Tech News

• Ivy Bridge Hardware Review Block - The Big'en

  Published: Tuesday, April 24, 2012 | By: Dennis

  Unless you have been living in the past or under the AMD rock you will likely have heard about the new LGA1155 "tock" processor release codenamed, Ivy Bridge.  Ivy is a process improvement update to the popular Sandy Bridge that shrinks the die and also introduces the notion of a 3D transistor.
  
  The promise is lower power consumption and slightly better performance.  Overclockers have already started setting records using the new proc while most hardware sites are claiming that its only worth the upgrade if you are a generation older than Sandy.
  

  Reviews from the web
  - ASRock Z77 Extreme 6 with Ivy Bridge @ Ocaholic
  - Intel HD 4000 Ivy Bridge Graphics On Linux @ Phoronix
  - Intel Core i7-3770k – Ivy-Bridge Review on Technic3D
  - Intel Core i7-3770K 3.5GHz Ivy Bridge Processor Review @ Legit Reviews
  - Intel Core i7-3770K Ivy Bridge: Performance Preview and Overclocking @ APH Networks
  - Ivy Bridge on air: The Core i7-3770K overclocked on four motherboards
  - Intel's Core i7-3770K 'Ivy Bridge' processor reviewed at TR
  - Intel Core i7 3770K Ivy Bridge Review @ HCW
  - Intel Core i7-3770K Ivy Bridge Processor Review @ HotHardware
  - Intel Core i7 3770K Ivy Bridge Linux Performance @ Phoronix
  - Intel Core i7 3770K (Ivy Bridge) @ Bjorn3D
  - Intel Core i7-3770K Ivy Bridge CPU and DZ77GA-70K Motherboard Review @MissingRemote
  - Intel i7-3770K Ivy Bridge @ LanOC Reviews
  - Intel Core i7-3770K Ivy Bridge Launch Review @ HardwareHeaven
  - Intel i7 3770K Ivy Bridge CPU Review @ Hardware Canucks
  - Ivy Bridge: Core i7 3770K and Core i5 3570K @ Ocaholic
  - Intel Core i7 3770K / Core i5 3570K / Core i5 3550 Ivy Bridge review @ Hardware

  I'm still waiting for my 3770K processor to arrive, and when it does, watch out!

  Full ArticleVisit Website

• Ivy Bridge CPUs, 28nm graphics cards facing shortages at launch

  Published: Monday, April 23, 2012 | By: Dennis

  This always seems to be the story, hot new tech is about to hit the market and there isn't enough to go around.

  Although Intel is ready to launch and sell its upcoming Ivy Bridge-based processors soon, shipments of the processor are estimated to be lower than expected with the possible driver being either low capacity or yield rates, and the situation is forcing Intel to adjust its processor shipment proportions for notebook and desktop platforms, according to sources from PC players, which added that Nvidia and AMD are also facing shortage issues for their 28nm graphics cards.
  
  Although Intel will start selling its Ivy Bridge processor on April 29, the limited supply of Ivy Bridge processors means it is not expected to be able to satisfy downstream PC vendors' strong demand.
  
  In May and June, Intel is already to launch 13 processors including Core i7 3770K, Core i7-3770, Core i5-3570K and Core i3-3240 and will launch 10 more models under its Core i5, Core i3 and Pentium series.

  Put me down for a 3770K they seem to be really hot right now. 

  Full ArticleVisit Website

• Why Windows 8 Is a Huge Gamble for Microsoft

  Published: Friday, April 20, 2012 | By: Dennis

  It is no secret that Windows 8 is going to be a junk OS for the desktop but it's not stopping them from shipping it this fall, at least according to PCMag.

  Windows 8 officially goes on sale this fall, but Microsoft has made its next-generation operating system available online for anyone who wants a sneak peek at the future of Windows. With a slick new interface of touchable, customizable tiles, the new Metro interface is built to help Microsoft compete in the fast growing tablet market.

