AMD Clarifies Erratum 379 ''DDR3-1333'', More Than a Fix in Works
AMD found itself in a tricky situation with its launch schedule for the DDR3-supportive AM3 socket platform: the revision guide document for 10h family of processors disclosed a rather serious erratum with the processors, with the company not recommending the use of more than two DDR3-1333 memory modules in all, or more than one module per memory channel, stating unreliable operation as consequence (more here). We rose doubts on a certain statement in the document circling around what we saw as a potential solution to the problem, and hence sought the company's comment.
AMD replied to us with a set of things, not necessarily interrelated, though in some way connected to the erratum, and the company's approach towards the DDR3 memory standard:
- AMD confirms the issue as stated by the revision guide document, and is indeed working on a solution. The issue does not affect, in any way, using one DDR3-1333 memory module per channel
- The company has already specified the safest workaround for the issue: specifying the memory modules to run at the speeds of PC3-8500, 533 MHz (DDR3-1066). One can refer to hardware literature on how to do that
- AMD has given guidance to motherboard vendors on this issue. Some motherboards could rectify the issue by themselves, by operating the memory modules at PC3-8500 specifications. The incentive of tightening DRAM timings stays
- Good news for overclockers: You will be able to override the memory frequency control by motherboards, and can attempt to tweak frequencies at will. AMD product warranties, as always, don't cover damages caused by overclocking, even when overclocking is enabled via AMD Software
- Better news: Indications are that AMD is doing a lot more than creating a workaround for this issue, it may be devising a new feature altogether that, in the end, upholds the company's initiative to be enthusiast-friendly. Furthermore, AMD iterates that it is its intention to provide higher DDR3 frequencies as DDR3 becomes more prevalent
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(PR) BFG Technologies Announces Availability of First Watercooled Dual GPU GeForce GTX 295
BFG Technologies, Inc., the leading North American and European supplier of advanced NVIDIA-based 3D graphics cards, power supplies, and the Phobos High-Performance Gaming/Home Theater System, announced today the BFG GeForce GTX 295 H2O graphics card with ThermoIntelligence Water Cooling Solution.
BFG Technologies has taken their award-winning GeForce GTX 295 dual GPU graphics card and combined it with a highly efficient, thermally advanced copper water block co-developed with the experts at Danger Den to offer a totally silent cooling solution for customers who have an existing water cooling system set up. This BFG ThermoIntelligence water block delivers an exceptional 44آ°C lower GPU operating temperature (than with air cooling), and cools all heat generating points on the card-GPU, RAM, voltage regulators, and I/O chip.
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Apple Security Update 2009-001 and Java Updates for MacOS X Released
Apple released today a highly recommended security update 2009-001 for all versions of MacOS X. This updated improves the security of Mac OS X and fixes various operating system flaws. The security update is available for MacOS X Leopard, Leopard Server, Tiger for Intel Macs, Tiger for PowerPC-based Macs, Tiger Server for PowerPC-based Macs and Server Universal. In addition Apple has released two Java security updates that improve the security and compatibility of Java on MacOS X. All updates can be located and installed via Software Update or directly from Apple Downloads here. More information about the updates can be found here.
Source: Apple
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Lenovo's Ultra-Thin 16-inch IdeaPad Y650 Now Shipping
The long awaited Lenovo IdeaPad Y650 laptop is finally starting to ship to its soon to be proud owners. Announced at CES 2009 as the world's thinest 16-inch entertainment notebook, IdeaPad Y650 combines almost everything you'd want to have in a notebook - extremely thin and clean design with carbon fiber parts, light weight, big screen, powerful hardware and fairly low cost.
Back to the interesting part, IdeaPad Y650 comes with two Intel Core 2 Duo CPU options - the 2.53GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P8700 or the 2.40GHz P8600, both feature 1066MHz FSB and 3MB L2 cache. Video options include either an integrated Intel X4500 graphics or an NVIDIA GeForce G 105M GPU with 256MB dedicated RAM. Remaining specs include 3GB DDR3-8500 RAM (up to 4GB), 320GB 5400 rpm HDD, DVD writer, multi-touch track pad, Bluetooth, integrated 1.3MP webcam and a 6 Cell Lithium-Ion battery. All different versions ship with the same 16.0-inch TFT widescreen display with LED backlight, ambient light sensor and a 1366x768 maximum resolution. It is also worth mentioning that the sound system in IdeaPad Y650 is provided by JBL, featuring 2x 2W JBL speakers. The Lenvo IdeaPad Y650 is available now directly from Lenovo, with a starting price of $1,299.
