Here a roundup of today's reviews and articles, including Desktop Graphics Card Comparison Guide, Kingston 64gb DataTraveler Ultimate 3.0 Generation 3 (G3) Review, Samsung Galaxy Mega hands-on review, Fractal Design ARC Midi R2 Review, and Best Thin and Light Laptops, April 2013



Desktop Graphics Card Comparison Guide Rev. 26.3 @ TechARP

Covering *545 desktop graphics cards*, this comprehensive comparison allows you to easily compare *24 different specifications*for each and every card. If you need to find out about the specification of any card, just come over and check out our Desktop Graphics Comparison Guide.

We hope it will prove to be a useful reference. We will keep this guide updated regularly so do check back for the latest updates.

Here are the latest updates in Revision 26.3 :

*- Added a new Die Size specification for all AMD and ATI graphics cards.
- Added a new OpenCL Support specification for all AMD and ATI graphics
cards.
- Added the AMD Radeon HD 7990 graphics card.
- Added the AMD Radeon HD 7790 graphics card.
- Renamed the AMD Radeon HD 7870 LE to AMD Radeon HD 7870 XT.
- Corrected the Transistor Count specifications of the AMD Radeon HD 2900
series of graphics cards.
- Updated the OpenGL Support specifications for the AMD Radeon HD 4000
family of graphics cards.
- Updated the OpenGL Support specifications for the AMD Radeon HD 3000
family of graphics cards.
- Updated the OpenGL Support specifications for the AMD Radeon HD 2000
family of graphics cards.*

Read more: Desktop Graphics Card Comparison Guide Rev. 26.3 @ TechARP

Crucial's M500 SSD reviewed @ The Tech Report

Crucial's long-awaited replacement for the m4 SSD breaks new ground by using 128Gb NAND chips. We take a closer look at how that decision affects the performance of the 240 and 480GB models.

Read more: Crucial's M500 SSD reviewed @ The Tech Report

Enermax Ostrog GT Mid Tower Case Review @ ThinkComputers.org

Enermax has been relatively quiet when it comes to cases. They have not had a case that has really stood out to us as of late. We hope that is going to change with the Ostrog GT Mid Tower. It features a unique design, room for 10 fans (three included), USB 3.0 support, a large side panel window, and room for a total of 10 hard drives! Enermax is looking to make a mark in the sub $100 segment with this case as it is currently selling for $74.99. Will this case impress? Read on as we find out!

Read more: Enermax Ostrog GT Mid Tower Case Review @ ThinkComputers.org

Sharkoon FireGlider Mouse Review @ DragonSteelMods

The mouse should be a part of you when you’re using your computer, especially when it comes to gaming as you want the mouse to respond to the slightest movements or you could end up dead! Not all mice are created equal of course and a good mouse is a good thing to have. A good mouse should allow you to adjust many of the settings like DPI and re-assigning the buttons. A good mouse should let you customize it and maybe even give you the ability to store profiles in it. A good mouse is what I have for review today, it’s the Sharkoon FireGlider and it’s a laser gaming mouse with plenty of things to adjust and customize including the physical weight of it and pretty much everything else I mentioned above. So read on to learn more…

Read more: Sharkoon FireGlider Mouse Review @ DragonSteelMods

Kingston 64gb DataTraveler Ultimate 3.0 Generation 3 (G3) Review @ TestFreaks

For today’s review Kingston has sent over their latest USB 3.0 flash drive – the DataTraveler Ultimate 3.0 Generation 3 (G3). This model is Kingston’s latest USB 3.0 portable drive, which features data transfer speeds of up 250 MB/s read and 70 Mb/s write. From its name it’s the next version of the DataTraveler Ultimate line and is designed to work with both Windows and OS X out of the box. Of course a USB 3.0 port is needed to take full advantage of its speeds but the flash drive is backwards compatible with USB 2.0.

For those such as myself who invariably lose their USB flash drive caps this version has a capless design and features a built-in keyring.

While it does not have the storage capacities of the DataTraveler HyperX Predator, this model does come in 32GB and 64GB versions. For today’s review we will look at the 64 GB model.

Read more: Kingston 64gb DataTraveler Ultimate 3.0 Generation 3 (G3) Review @ TestFreaks

God of War Ascension (PS3) Video Review with Kaeyi Dream @ HardwareHeaven.com

Today Kaeyi Dream takes a look at the latest God of War video game - God of War: Ascension. Check it out!

Read more: God of War Ascension (PS3) Video Review with Kaeyi Dream @ HardwareHeaven.com

Microsoft files patent for new open windows viewer @ Computerworld

The application, which was published April 11 by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), outlines a way to view the current open windows on the desktop and lets users cycle through those windows until the desired one is in focus.