  Maybe this next comment is fueled by a love for Windows 2000 but the start menu really does work well for finding and launching programs.  It also allows you to keep your desktop clean for shortcuts and other antics.  So why change it?  I think we can blame Apple for this one and the "me too" nature of humans.

  The funny thing is you don't see Apple adding touch interfaces to OSX so I'm not sure why Microsoft is going this direction unless they aren't expecting people to upgrade right away and just want to, how they say, "get this one off.

  Full ArticleVisit Website

• NVIDIA to Launch GeForce GTX 690 Before May 5

  Published: Thursday, April 19, 2012 | By: Dennis

  nVidia posted a cryptic photo on their facebook page the other day and didn't indicate anything beyond that "it's coming".  Many speculated that it was a photo of the new GTX 690 while others thought it was a new chassis.

  
   

  I find it hard to believe that it is a chassis but if you lighten the photo it really does look like the top oc a computer case.  Still I am skeptical and it would seem that other hardware sites are speculating as well.

  It turns out that the cryptic picture posted on NVIDIA GeForce Facebook page indeed is a teaser for NVIDIA GeForce GTX 690, a dual-GPU graphics card based on two GK104 GPUs. Several independent sources told SweClockers that NVIDIA is preparing to launch this SKU "in the week beginning April 30,"

  The timing is in line with the next GPU release and nVidia has been known to try things like this in the past "just to shake things up"  So either it be a chassis (which nVidia has NEVER released aside from licensed designs made by CM and TT) or the latest in high performance vidual computing, the fact remains, we'll have to wait and see.

  Full ArticleVisit Website

• COD Black Ops 2 To Be Revealed on May 2

  Published: Thursday, April 19, 2012 | By: Dennis

  I caught this story when trolling twitter this morning and have to credit TPU for the alert.  It would look like the next installment in the Black Ops franchise will be released May 2nd.

  A source among retailers leaked a poster to Kotaku, which flashes a date, 05-02-12, along with a caption that reads "Return for Debriefing". Kotaku predicts that the date on the poster is more likely a reveal date than a release date.

  GIven how crappy the first Black Ops was AND that the same company is making Black Ops 2 AND that there is no indication that they are going to use a new game engine I'm thinking that I will not only NOT buy this game but I might even boycott it.

  I think the first two comments on TPU sum up my position nicely.

  ...and on that day, not even a single fuck was given.

  Thank you sir! Seriously how many of these damn games are they gonna make!

  Ya....

  Full ArticleVisit Website

• Titan Fenrir Siberia TTC-NC55TZ(RB) Heatsink Review @ Frostytech

  Published: Thursday, April 19, 2012 | By: Dennis

  This might be one of the coolest heatsinks I have seen in a really long time, and I have seen a bunch.  Basically this is a twin tower cooler with one tower laying flat while the second is vertical and blowing air over the first.  Of course the benefit here is longer heatpipes and the promise of more room around the base of the cooler.  Let's see if they made that happen.

  Top down cooling has its advantages, though tower cooling is usually the preferred method given its compact footprint. In this review Frostytech is testing out a heatsink from Titan that aims to satisfy both tower and top-top heatsink designs, in one. The Titan Fenrir Siberia Edition TTC-NC55TZRB heatsink is built around five 8mm diameter copper heatpipes which extend in two directions from a copper base block to independent fin stacks, essentially making one large CPU cooler from separate 'tower' and 'top-down' heatsinks.

  I haven't seen much from Titan lately, though after seeing this cooler I might hit them up at Computex this year.

  Full ArticleVisit Website

• NL: Review Block - Input Devices (4/17/2012)

  Published: Tuesday, April 17, 2012 | By: Dennis

  Personally I never liked reading input device reviews, much for the same reason I only skim thru video card reviews that claim they "do real world playability testing".  So much of what they claim is personal perception. 

