IT-Code-News: IT News HeadLines (TechConnect Magazine) 28/03/2010

Point of View presents GeForce GTX 400 series duo
Dutch graphics card seller Point of View has sent out word that it too is going to release two products based on the GF100 GPU, namely a GeForce GTX 470 and a GTX 480. Nice sticker aside, POV's cards are all stock, meaning they are based on the reference design and have stock clocks.

The GeForce GTX 470 features 448 CUDA Cores, a 320-bit memory interface, a GPU clock of 607 MHz, a shader frequency of 1215 MHz, and 1280MB of GDDR5 memory @ 3348 MHz, while the GTX 480 boasts 480 Cores, a 384-bit interface, 1536MB of GDDR5 VRAM, 60 Texture Units, and GPU/shader/memory clocks of 700/1401/3696 MHz. Both cards include support for DirectX 11, CUDA, PhysX and 3-way SLI, include the 3D Vision Surround technology and provide dual-DVI and mini HDMI connectivity.

Point of View's GTX 470 and GTX 480 should hit stores in about two weeks and cost $349 and $499, respectively.

MSI GeForce GTX 4x0 cards are stock and hot, literally
MSI has entered the weekend as expected, by revealing its own cards based on the GF100 GPU, the N480GTX-M2D15 (GeForce GTX 480) and N470GTX-M2D12 (GTX 470). The slower but still high-end GTX 470 comes with 448 CUDA Cores, a 320-bit memory interface, a GPU clock of 607 MHz, a shader frequency of 1215 MHz, 1280MB of GDDR5 memory @ 3348 MHz, and, of course, support for DirectX 11, CUDA, PhysX and 3-way SLI.

The GTX 480 packs similar features but includes updated specs like 480 Cores, a 384-bit interface, 1536MB of GDDR5 VRAM, 60 Texture Units, and GPU/shader/memory clocks of 700/1401/3696 MHz. Both cards will take up two PCI slots in your PC and provide dual-DVI and mini HDMI outputs. Depending on the SKU bought, you'll get with the cards a full downloadable game - Warmonger, Resident Evil 5, Dark Void or Street Fighter IV.

MSI's N470GTX-M2D12 and N480GTX-M2D15 are expected to become available in just over two weeks priced at $349 and $499, respectively.

CoolIT Omni ALC liquid cooler to have GeForce GTX 400 support
Unveiled at CES 2010 in January, CoolIT Systems' Omni ALC universal graphics card liquid cooling system is set to feature support for the just-launched GeForce GTX 400 series cards, the GTX 480 and GTX 470. Described as a high performance and cost effective universal liquid cooling solution, Omni ALC is made up of a plate with high density micro-channels, a quiet Ceramic bearing CFF1 pump (50,000 hours MTTF), and a 120mm or 240mm radiator. The LCS also comes bundled with low toxicity coolant and high-grade thermal compound.

"When you pair the world's fastest GPU with the first-ever universal GPU liquid cooling solution, the results are visually astonishing," said Geoff Lyon, CEO of CoolIT Systems. "This combination will shatter benchmarks and deliver the most pulse-pounding graphics performance to date."

The GF100-ready Omni ALC is planned for a summer release.

EVGA unveils six GeForce GTX 400 cards, two are watercooled
Nvidia-exclusive card maker EVGA has just announced no less than six cards based on the GF100 40nm GPU - three GeForce GTX 480s and three GTX 470s. All these Fermi-flavored have support for DirectX 11, CUDA, PhysX, 3D Vision Surround and 3-way SLI, boasts dual DVI and mini HDMI outputs, and need additional power via two PCIe connectors.

While four of the models presented are based on Nvidia's reference design, two are quite special as they have dumped air cooling and come equipped with a Hydro Copper waterblock (designed in collaboration with Swiftech) enabling lower temps and higher clocks (yes, the cards are factory overclocked). The block found on the cards features a base plate made of chrome plated electrolytic C110 copper, a 0.6x0.6mm thin pin matrix for 'optimal' thermal transfer, and high flow 1/2" and 3/8" fittings.

EVGA's full GeForce GTX 400 series line is listed below, complete with specs and prices. Currently only the GeForce GTX 470 and GTX 470 SC are available for pre-order.

In addition to revealing its Fermi offer, EVGA has also introduced the OC Scanner, a FurMark-inspired tool that provides real-time monitoring for your GeForce GTX 400 series card, and includes built-in artifact scanning, benchmark functionality and log functionality. The software can be found here for Windows XP, Vista and 7.

GeForce GTX 470

GeForce GTX 470 SuperClocked

GeForce GTX 470 Hydro Copper FTW

GeForce GTX 480

GeForce GTX 480 SuperClocked

GeForce GTX 480 Hydro Copper FTW

CyberPower gaming PCs getting their Fermi on
Not wasting any time, CyperPower has sent out a press release claiming that it is already adopting the GF100-powered GeForce GTX 480 and GTX 470 cards by making them available within the Black Pearl, Black Mamba Fang Series and Gamer Xtreme 3D gaming systems.