At first glance, the patent -- dubbed "System and Method for Visually Browsing of Open Windows" -- appears to be a follow-up to and possible replacement for Flip and Flip 3D, the little-used open-windows selectors that first appeared in 2007's Vista.

Microsoft files patent for new open windows viewer @ Computerworld

Rosewill Ultra-Slim HDMI RedMere Cable Review @ Legit Reviews

Are you looking for HDMI 1.4 cables are thinner and more flexible than standard HDMI cables? Rosewill recently launched a line of Ultra Slim HDMI Cables with RedMere technology. Each of these Rosewill cables have a RedMere chip inside to ensure that you receive the absolute best picture quality in a reduced weight and thin portable cable. Read on to learn more about these HDMI cables!

HDMI cables have been around for over ten years and are nothing new. We've used cables that cost hundreds of dollars and ones that were free after rebate and have never found a huge difference between cables. It's something that you just plugin and walk away from, which is how it should be. The Rosewill Ultra Slim HDMI Cables with RedMere Technology were exiting to us due to how thin they are. We were happy to get rid of our chunky HDMI cables and switch over to these cables on our systems and haven't looked back since...

Read more: Rosewill Ultra-Slim HDMI RedMere Cable Review @ Legit Reviews

Samsung Galaxy Mega hands-on review @ The Inquirer

We attempt to get our hands around Samsung's largest smartphone to date     

Read more: Samsung Galaxy Mega hands-on review @ The Inquirer

Amazon Kindle Fire HD 8.9" review @ V3

The Kindle Fire HD has improved on its smaller sibling with a larger and higher-quality display, but the issues around performance and usability remain     

Read more: Amazon Kindle Fire HD 8.9" review @ V3

Corsair Voyager Air Review @ Guru3D

Times are changing, we have a thirst and need to access our data quickly and easily. It is one of the main reasons why NAS units, home servers and streaming storage solutions have become quite popular. With that trend continuing in the upcoming years we're going to see many new products as we don't only need to connect to our content and media with the PC anymore, we also like to stream music and movies onto our phones and tablets as well.

The bros at Corsair launched the Voyager Air, an external portable storage unit loaded with features so that you can easily connect to it. It allows you to connect it though USB 3.0 and Ethernet, but it also includes WIFI support and it actually comes as a nice a 1000 GB HDD model as well. This great looking device might just be what the doctor ordered to move or stream your content from. The usability of a device like this can be seen a bit as a NAS (network attached storage), which you place inside your network to be able to access content like your music, documents, photo's and video's. All content stored on the Voyager Air can be accessed directly from a PC or Mac, or with a free Corsair app so you can access and stream to Android devices or your Apple iPad, iPhone and iPod touch devices.

Read more: Corsair Voyager Air Review @ Guru3D

Fractal Design ARC Midi R2 Review @ Hardware Canucks

The newest addition to Fractal Design’s award winning lineup is the new Arc Midi R2, a case which may be compact but is crammed full of features and innovative add-ons. More importantly and like the Define R4 we reviewed a few weeks ago, the Midi R2 is supposed to improve upon its predecessor in every way possible.

Considering the original Arc Midi is considered by many to be the very epitome of mid-tower case engineering, finding areas that required updating wasn’t easy. Nonetheless, Fractal has made subtle changes where necessary while also bringing several areas up to modern standards and keeping the price below $120.

Read more: Fractal Design ARC Midi R2 Review @ Hardware Canucks

CM Storm Quickfire TK Mechanical Keyboard Review @ Benchmark Reviews

For many of our readers, a keyboard is the way they interact with the world whether it is for work or pleasure. In our ever more connected world, problems like typing speed and comfort are becoming more of a necessity than a nicety. Cooler Master realizes this and has brought out an entire line of mechanical keyboards to handle the demanding needs of typists. In this review, we will be looking at the CM Storm Quickfire TK w/Cherry MX Red switches. These light linear switches are preferred by many gamers for their light touch and linear motion. In this article, Benchmark Reviews will determine if the CM Storm Quickfire TK Mechanical Keyboard SGK-4020 is a great value or if enthusiast we be better served with a different keyboard.

Cooler Master has many different mechanical keyboards on the market right now ranging from the full sized Quickfire Pro all the way down to the miniscule Quickfire Rapid. In between both of these is the Quickfire TK with an integrated 10-key keypad and along with all of the control keys that would normally be found on keyboard combined into one grouping. This allows for a smaller keyboard with the same functionality as its larger brethren.

