Crucial Ballistix DDR3-1600 Review
Bjorn3D takes a look at the Crucial Ballistix DDR3-1600 memory

If you are a computer enthusiast and I'd like to think at heart we all are, then you will have noticed every few years we are introduced to a new memory technology. It will start out expensive and rare then eventually become affordable and mainstream. Which is where we are now with DDR2. Just as we get comfortable it is supplanted by a new memory technology that starts the cycle all over again. Every time the cycle begins we all get a little excited at the possibilities the new memory can bring and what wonders it will behold. But we also ask ourselves 'Is it for me?', 'Should I upgrade now or wait?'. These are valid questions that everyone should ask themselves when a new product arrives and that is what I am here to help you with today.

Without further ado I present the Ballistix DDR3-1600 memory kit from Crucial. Designed with high speed and quality construction in mind, this kit is offered with rock solid support. Does it have what it takes to earn a spot in your rig? Is it the right choice for you? And most importantly, should you upgrade now or wait? Let's get to it.

Crucial Ballistix DDR3-1600 Review

Samsung SyncMaster 245T 24-Inch LCD Monitor Review
Tweaknews.net posted a review on the Samsung SyncMaster 245T 24-Inch LCD Monitor

Overall the 245T brings much more to the table than any standard computer monitor on the market and this is directly apparent in its premium price. With industry leading color reproduction, excellent contrast and clarity to take advantage of with a literally a buffet of video connections, the 245T would be best described as swiss army monitor option in the 24" monitor market.

Samsung SyncMaster 245T 24-Inch LCD Monitor Review



OCZ Technology PC3-10666 ReaperX HPC 2GB DDR3 Kit Review
Bigbruin.com has posted a review on the OCZ Technology PC3-10666 ReaperX HPC 2GB DDR3 Kit

With the 6-5-5-18 timings, the OCZ Technology 2GB PC3-10666 ReaperX HPC DDR3 Dual Channel Memory Kit is very impressive right out of the package at 1333MHz. Testing showed that it can outperform other comparable memory with looser timings, providing a quick plug-and-play upgrade for those who aren't all that into overclocking and tweaking their BIOS.

OCZ Technology PC3-10666 ReaperX HPC 2GB DDR3 Kit Review

Asus Arctic Square Cooler Review
DriverHeaven posted a review on the Asus Arctic Square Cooler

While Asus have enjoyed success, they have not stood still, they have been diversifying into more PC components and peripherals. Today they produce everything; from servers, notebooks and cellular phones to routers, monitors and computer cases. If Asus could make their own processors and hard disk drives, they could offer a home PC exclusively made by them!

Histrionics aside today we will be looking at a high end CPU cooler from them, the Arctic Square. Although Asus currently produces 10 high end CPU coolers, each of them has different potential and performance. The Arctic Square for example is marketed as a high end cooler balanced between thermal and acoustic performance, which in theory means that good thermal performance is only part of the picture; it should be able to keep noise levels to a minimum as well.

Asus Arctic Square Cooler Review

AOpen S150 ITX Case Review
ASE Labs posted a review on the AOpen S150 ITX Case

The front of the case is extra shiny and really will fit in with a home theater or other media type application. The chrome-like trim gives nice accents all around. There is a single button for power-on with a lighted ring of light and a LED for ATA activity. The front of the case allows for a single laptop size optical drive and has hidden ports for a card reader as well as audio, USB, and Firewire.

AOpen S150 ITX Case Review

Xigmatek HDT-S983 Exposed Heatpipe-Base Heatsink Review
FrostyTech posted Xigmatek HDT-S983 Exposed Heatpipe-Base Heatsink review

In this review Frostytech is testing out Xigmatek's new HDT-S983 heatsink, an innovative thermal solution that employs sculpted & textured aluminum fins, and large copper heatpipes that make direct contact with the CPU. If you take the Xigmatek HDT-S983 and look at the bottom you'll see an aluminum base with three 8.5mm wide grooves cut deeply into it. Set snugly within each groove is an 8mm diameter copper heat pipe, which has been flattened so everything is flush. Instead of using a bulky copper plate, Xigmatek use the superior heat conducting capabilities of heat pipes to conduct heat away from the core of an AMD or Intel processor.

