid Tower Case Review @ ThinkComputers
- MSI Barricade Case @ LanOC Reviews
- Lancool PC-K65 @ HW-Journal
- Corsair Obsidian Series 550D Mid-Tower Case Review @ [H]
Cooling
- Thermaltake Water 2.0 Performer and Pro Water Cooling Kits Review @ OCIA
Smooth Sound
- CM Storm Sonuz Gaming Headset Review @ HardwareLOOK
- Corsair Vengeance 2000 Wireless 7.1 Gaming Headset Review @ Techgage
- Coolermaster Sonuz Headset review @ Rbmods
- CoolerMaster Storm Sonuz Gaming Headset @ PureOverclock
- Siberia V2 USB-Powered Headset - Frost Blue Edition Review @ HardwareHeaven
- CM Storm Sonuz Stereo Gaming Headset Review @ TechgageI'll let you figure out which is which.