Read more: CM Storm Quickfire TK Mechanical Keyboard Review @ Benchmark Reviews

PC Power and Cooling Silencer MK III 750W Power Supply Review @ Hi Tech Legion

For the time being, manufacturers such as PC Power and Cooling have interesting solutions that are paving the way toward this highly efficient, noiseless future. Their Silencer power supply line has been well-regarded since its first incarnation and now, with their 3rd generation offering, PC Power & Cooling has upped the efficiency and has made installation and usage much more convenient through modular cables on their latest Silencer MK III power supplies.

The PC Power & Cooling Silencer MK III 750W power supply has an 80 Plus gold efficiency rating with continuous output at 50C. The Silencer MK III 750W has a unique switch that allows users to choose between normal or silent mode, where the 140mm cooling fan runs idle whenever the load is under 50%. The modular cables on the Silencer MK III 750W power supply have heavy-duty chrome-finished metallic connectors that can be locked in place and use flat cables for easier cable management. Similar to the 1200W 80 Plus Platinum Silencer MK III, the 750W and 850W Silencer MK III are SuperFlower units and utilize high-quality Japanese capacitors with a warranty length of seven years.

Read more: PC Power and Cooling Silencer MK III 750W Power Supply Review @ Hi Tech Legion

Deep Cool Gammaxx S40 @ PureOverclock

Deep Cool is a company that may not be too familiar to everyone, but they’ve been around for a while and have a long list of cooling products including: CPU coolers, notebook coolers, HDD coolers, GPU coolers and fans as well as several other accessories. You may recognize their other name – Logisys. Logisys sells case modding accessories such as cathodes, LED devices and other gadgets. Deep Cool was kind enough to send us their latest CPU cooler for review – the Gammaxx S40. We always enjoy reviewing CPU coolers, so let’s get to it!

Read more: Deep Cool Gammaxx S40 @ PureOverclock

XFX R7790 Black Edition Overclocked Review @ OCC

The R7790 is not built to be a high resolution gaming power house but a good solid performer at the $150 price point. At 1920x1080 resolutions you get playable frame rates in almost all of the games tested with Metro 2033 the lone game under 30 FPS. The idea here is to offer enough performance to get the job done while keeping the price point attractive. As a competitor for the GTX 650Ti, the XFX R7790 Black Edition leads the GTX 650Ti in every test save one where the margin of performance is within a single FPS.

Read more: XFX R7790 Black Edition Overclocked Review @ OCC

Best Thin and Light Laptops, April 2013 @ Anandtech

My focus on laptop recommendations today is on the rather nebulous thin and lightcategory. That can mean different things to different people, but with Ultrabooks encroaching on this market I’m going to keep it simple and automatically disqualify any and all Ultrabooks from consideration for this category they have their own recommendations already, so I see no need to overlap coverage if I can avoid it. Since I started with Ultrabooks, however, and I only picked on option, that means you’ll have to wait a bit longer before I return to that category and look as some other similar options. In the meantime, feel free to debate the “best” choices for the thin and light category in the comments, and if I need to revise what goes where Ill do so.

Read more: Best Thin and Light Laptops, April 2013 @ Anandtech

Alienware M17x-R4 reviewed @ Fudzilla

The Alienware M17x-R4 is the fourth incarnation of the company’s high-end 17-inch gaming laptop series. As usual, consumers are left with a choice of several predefined configurations, but true connoisseurs will probably go for a custom configuration. It all boils down to the sheer amount of cash consumers are willing to invest. In this case, we recommend you go for SSD drives, as HDDs really have no place in high-end gaming rigs. The sample we received boasts one of the best configurations available. It is based on a Intel Core i7-3820QM clocked at 2.7GHz, which can hit 3.5GHz on Turbo. More demanding consumers might want to go a step further and pick a Core i7-3840QM, which turbos all the way to 3.8GHz. However, the added performance hardly justifies the higher price.

Read more: Alienware M17x-R4 reviewed @ Fudzilla

Transcend Wi-Fi SD Card Review @ Techradar

When taking digital photos on our digital compact cameras, we usually have to wait until we get to a computer before we can view them in their full glory. Sure, digital cameras have LCD screens so we can review the photos we've taken, but due to their small sizes and low resolutions, it's not always easy to make out just how well the photos have turned out, and many of them don't feature inbuilt Wi-Fi yet. The Transcend Wi-Fi SD Card has an interesting answer to this problem. Though it looks like a standard SD card (with a large 32GB capacity in the version we reviewed, but also available in a 16GB model) it comes with built-in Wi-Fi.

Read more: Transcend Wi-Fi SD Card Review @ Techradar