Those who can wait until April 7th (the listed availability date), will be able to get PCs featuring single, dual or triple GeForce GTX 400 series cards for a super hot (literally) gaming experience.

CyperPowerÃ¢Â€Â™s Fermi and Fermi-less PC offer can be found @ cyberpowerpc.com.

CyberPower Black Mamba

Nvidia GeForce GTX 400 series cards finally launched
It doesn't matter if it's Friday or Saturday in your time zone, the Fermi has been launched worldwide to finally give some competition to AMD's Cypress-based line-up. Like its predecessors, the Fermi architecture is making its entrance in the graphics card market in the high-end segment through the GF100 40nm GPU (built by TSMC) which powers the GeForce GTX 480 and GTX 470.

Both GTX 400 series cards feature support for DirectX 11, for Nvidia-proprietary technologies like CUDA, PhysX and 3D Vision Surround (3D via three monitors), are 3-way SLI ready, boasts dual-DVI and mini HDMI outputs, dual-slot coolers, and require extra power via two (one 6-pin and one 8-pin on the GTX 480, two 6-pin on the GTX 470) PCIe power connectors.

Spec wise, the 9.5-inch /241 mm long GeForce GTX 470 has 448 CUDA Cores, a 320-bit memory interface, 56 Texture Units, a GPU clock of 607 MHz, a shader frequency of 1215 MHz, 1280MB of GDDR5 memory @ 3348 MHz, and a TDP of 215W.

The 10.5 inch / 267 mm long GeForce GTX 480 includes 480 Cores, a 384-bit interface, 1536MB of GDDR5 VRAM, 60 Texture Units, GPU/shader/memory clocks of 700/1401/3696 MHz, and a TDP of 250W.

According to Nvidia, the GTX 470Ã¢Â€Â™s recommended price tag is $349, while that of the GTX 480 is $499. The cards should be shipping in two weeks, widespread availability being expected for the week of April 12.

To see how good these first Fermi cards are at gaming check out the reviews posted

@ AnandTech
@ HotHardware
@ HardwareHeaven
@ Guru3D
@ Hardware Canucks
@ Hexus (plus SLI tests)
@ TweakTown
@ PC Perspective
@ techPowerUp
@ [H]ard OCP
@ Legit Reviews
@ FiringSquad
@ Legion Hardware
@ ErenumÃƒÂ©rique (French)
@ ExtremeTech
@ bit-tech
@ TechSpot

GeForce GTX 470

GeForce GTX 480

GF100 die (three billion transistors to count)

GPU-Z v0.4.0 comes with GeForce GTX 400 support
Accompanying the debut of Nvidia's first DirectX 11-supporting GeForce models is a new version of the popular graphics card monitoring and information tool GPU-Z. According to its maker the fresh 0.4.0 build brings the following enhancements:

- Added support for NVIDIA GeForce GTX 470 and GTX 480
- Added voltage monitoring for HD 5750, 5830, 5870 Lightning
- Added support for Intel Pineview
- Fixed double memory clock reading on NVIDIA w/ GDDR5 (real clock is now displayed)
- Fixed rounding errors in RV7xx and Evergreen fan monitoring code
- Added tooltip translations for Albanian and Chinese Traditional
- Memory bandwidth calculation uses GB now instead of GiB

GPU-Z 0.4.0 is available for download here.

Spotify expansion into the US planned for Q3
Speaking to Bloomberg, Paul Brown, senior VP of Spotify has revealed that the popular European music service is expected to make its US debut in Q3. Spotify, which provides a catalog of millions of tracks for free via an ad-based system or through a subscription model priced at 9.99 pounds per month, currently has about 7 million users in Europe and is looking to further expand its customer base with the US launch.

Up until now Spotify's business model has proven quite successful so the company is confident that it will sign US-focused licensing deals with most if not all major labels by the time of the official launch in America.

While continuing negotiations, Spotify is also working away on mobile clients for BlackBerry and Palm smartphones to complement the already available apps for the iPhone, Android and Symbian. Of course, the PC software is also available (that's how it all started).

Victorinox unveils new, super-secure flash drive
Swiss company Victorinox has this week introduced a new multi-function, hardware encryption-equipped flash drive to its offer, the Secure Pro. Looking like the iconic Swiss Army Knife, the new drive measures 58 (L) x 18 (W) x 19.5 (H) mm, comes in 8, 16 and 32GB capacities and features AES256 encryption, a fingerprint reader, an LED white light and even some handy tools like a blade, scissors, a screwdriver/nail file and a call point pen.

To provide even more protection, Victorinox has added a self-destruct mechanism to the drive which will burn the NAND controller and memory chip in case of tampering.

The Victorinox Secure Pro will start shipping next month at prices going from Ã‚Â£50 to Ã‚Â£180.

Sunday, March 28, 2010

IT News HeadLines (TechConnect Magazine) 28/03/2010

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