Here a roundup of today's reviews and articles, including Removing and Wiping Drivers Guide, Google Play Music Review, Desktop Graphics Card Comparison Guide Rev. 26.4, Intel Linux OpenGL Driver Leading Over Apple OS X, and Xbox One: Entertainment Hub First, Gaming Console Second -- But Could It Disrupt TV?



Removing and Wiping Drivers Guide @ OCC

When you open Driver Fusion you will be greeted by the 'Driver Inspection' page, which lists the different drivers you may want it to scan for. Just click on the items in the list in order to select them, and clicking on multiple items will select those multiple items. Pressing the 'Analyze' button will have the program start searching for what remains of the drivers you told it to look for, and what it finds will be listed for you to inspect. It finds files, folders, and registry entries, each of which you can choose to leave on your computer by clicking the appropriate checkbox on the side of the list. It may be a good idea to check this list before pressing the 'Delete' button because it may find something you do not want deleted, such as files that have been extracted for when you install new drivers. You can see I have unchecked the "C:\NVIDIA" directory in the screenshot, and I did so specifically for that reason.

Read more: Removing and Wiping Drivers Guide @ OCC

Google Play Music Review @ TechReviewSource.com

With its All Access subcription service, the updated Google Play Music has come of age. The inclusion of this subscription service trumps Apple's iTunes, and Google delivers an excellent, well-designed system, with a large catalog of any music most people are likely to crave, and a beautiful, full-function interface similar to Rdio's.

Read more: Google Play Music Review @ TechReviewSource.com

Desktop Graphics Card Comparison Guide Rev. 26.4 @ Tech ARP

These days, there are so many graphics card models that it has become quite impossible to keep up with the different configurations. Therefore, we decided to compile this guide to provide an easy reference for those who are interested in comparing the specifications of the various desktop GPUs in the market as well as those already obsolescent or obsolete.

Currently covering 547 desktop graphics cards, this comprehensive comparison will allow you to easily compare 24 different specifications for each and every card. 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.

To make it easy to compare the specifications, we split it up into three sections for your convenience. Just click on Split List to access them. However, if you prefer to compare all the graphics cards for each company in a single table, we also have a single list which can be accessed by clicking on Full List. Just click on the company and the type of list you prefer.

Read more: Desktop Graphics Card Comparison Guide Rev. 26.4 @ Tech ARP

SilverStone AR01 CPU Cooler Review @ Hardware Secrets

We tested the SilverStone AR01 CPU cooler. It has a tower heatsink, three 8 mm heatpipes and one 120 mm fan, supporting up to two fans. With its conservative design, will it perform well? Let's see!

Read more: SilverStone AR01 CPU Cooler Review @ Hardware Secrets

PowerColor PCS+ HD7870 Gaming Video Card @ TechwareLabs

By the grace of TUL Corporation, we have been presented with a PowerColor PCS+ HD 7870 MYST Edition. PowerColor themselves are a Taiwanese subset of the previously mentioned TUL corporation, and are licensed producers of the ATI Radeon cards, as well as Nvidia cards, which they release under the Zogis brand name. Since PowerColor has the ability to change the specifications on the cards they sell, most of their cards are overclocked by default, something of a double-edged sword in my opinion, but more on that later. Ranging in price from $235 and $263 depending on the retailer, this card, with its great many features is possibly within the higher ends of availability for most consumers.

Read more: PowerColor PCS+ HD7870 Gaming Video Card @ TechwareLabs

Rosewill T600N Wireless Router Review @ ThinkComputers.org

In this modern area of wireless networking, the market is flooded with devices with advanced feature sets, sometimes not performing as well as others. This trade-off can be frustrating. Sometimes, the basic features are all one really needs in a WiFi router, and the Rosewill T600N fills that gap. It's an 802.11a/b/g/n router that can do 300 Mbps per frequency and even features standard replaceable antennas for its 2.4 GHz radio. ThinkComputers takes a look at this sub $60 unit that frequently can be found online for under $50!

