ASUS Rampage II Gene micro-ATX motherboard review
Elite Bastards posted a review on the ASUS Rampage II Gene micro-ATX motherboard

Micro-ATX system builders have often been left somewhat out in the cold when it comes to getting hold of enthusiast-level motherboards that will fit this form factor, but as of Intel's Core i7 launch this is no longer the case, with a couple of manufacturers offering up micro-ATX parts based around the high-end X58 chipset. One of those manufacturers is ASUS, who have brought both Core i7 support and their Republic of Gamers brand to this smaller form factor courtesy of the Rampage II Gene. Can it prove that size doesn't matter?

ASUS Rampage II Gene micro-ATX motherboard review

AMD Phenom 2 X4 955 BE Review
Bjorn3D takes a look at the AMD Phenom 2 X4 955 BE.

April 23rd 2009 seemed to approach at a snails pace but finally the day is here where we can release information on the new Phenom 2 X4 955 BE and its unlocked processor. You should be seeing it on E-Tailer shelves as of today. This isn't a paper launch. The processor is immediately available on retail sites and vendors have them on hand, ready to ship should you be lucky enough to be waiting on a new AM3 processor. The Phenom 2 X4 955 BE, of course, is backwards compatible with the AM2+ platform, which is one of the exciting things about the new quads. You can upgrade while still holding onto your existing AM2+ and enjoy the benefits of a relatively inexpensive unlocked CPU and upgrade to AM3 and DDR3 at your leisure.

The higher performance and overclockability of the new Phenom 2 X4 lineup, combined with lower upgrade costs than the competition, makes the Dragon platform an attractive choice in these economic hard times. Economically speaking, the times may be hard but AMD has shown you can produce an affordable platform with out sacrificing performance. This move not only allows users to enjoy a high end platform but shows that AMD cares about the end user by keeping the prices down. Kudos AMD!

AMD Phenom 2 X4 955 BE Review



Elgato EyeTV Hybrid USB TV Tuner Review
Everything USB posted a review on the Elgato EyeTV Hybrid USB TV Tuner (2009 model)

Elgato is back at it again with the latest incarnation of their do-it-all TV tuner for Macintosh, the EyeTV Hybrid USB TV Tuner (2009). Whereas the 2008 version was already jam-packed with the ability to record analog, ATSC digital, and Clear QAM broadcasts up to 1080i all in a package the size of your thumb, the new model boasts improved HD reception, a much-improved electronic program guide and the addition of FM radio. Walk with me as Everything USB takes an in-depth look at all the new Hybrid has to offer television aficionados, and what needs work.

Verdict:
If it weren't for the solid hardware and impressive EyeTV software I'd be
in sticker shock, well, maybe I still am... but the EyeTV Hybrid USB TV
tuner 2009 is by far the best hybrid stick tuner I've tested to date. Just
don't use it for digitizing important VHS tapes.


The Good:
+ Ultra portable
+ Superior digital reception
+ Superb iTunes-like interface
+ Impressive export capabilities
+ Improved EPG with one-click season recordings
+ Fast channel switching
+ Decent remote control
+ Ability to stream recordings over Wi-Fi and the internet


The Bad:
- Pricey
- Lacks bundled antenna
- Limited IR blaster compatibility
- TV Guide EPG requires subscription after first year
- New EPG lacks remote scheduling
- So-so analog MPEG-2 encoding

Elgato EyeTV Hybrid USB TV Tuner Review

AMD Phenom II X4 955 BE & 945 AM3 Processor Review
EXTREME Overclocking has posted a review on AMD's Phenom II X4 955 BE & 945 AM3 Processors

AMD is stepping up its game with the launch of two new flagship AM3 processors to succeed the original Phenom II X4 940 & 920 AM2+ models. These processors will be known as the Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition (3.2 GHz) and Phenom II X4 945 (3.0 GHz).

AMD Phenom II X4 955 BE & 945 AM3 Processor Review

Cooler Master Storm Sniper Case Review
Hardware Logic posted a review on the Cooler Master Storm Sniper Enclosure

Sniper is the name of Cooler Master's recently introduced enclosure. By name alone, many gaming enthusiasts and real-world Tackleberry type gun enthusiasts will be turned on by this new case. Cooler Master says their new box design was inspired by military weapons and there's no doubt it has that rugged gun-metal look, similar to some of their recent offerings. Now we are looking down our scope at the Sniper, sizing it up, while it looks back at us. We need figure out, is this a "friendly" or do we pull the trigger?

Cooler Master Storm Sniper Case Review

AMD Phenom 2 X4 955 / MSI 790 FX / XFX 4870 X2 Review
Driverheaven posted a review on the AMD Phenom 2 X4 955 / MSI 790 FX / XFX 4870 X2

Today AMD release the latest AM3 processor, the 955 Black Edition, the first to have a real chance of competing with the 940 in that all important enthusiast market. Combined with a high specification 790FX based motherboard and ATI GPU it creates what could be AMD's most powerful system ever. Today we take a look at the latest performance figures from the AM3 (Dragon) platform using the 955, MSI's new 790FX-GD70 and XFX's 4870 X2. Is it finally time for AMD users to make the switch to DDR3?