Source: Engadget
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Leaked Information Points at Free OEM Upgrade from Vista to Windows 7
Tech ARP has managed to get a hold of a copy of a draft document, preliminarily named the Windows 7 Upgrade Program. It is said to have been distributed to Microsoft's OEM partners on 10th December giving them a month to provide feedback. Obviously nothing is set in stone yet, but Microsoft provided similar upgrade programs for Vista and XP. The extract follows:
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Microsoft to Open a Chain of Retail Stores for its Products
Software giant Microsoft is looking for another spot that will make the company's products more widespread than ever. It plans to open a chain of own retail stores that will sell all Microsoft software product including Windows and other applications as well as personal compuetrs running Windows operating system, cellphones running Windows Mobile OS and last but not least the company's Xbox videogame console. Microsoft has also appointed David Porter, a former Wal-Mart Stores executive, to lead the new initiative through its way up. Porter spent 25 years at Wal-Mart Stores in roles of increasing responsibility and seniority in store operations, merchandising and information technology. In his last role at Wal-Mart, Porter was vice president and general merchandise manager of Entertainment, where he served as a strategic point of influence throughout the Wal-Mart business. Porter's first day at Microsoft as corporate vice president of Retail Stores will be Feb. 16, 2009.
"There are tremendous opportunities ahead for Microsoft to create a world-class shopping experience for our customers," Porter said. "I am excited about helping consumers make more informed decisions about their PC and software purchases, and we'll share learnings from our stores with our existing retail and OEM partners that are critical to our success." That's all we know for now, key details around the new retail stores are still to be worked out. We'll keep you posted if anything new pops up.
Source: Microsoft
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(PR) Antec Introduces New Form Factor with CP-850 Power Supply Exclusively for Antec Cases
Antec, the global leader in computer components and accessories for the gaming, PC upgrade and Do-It-Yourself markets, today announced the CP-850, a high-performance power supply featuring an entirely new form factor. Part of Antec's upcoming CP Series, the CP-850 breaks away from the standard-size PS/2 form factor -- which has been the predominant form factor for nearly 20 years -- to introduce improved airflow, better component selection and quieter operation. The CP-850 and CP Series are exclusively compatible with Antec's latest high-performance PC cases.
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NVIDIA GeForce Release 179.48 BETA for Notebooks Released
NVIDIA has launched a new BETA driver for its mobile GeForce graphics processors. The new drivers are numbered 179.48 and in theory they support all GeForce Go 7-series, GeForce 8M and GeForce 9M series notebook GPUs. The whole 7-series GeForce Go support is new to this driver, so be prepared for eventual problems. NVIDIA has also included CUDA technology support and PhysX hardware acceleration on GeForce 8M and 9M GPUs (with a minimum of 256MB RAM) within the package. Download the appropriate version of GeForce Release 179.48 for notebooks from here.
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(PR) VIA Announces Power-Efficient NSR7800, 8-Bay 2U Rackmount Server
VIA Technologies, Inc, a leading innovator of power efficient x86 processor platforms, today announced the VIA NSR7800 2U rackmount server for network storage solution providers. Powered by a 1.5GHz VIA C7 processor, the VIA NSR7800 offers system integrators the opportunity to provide unparalleled power and energy-efficient server solutions to today's energy-conscious small and medium sized business customers.
With eight 3.5" S-ATA II hard drive bays, the VIA NSR7800 is the perfect balance of power-efficiency, performance and capacity, an ideal starting point for a variety of rackmount server applications including email, file and web server products. The VIA NSR7800's drive bays are easily accessible through lockable front levers that allow hard drives to be securely installed in moments. Dual Gigabit LAN ensures fast data transfer speeds.
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(PR) Samsung Begins Production of High-performance GDDR5 Memory Using 50-nm Technology
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., the world leader in advanced memory technology and the leading producer of high-end graphics memory, announced today that it has begun mass producing GDDR5 graphics memory using 50-nanometer class process technology.
"Our early 2009 introduction of GDDR5 chips will help us to meet the growing demand for higher performance graphics memory in PCs, graphic cards and game consoles," said Mueez Deen, director, mobile and graphics memory, Samsung Semiconductor, Inc. "Because GDDR5 is the fastest and highest performing memory in the world, we're able to improve the gaming experience with it across all platforms," he added.
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