Read more: Rosewill T600N Wireless Router Review @ ThinkComputers.org

ZOTAC GeForce GTX TITAN AMP! Edition 6144 MB @ techPowerUp

ZOTAC's GTX Titan AMP! Edition comes with increased GPU and memory clocks for an extra performance boost. The package also includes three Assassin's Creed games and a Metro: Last Light coupon. But with pricing of $1139 is it worth it?

Read more: ZOTAC GeForce GTX TITAN AMP! Edition 6144 MB @ techPowerUp

Lenovo Y500 Gaming Notebook Review: The Best Mobile Gaming Value Around? @ PC Perspective

While Lenovo hasn’t historically been known for its gaming PCs, it’s poised to make quite a splash with the latest entry in its IdeaPad line. Owing little to the company’s business-oriented roots, the Y500 aims to be all power—moreso than any other laptop from the manufacturer to date—tactfully squeezed into a price tag that would normally be unattainable given the promised performance. But can it succeed?

Our Y500 review unit can be had for $1,249 at Newegg and other retailers, or for as low as $1,180 at Best Buy. Lenovo also sells customizable models, though the price is generally higher.

Read more: Lenovo Y500 Gaming Notebook Review: The Best Mobile Gaming Value Around? @ PC Perspective

How to Install AMD Drivers Guide @ OCC

The installer should begin installing your software. At points, the installer may appear to freeze, but do not be too quick to assume so. Sometimes the installer will freeze for up to five minutes, depending on the speed of your system. The screen may also flash or go blank during the installation of display drivers. This is usual for the installer -- don't worry, it hasn't broken your computer, however you might have to rearrange the icons on your desktop afterwards.

Read more: How to Install AMD Drivers Guide @ OCC

Intel Linux OpenGL Driver Leading Over Apple OS X @ Phoronix

In revisiting the OpenGL graphics and gaming performance for an older Intel Core i5 "Sandy Bridge" Apple system, the Ubuntu 13.04 performance with Intel's open-source graphics driver is now easily surpassing Apple's OpenGL driver found in OS X 10.8.3.

This testing happened from an Apple Mac Mini bearing an Intel Core i5 2415M "Sandy Bridge" processor with 2GB of RAM and was using Intel HD 3000 graphics. OS X 10.8.3 was tested in its stock configuration and compared to Ubuntu 13.04. Ubuntu 13.04 was benchmarked in its stock configuration of the Linux 3.8 kernel, xf86-video-intel 2.21.6, and Mesa 9.1.1 driver. Additionally, the latest Linux kernel (Linux 3.10 Git) and Mesa Git (Mesa 9.2.0 git-ccb041f) were installed for a second run atop Ubuntu 13.04 to get an idea for the very latest state of Intel's Linux OpenGL driver.

Read more: Intel Linux OpenGL Driver Leading Over Apple OS X @ Phoronix

Best Graphics Cards For The Money: May 2013 @ Tom's Hardware

In this month's market analysis, we discuss Nvidia's new GeForce GTX Titan, PowerColor's Tahiti LE-based Radeon HD 7870, and a number of price fluctuations. If you've been holding off on an upgrade, now might be the best time to buy.

Read more: Best Graphics Cards For The Money: May 2013 @ Tom's Hardware

Leawo Total Media Converter Ultimate @ Benchmark Reviews

As new video formats emerge to support evolving PC, smart phone and tablet resolutions, new tools are needed to allow video content to be shared among the different devices. If you have ever tried to convert your collection of DVDs to a portable format, or tried to archive your Blu-ray video collection, then you know there are a wide range of tools available to help you with these tasks. Some of these tools are free, while others charge for converting and archiving your video.

Any product that uses the word "ultimate" in its name sets a high bar for expectations. The Total Media Converter Ultimate claims to be an all-inclusive media solution with a top rated, fast and efficient video converter. That claim is not trivial for a media conversion product, as the number of video and media formats available today is enormous.