AMD Phenom 2 X4 955 / MSI 790 FX / XFX 4870 X2 Review

Logitech Cooling Pad N100 Review
ITreviewed posted a review on the Logitech Cooling Pad N100

While the laptop is now the form factor of choice for around-the-home computing, many people who feel that what they gain in convenience, they lose in comfort. For example, most of us probably use our laptops on the sofa and most of us are concerned about laptop heat slowing or damage our computer. Logitech's Cooling Pad N100 does a reasonable job to keep your laptop's temperature under control, but the fan is just not up to the job of cooling today's premium overclocked machines. And as the fan chucks cool air out of both the top and bottom of the Pad, your legs get just as cold as your laptop. Personally, I think the cooling aspect of the Cooling Pad N100 is a bit of a gimmick. If it's simply comfort you're after, go for Logitech's Comfort Desk.

Logitech Cooling Pad N100 Review

Razer Goliathus Review
techPowerUp posted a review on the Razer Goliathus mouse

Razer recently launched a new mouse mat concept dubbed Goliathus. The Goliathus mats are available with two different surfaces and in three different sizes. Add the fact that they can be had for as low as $14.99 makes them extremely interesting.

Razer Goliathus Review

Corsair Flash Survivor USB Drive Review
TheTechLounge posted a review on the Corsair Flash Survivor USB Drive

Did you ever want to use a flash drive as a weapon? Like, reach into your pocket as two shifty characters come towards you, and clutching it like a roll of quarters, use it to line up all your knuckles into a perfect, orbit-crushing fist? Yeah, well, now that I've planted that idea in your head, let me introduce Corsair's Flash Survivor to you. This flash drive is designed to withstand, or at the very least, designed to look like it withstands. While I would say that it's unnecessarily wrought, there probably is a market for undestroyable flash drives. Without a doubt this flash drive is as solid as they come; if something could take out the case, then certainly it's force that should worry its owner in an oncoming semi kind of way.

Corsair Flash Survivor USB Drive Review

Asus M4A79 Deluxe Review
Neoseeker takes a look at a 790FX motherboard from Asus, the M4A79 Deluxe

Overall, The ASUS M4A79 Deluxe is a great board. It offers a good performance and in many occasions it was able to beat the MSI 790FX-GD70 which sports the same chipset but uses DDR3 memory instead of DDR2

Asus M4A79 Deluxe Review

Noctua NH-U12P 1366 Review
PureOverclock posted a review of the Noctua NH-U12P SE1366 Core i7 heatsink cooler.

Today we're testing the Noctua NH-U12P SE1366, the Core i7-specific cooler that stems from its predecessor that achieved somewhat a celebrity status as a cooler that offered excellent cooling in a whisper-quiet setup. Truth be told, we're huge fans of Noctua's........fans........and are well aware of their near-legendary status in silent-build circles of enthusiasts; in fact, we regularly use them in our test setups.

Noctua NH-U12P 1366 Review

Enermax Galaxy Evo 1250W PSU Review
JonnyGURU.com posted a review on the Enermax Galaxy Evo 1250W PSU

Shortly after I completed my review of the Enermax Revolution 85+, the folks at Enermax asked me a simple question: would I like to have a look at a 1250W unit from a new line intended to make up for the absence of a Revolution 85+ 1250W model in the North American market?

Naturally, I said yes. They then sent me the 80 Plus Bronze certified Galaxy Evo 1250W. Come on in and read all about it.

Enermax Galaxy Evo 1250W PSU Review

ASUS ROG Rampage II Gene mATX X58 Motherboard Review
TweakTown posted a review on the ASUS ROG Rampage II Gene mATX X58 Motherboard

One of the biggest things, as stated, with Core i7 is the price. The CPU is expensive and the platform boards are not really that cheap either; however, ASUS is trying to remedy that while keeping up to their standards of high performance boards.

The Republic of Gamers or ROG based ASUS boards are what ASUS calls their cream of the crop boards; a lot of time and effort goes into them and so far all the boards we have tested under the ROG name have been impressive. However, none have been this small before; we are talking real small, MicroATX.

ASUS ROG Rampage II Gene mATX X58 Motherboard Review

Core i7 Dual Channel vs Triple Channel Memory Test
Ninjalane has posted an investigative article into the advantages of triple channel memory on the i7

We left this testing session with the opinion that the triple channel configuration is a definite plus for the consumer and happens to be very logical progression in the ever increasing performance of memory. We also got a glimpse into how far the technology has come when compared to an older DDR2 system.

Core i7 Dual Channel vs Triple Channel Memory Test

ASUS ROG Rampage II Gene mATX X58 Motherboard Review
TweakTown posted a review on the ASUS ROG Rampage II Gene mATX X58 Motherboard

One of the biggest things, as stated, with Core i7 is the price. The CPU is expensive and the platform boards are not really that cheap either; however, ASUS is trying to remedy that while keeping up to their standards of high performance boards.

The Republic of Gamers or ROG based ASUS boards are what ASUS calls their cream of the crop boards; a lot of time and effort goes into them and so far all the boards we have tested under the ROG name have been impressive. However, none have been this small before; we are talking real small, MicroATX.

ASUS ROG Rampage II Gene mATX X58 Motherboard Review

ZOTAC GeFORCE GTX 275 896MB Video Card Review
Futurelooks checked out the ZOTAC GeFORCE GTX 275 896MB Video Card

Fabricating smaller GPU die typically improves all around performance and lowers power consumption which equates to lower heat produced by the video card. Ideally, this should result in keeping the price of video cards down or at least offer a more affordable product for the price. Lower thermal properties mean we don’t need any massive, new GPU cooling solutions which almost always drive the price of any video card up. A good example of the new improvements reside in the ZOTAC Geforce GTX 275 896MB Video Card. Can we actually see these improvements at work? Let’s have a look.

ZOTAC GeFORCE GTX 275 896MB Video Card Review