IT-Code-News: IT News HeadLines (Overclockers Club) 08/04/2010

Mushkin Ridgeback 998827 PC3 12800 3x2GB Review

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Memonex MOD EX 600W Power Supply Review

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GPU-Z 0.4.2 Available

The lastest version of the popular graphics utility, GPU-Z is now available for download. This new version fixes a conflict between GPU-Z and fan-speed control on some NVIDIA cards, a rare crash on the MSI HD 5830 TwinFrozr II and the calculation of memory bandwith, among others. GPU-Z users still have the opportunity to win some ASUS Republic of Gamers series graphics cards and motherboards by clicking on the "Hardware Giveaway" tab. GPU-Z version 0.4.2 is available for download over at TechPowerUp, here.

AMD Preparing Two New Athlon II X3 Processors

AMD is busy preparing two new Athlon II X3 processors, the 445 and 450. The 445 will feature a 3.1GHz clock speed, with its higher-end counterpart the 450 clocked at 3.2GHz. The Athlon II X3 450 will be based on the 45nm "Rana" core along with 1.5MB of L2 cache, no L3 cache and a TDP of 95W; according to Fudzilla. The two new models are similar to the current 3GHz X3 440, although competition from new models is always helpful in bringing prices down. The new Phenom II X3 CPUs should debut later this year, helping cement AMD's position in the value-orientated market.

Intel to Discontinue Core i7 920 CPU

The last of the "original" Intel Socket 1366 processors, the quad-core Core i7 920 is to be EOL (End Of Life) in Q2 this year. This follows the release of the Product Discontinuance Notice (PDN) by Intel. This marks the end of the initial Core i7 offerings, with the announced phasing-out of the Core i7 940 and 965 late last year. The Core i7 920 will be succeeded by the 930 which boasts a 220MHz (0.22GHz) increase in stock speed at 2.88GHz and a 3.06GHz Turbo Boost. Otherwise the 930 is exactly the same as it's predecessor, and will maintain the same price range too. Be on the lookout, there's bound to be some good deals on the 920 closer to it's demise!

Corsair Intros High Density 16GB and 24GB Memory Kits

Corsair today announced additions to its Dominator family of memory products in the form of new 16GB and 24GB Dominator DDR3 memory kits. The new workstation-level DRAM kits feature a clock speed of 1600 MHz and a CAS latency of nine cycles (9-9-9-24) and are rated at 1.65V. The 24GB kit is designed for use with triple-channel CPUs such as the Core i7 980X processor. The 16GB Dominator DDR3 memory kit is designed for use on dual channel platforms based on the P55 chip set. Like all members of the Dominator family, both kits include Corsair’s patented DHX+ technology with racing-blue highlights and fins. The modules feature high-quality heatsinks and a custom-designed PCB that allows both the front and rear of the memory ICs, and the printed circuit board itself, to be cooled. The cooling fins are removable to allow you to use range of modular cooling accessories including extended heatsink fins, the Hydro Series H30 water cooling block as well as the Ice Series T30 sub-ambient cooling subsystem.

The modules are available immediately through Corsair's online store where the 24GB kits are priced at USD $1449.99 and the 16GB kits are available for USD $999.99.

PS3 Firmware 3.21 Causing Problems?

With the launch of Playstation 3 firmware 3.21, every PS3 lost the ability to install another OS. But now, it seems that some users are experiencing more problems then just that. After the update has been installed, some users are having trouble accessing the Playstation Network, loading a disc-based game, and some cannot even turn their console on. A few users had freezing issues while updating their console, so some people could not even get to experience the loss of the install other OS ability. There are plenty of people who have not experienced any issues with the new firmware, but for those that have, Sony has yet to release an official statement on the matter.

Has anyone here experienced any issues with their PS3 after getting the new firmware?

Custom PCB GTX 480 Pictures Appear

NVIDIA made what may turn out to be a wise decision by allowing its board partners to work on custom PCB designs for its new cards from the get go. What that means is that we are likely to see cards that vary from the NVIDIA reference part soon after it first hits retail next week. Pictures have surfaced of one custom PCB design that reduces the length of the standard GTX 480 and opts for two 6-pin PCIe power connectors rather than the original 6-pin + 8-pin configuration.

The intention of this design from Taiyanfa (a Chinese manufacturer) appears to be taming the power draw of the GTX 480 somewhat (those two 6-pin connectors will mean a maximum board power of 225W), which could indicate lowered clock speeds or at least reduced overclocking capabilities. This is good for those who may want to adopt a GTX 480 into their setups but have less chassis space or lack an 8-pin power connector. Of course, what would be interesting to see as enthusiasts are more custom board designs that have the oposite aim. That being to wring the most performance out of that GTX 480 die as possible. The variation should be good for consumers, as it will give them more options when it comes to buying a card. However, if there are a large number of custom designs, things could get a little confusing.