Read more: Leawo Total Media Converter Ultimate @ Benchmark Reviews

Icy Dock FlexCage MB975SP-B 5x3.5" in 3x5.25" HDD Cage Review @ Hi Tech Legion

Thankfully, hard drives have no such qualms either and could be stacked in a cramped space and would still function. Unfortunately, temperatures affect drives and crowding them together will hamper performance and shorten the drives lifespan. This is the kind of problem that storage solutions provider Icy Dock is used to tackling, especially with their FlexCage tray-less series HDD backplane modules, the latest of which is the MB975SP-B.

The Icy Dock FlexCage MB975SP-B is able to fit five 3.5" SATA HDDs in three 5.25" drive bays using a trayless design. The FlexCage MB975SP-B is powered by three SATA power connectors and is cooled by an 80mm fan with Icy Dock Smart Cooling technology. This 80mm cooling fan can automatically detect whether a drive is installed inside the FlexCage MB975SP-B and can also shut down by itself when not needed. The FlexCage MB975SP-B’s 80mm fan can easily be removed and replaced with any 80mm fan using a 2-pin or a 3-pin connector. Just like other Icy Dock FlexCage devices, the MB975SP-B’s body is built from aluminum which helps dissipate heat while providing excellent protection and durability.

Read more: Icy Dock FlexCage MB975SP-B 5x3.5" in 3x5.25" HDD Cage Review @ Hi Tech Legion

Gigabyte Shows Off Upcoming Intel Z87 Motherboards @ Legit Reviews

Gigabyte recently invited Legit Reviews to come out and take a look at some of their upcoming Intel Z87 motherboards and that is an offer that we could resist. Gigabyte has roughly 30 Intel 7 series motherboards and expects to have about the same number of boards for the Intel 8 series. Gigabyte expects to have around 15 boards at launch, which is too many for any one site to cover. Today we'll be covering a handful of their upcoming Intel Z87 motherboards and going over some of the key features of those boards.

Read more: Gigabyte Shows Off Upcoming Intel Z87 Motherboards @ Legit Reviews

SilverStone AR01 @ PureOverclock

SilverStone is a company that’s been around for 10 years, yet they haven’t quite developed a high level of brand recognition amongst consumers. Still, for those who know them, they sometimes make stand out products. One of their most famous products is the Air Penetrator fan. Silverstone also makes a wide variety of cases, CPU coolers, fans and even power supplies. They recently released their Argon series of CPU coolers which feature the AR01, AR02 and AR03, each having distinct blue-framed fans in a variety of sizes and heat pipe configurations. SilverStone was kind enough to send us their AR01 cooler to test out so let’s check it out!

Read more: SilverStone AR01 @ PureOverclock

Cooler Master NotePal U2 Plus Cooling Pad Review @ Neoseeker

As notebooks become thinner and their components more densely packed, heat dissipation becomes more and more of a challenge for engineers. Space constraints push the limits of cooling systems to the point where the only things standing between a cool and overheating laptop are a single fan and a jungle of flat heatpipes. During gaming, laptops oftentimes end up jumping to temperatures that can make even the most ambitious overclockers cringe. This is where Cooler Master steps in with the NotePal U2 Plus.

Cooler Master has been a pioneer of high quality cooling products for years. From heatsinks to cases, cooling has always been one of its top priorities (as per the company name). Today, we take a look at the Notepal U2 Plus, an aluminium cooling pad that promises to keep your notebook cool while ensuring an ergonomic typing angle and cable management capabilities. Supporting laptops up to 17", the pad comes with two 80mm fans and doubles as a laptop carrying case.

Does this notebook cooling pad make a significant difference in real-world usage? Let's find out in our review of the Cooler Master NotePal U2 Plus.