  For instance when it comes to keyboards I like the Microsoft Natural Elite.  Not the new 3000 (it tweaks my wrists), not the original but the Elite.  I know plenty of people who can't type on them and think I'm sort of freak by nature for demanding one. 

  Lucky for us, gaming keyboards are more than just something you type on

  Keyboard Reviews
  - CM Storm Trigger Mechanical Gaming Keyboard @ techPowerUp
  - CM Storm QuickFire Pro Gaming Keyboard Review @ Techgage
  - QPAD MK-80 Keyboard Review on Technic3D
  - Enermax KW001 Briskie Keyboard mouse combo review
  - Corsair Vengeance K90 & M90 MMO/RTS Keyboard and Mouse Review @ Legit Reviews

  We have the CM Storm Trigger and Roccat keyboards in the labs right now so look for our reviews of these great gaming devices soon.

  Full ArticleVisit Website

• Thermaltake Massive23 GT Review @ XtremeComputing

  Published: Tuesday, April 17, 2012 | By: Dennis

  With a name like Massive23 you would think that this Thermaltake product would solve world hunger, save the whales and balance your checkbook.  In reality it can just keep your laptop from burning your junk.

  Although laptop technology has improved dramatically over the last decade heat continues to be a problem for many laptops to cope with. Heat build-up in a laptop (as in any device) Can degrade both performance of the device and longevity of its components, and in laptops and notebook form factors can seriously effect battery life and processor and GPU capabilities degrading speed of operation and physically damaging components.

  200mm fan, Check!
  Metal top, Check!

  On the surface it seems this cooler is quite solid, or is it?  Check out the review to find out.

  Full ArticleVisit Website

• Crytek Takes Aim with Crysis 3

  Published: Monday, April 16, 2012 | By: Dennis

  Gotta love this, a new Crysis released even before Crysis 2 got cold. 

  CRYTEK TAKES AIM WITH CRYSIS 3
  
  REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – April 16, 2012 – The hunted becomes the hunter! Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA) and award-winning developer Crytek GmbH, today announced Crysis® 3, the premier sandbox shooter experience of 2013. Powered by Crytek’s proprietary CryENGINE®, Crysis 3 advances the state of the art with unparalleled visuals and dynamic shooter gameplay. Players take on the role of ‘Prophet’ as he returns to New York, only to discover that the city has been encased in a Nanodome created by the corrupt Cell Corporation. The New York City Liberty Dome is a veritable urban rainforest teeming with overgrown trees, dense swamplands and raging rivers. Within the Liberty Dome, seven distinct and treacherous environments become known as the Seven Wonders. This dangerous new world demands advanced weapons and tactics. Prophet will utilize a lethal composite bow, an enhanced Nanosuit and devastating alien tech to become the deadliest hunter on the planet.

  This version of the game is set in the year 2047 where Prophet begins his revenge mission to take down Cell Corporation after finding out the truth behind quarantined Nanodomes.

  I really did like Crysis 2 but stopped playing shortly before the DX11 texture pack was released and well before the game was moved to Origin (which sucks btw).  That hasn't stopped EA from offering preorder bonus packs included in the Crysis 3 Hunter Edition

  Full ArticleVisit Website

• Team Ninjalane Emergency Overclocking Session

  Published: Friday, April 13, 2012 | By: Dennis

  One of the great things about HWBot is that it is constantly changing.  For instance you submit a monster SuperPi score worth X points only to have it devalued a week later.  These sorts of things impact your total score and also can move teams up and down in the rankings.  Of course the only way to ensure your place in the global ranks is to always be benching and working towards getting the most points wherever you can.
  
  In an attempt to reclaim some lost points Redmax will be hosting an emergency overclocking session this Saturday (4/14/2012 Starting @ 12:00 MST).  Be sure to tune in and see what it takes to run at Core I7 3960X on a Single Stage Phase cooler.

  Full ArticleVisit Website