FCC Loses First Net Neutrality Battle

In what is sure to appease some people, it seems that the FCC has just lost the first net neutrality battle with Comcast. The US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia has sided with Comcast by saying that the FCC does not have the authority to impose regulations on internet services providers under the current law. In 2008, the FCC ordered Comcast to stop filtering BitTorrent which Comcast replied with a suit saying the FCC did not have the authority. The FCC said it was using its "ancillary powers" which allow the agency to take the proper actions to do its job. There is no law giving the FCC this authority so it acted in the best way it saw fit. The FCC was interpreting its job as promoting net neutrality based on policy statements set up by Congress. To that end, the court said it was not good enough and ruled in favor of Comcast. The FCC is expected to appeal the court's decision while Congress will presumably set up a law allowing the FCC to actually do what it tried.

iPad Experiencing Wi-Fi Problems

The iPad was just released this past weekend, and several users are reporting difficulties with the Wi-Fi. Users are reporting fluctuating or poor service when standing very near their routers, in areas where several other devices work just fine. Several users have reported that the signal works when connecting to Apple based networking products, after trying them with non-Apple products. However, some users report issues there as well. Many are speculating that the issue stems from either the antenna placement or a software issue. Apple has posted a support article detailing the process it believes will fix the issue.

Apple Store Racism? You Decide

Just came across this blog by "Oh Doctah" about his recent experience when trying to purchase a new Macbook. You'll have to watch the video on his blog to get the full story, but I would love to hear a response from Apple on why what happened, happened. Now I can't stand it when someone of any race tries to unjustifiably pull the race card, but I really think that the Doctah might have something here. What do you guys think? Discuss it in our forums.

Web Site Allows Lonely Gamers to Find Someone to Play With

A new web site allows gamers to pay women to play video games while conversing through a chat window. The site, Gamecrush.com, charges a not insignificant $6.60 for ten minutes. The site went into beta mode on March 30 and was so overwhelmed by the initial response that service crashed and hasn't come back on line.

The service works by allowing people to sign up either as a PlayDate where you are paid for your service or as a player where you must pay. PlayDates receive payment in the form of 400 credits($4.00) per game. PlayDates can also receive tips from players – I guess you can see where this is going. Players send a request to PlayDates who must accept the invitation. At that point:

"GameCrush does not monitor, moderate or otherwise control the interaction between its users."

Apparently this concept has proven wildly popular to the point that the site received 10,000 hits in just five minutes. At almost $40/hour, you can do the math and see that that's a pretty good business model.

iPad Autopsy Video

Tech enthusiasts are a curious bunch. We want to know how things work, and in order to do so, sometimes that means taking devices apart. With the recent release of Apple's new iPad comes a new device to take apart. Thankfully, Will Smith from Tested.com has done just that, so you don't have to destroy your $500+ investment. Curiosity may have killed the cat, but it also kills an iPad. Will completely disassembles every little thing inside the iPad and attempts to point out what each component is and/or does. At over twenty minutes in length, it's certainly a rather lengthy video, but if you really wanted to see what makes the iPad tick, there's no better way to learn.

Of course, if you'd just like to see the iPad obliterated into dust, you can visit our forum and watch the "Will It Blend?" video.

Espionage Ring Tracked Back to China

Researchers in the U.S. and Canada have managed to track a cyber-espionage ring based in China. The group, known as Shadow, apparently targeted computers in several countries including systems belonging to other governments including those of India and Pakistan. The ring was traced back to Chengdu, in China's Sichuan province. The individuals or groups behind the ring used social media and blogs to control the computers which have previously been compromised with malware. While other countries were affected, the primary target seemed to be the Indian government and military.

Apple to Unveil iPhone OS 4 on April 8th

In what seems to be becoming a trend in recent years, Apple has announced a future announcement. On April 8th at 10AM PT, Apple will be holding an event for a "sneak peek of the next generation of iPhone OS software." Yes, Apple simply annonced a sneak peak and not the release of said OS. Hot on the heels of the iPad release, it's not all that surprising that a new iPhone OS would quickly follow. Of course, I use the word "quickly" loosely, as we have no idea how long until iPhone OS 4 actually goes live. Still, it's welcome news for many iPhone users that are still holding out hope for new features like multi-tasking and stylus-based text input. At least, it's welcome news until Thursday, when those hopes may be dashed. We'll know more in two days.

Thursday, April 8, 2010

IT News HeadLines (Overclockers Club) 08/04/2010

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