Read more: Cooler Master NotePal U2 Plus Cooling Pad Review @ Neoseeker

Turtle Beach XP Seven Tournament Grade Gaming Headset Video Review @ HardwareHeaven.com

Today DaveChaos has the XP Seven Tournament Grade Gaming Headset from Turtle Beach to review. Be sure to check out Dave's YouTube channel for more of his personal videos, and subscribe to the HardwareHeaven channel to keep up-to-date with our video reviews

Read more: Turtle Beach XP Seven Tournament Grade Gaming Headset Video Review @ HardwareHeaven.com

Oregon Scientific ATC9K Action Camera @ NikKTech

Even less than a decade ago action cameras were pretty much nonexistent so people actually had to mount normal handheld camcorders onto their bodies (helmets, hands, waist) and vehicles something which was neither very easy nor convenient due to size, weight and of course durability issues/limitations (especially for use with Xtreme sports). With the introduction of action cameras a few years back this changed and so now people can actually record up to FullHD content via very small and extremely durable camcorders which are also quite affordable (always compared to their full sized cousins). GoPro and Contour are without doubt the first two names that immediately come to mind when talking about action cameras but they are far from the only manufacturers around and so naturally with the obvious increase of sales in that segment of the market several manufacturers have joined as well. One of them is Oregon Scientific and today we will be testing their ATC9K FullHD 1080p Water Proof Action Camera.

Read more: Oregon Scientific ATC9K Action Camera @ NikKTech

Sapphire HD7990 QuadFireX Review @ KitGuru

Since the product launched in April AMD's partners have struggled to bring these cards to market. Nothing is more annoying that a paper launch, especially when the demand seems high for the new AMD flagship. Sapphire sent us their card last week and we have spent some time playing with the hardware in a QUAD SLI configuration, paired up with our AMD HD7990 reference sample.

Read more: Sapphire HD7990 QuadFireX Review @ KitGuru

GIGABYTE Also Unveils Z87X-UD4H and Z87X-UD5H Motherboards @ PC Stats

In addition to the Z87N-WiFi mini-ITX motherboard, GIGABYTE showed off a couple of its top ATX products from its mainline Z87X series, the Z87X-UD4H and Z87X-UD5H. The two mark GIGABYTE's complete breakaway from the blue color scheme, and lack the color even on their heatsinks. The Z87X-UD4H features a hot-rod red+silver+black color-scheme, while the Z87X-UD5H features gold+silver+black. Both boards are based on the company's Ultra Durable 5 construction. Both boards appear to offer overclocker-friendly features that are reserved for the high-end, such as redundant BIOS, diagnostic LEDs and measurement points for each power domain, and high-grade electrical components.

The Z87X-UD4H offers a 16-phase CPU power supply, three each of PCI-Express 3.0 x16 slots (electrical x16/x8/x4), PCI-Express 2.0 x1, and a legacy PCI. It offers eight internal SATA 6 Gb/s ports, two eSATA 6 Gb/s, ten USB 3.0 ports (six on the rear panel, four by headers), 8-channel HD audio, and display outputs that include DVI, D-Sub, HDMI, and DisplayPort. The Z87X-UD5H, on the other hand, offers the same 16-phase CPU VRM and the same expansion slot layout as its sibling, but tops it up with ten internal SATA 6 Gb/s ports, dual gigabit Ethernet, a second DVI connector instead of D-Sub, and FireWire (by header). The two will most likely be part of GIGABYTE's first wave of socket LGA1150 motherboards, and could be priced above $150.

Read more: GIGABYTE Also Unveils Z87X-UD4H and Z87X-UD5H Motherboards @ PC Stats

Xbox One: Entertainment Hub First, Gaming Console Second -- But Could It Disrupt TV? @ Techspot

Microsoft may have been the last of the major console makers to announce their next generation system but they certainly didn’t disappoint - that is, depending on whom you ask. Leading up to the reveal, many believed Microsoft would position the next generation system as a device designed to be as much of an entertainment hub as a gaming system.

After watching the Xbox One unveiling, however, I’m inclined to believe that most got it wrong. Given the One’s heavy focus on live television, it’s easy to envision how Microsoft may have figured out a way to transform the Xbox from a gaming console that also handles media into a home entertainment hub that just happens to play video games.

The Xbox One is now poised to become a huge mainstream success if Microsoft plays their cards right and even more so if they can get broadcast executives on board with their vision. There’s still a lot of unknowns, but let’s take a closer look at the facts thus far.

Read more: Xbox One: Entertainment Hub First, Gaming Console Second -- But Could It Disrupt TV? @ Techspot