Xigmatek HDT-S983 Exposed Heatpipe-Base Heatsink Review

Foxconn DigitaLife X38A Intel X38 Express Motherboard Review
PC Stats posted Foxconn DigitaLife X38A Intel X38 Express Motherboard Review

In this review PCSTATS is testing out Foxconn's DigitaLife X38A motherboard, an Intel X38 Express and Intel ICH9R platform that supports both DDR2 and DDR3 memory formats. The Foxconn X38A works with 45nm Core 2 Duo and Core 2 Quad processors, and every other socket 775 CPU that runs on a 800/1066/1333MHz Front Side Bus. The DigitaLife X38A has four DDR2 and two DDR3 memory slots, these accommodate either 8GB of DDR2-1066/800 memory or 4GB of DDR3-1333 RAM respectively. Memory types cannot be mixed together though.

Foxconn DigitaLife X38A Intel X38 Express Motherboard Review

Westone UM2 Earphones Review
techPowerUp posted a review on the Westone UM2 Earphones

With a price of around $300 you can expect quite some performance from the Westone UM2 Earphones. They are designed as in-ear-monitors and feature two high-end drivers aimed at people that are not willing to accept compromise.

Westone UM2 Earphones Review

SteelSeries 5L Mousing Surface Review
DragonSteelMods.com posted SteelSeries 5L Mousing Surface Review

I've reviewed many SteelSeries products and they've always been excellent in their quality and very good at doing what they were made to do. They recently sent me two mousepads for review, the one I will be looking at today is the 5l Gaming Mousepad, it's a hybrid pad that I was actually kind of excited to get for review. It combines hard and soft surfaces to make something that is a bit different and unique, but I found that it's not perfect, the pad itself is great but the construction is a bit lacking...

So read on to learn what I found in my time with this product...

SteelSeries 5L Mousing Surface Review

Thermaltake Xaser VI Case Review
3D Game Man posted a review on the Thermaltake Xaser VI Case

The Thermaltake Xaser VI Case comes in six different all aluminum models. The VG4000BNS & VG4000SNA models include mesh on the side panels, the VG4000BWS & VG4000SWA models have windows on the side panel and there are the VG400LBWS & VG400LSWA models which include a liquid cooling system. This case has 14 drives bays (7x5.25" & 7.3.5"), three 140mm fans, removable motherboard tray, aggressive styling and so much more. Watch the video to find out more and check out the bloopers at the end.

Thermaltake Xaser VI Case Review

Tuniq TX-2 Thermal Compound Review
Mikhailtech posted Tuniq TX-2 Thermal Compound Review

As a supporter of PC enthusiasts, Tuniq presents the TX-2 thermal compound. Tuniq reworked the formula of the TX-1 compound and produced TX-2 with a smaller molecular structure, which should allow it to better fill the microscopic spaces in-between the CPU die and heatsink service. Today we will investigate if Tuniq's efforts have paid off!

Tuniq TX-2 Thermal Compound Review

Ideazon Reaper Edge Gaming Mouse Review
OCC has published a new review of the Ideazon Reaper Edge Gaming Mouse

Now let's take a look at the Reaper Edge. After opening the case and getting a full 360 degree view of the mouse we can better see the options it offers over a standard white box mouse. Its list of extras include two thumb buttons, anti-slip grip, Change on the fly DPI button, and a tire tread scroll wheel. One thing I noticed missing right away was the anti-sweat coating that the G5 series from Logitech offers, so during testing we'll see if this is a problem or not.

Ideazon Reaper Edge Gaming Mouse Review

Razer Destructor: Gaming Mouse Pad Review
TechwareLabs has published a review of the Razer Destructor: Gaming Mouse Pad.

Michael "Nitro" Lynch, our resident gamer extreme takes a first look online at the new high end gaming mouse pad from Razer, the Destructor. This mouse surface is designed to give you an extra edge in games while providing a large and easy surface for your mouse in all applications. If you need accuracy (and who doesn't) then this is the surface you need to take a look at.

Razer Destructor: Gaming Mouse Pad Review