GPU video transcoding image quality - NVIDIA CUDA versus AMD Stream
Elite Bastards compared the GPU video transcoding image quality of NVIDIA CUDA and AMD Stream

After spending quite some time looking at performance when using various video editing and transcoding applications with GPU-based acceleration in recent weeks, we now turn our attention to the question of image quality, using Cyberlink's MediaShow Espresso to investigate how the use of both NVIDIA's CUDA and AMD's Stream functionality compares to using good old-fashioned CPU processing in terms of the quality of video files output by the application.

GPU video transcoding image quality - NVIDIA CUDA versus AMD Stream

Lian Li PC-9 Case Review
ocaholic.ch posted a review on the Lian Li PC-9 Case

The Lian Li PC-9, successor of the Lian Li PC-8, is another mid-tower with a plain and simple but beautyful design. The hole case is made of black and brushed aluminium with a high manufacturing quality. The range of features like hot swap HDD cage, fan-controller, ODD mounting kit, liquid cooling compatibility and more, makes the very proud price of CHF 246.- worth it.

Lian Li PC-9 Case Review



Rebit 500 GB Multi-PC Backup Appliance Reviewed
TestFreaks posted a review on the Rebit 500 GB Multi-PC Backup Appliance

Thankfully Rebit implemented similar features from Time Machine for use in their PC-centric devices. While the user interface is not as polished as the Time Machine's, it performs almost all of its functions plus a little more. Rebit allows the average PC user to easily backup and restore files with minimal difficulty. "Ridiculously Simple Backup" is not just a slogan; it's the way the Rebit works.

Rebit 500 GB Multi-PC Backup Appliance Reviewed

Razer Megalodon USB Headset Review
techPowerUp posted a review on the Razer Megalodon USB Headset

The newest addition to the Razer headset lineup is the USB powered Megalodon headsets. Featuring an all new USB sound card developed by Razer called the Maelstrom sound engine. Depending on user preference you can run in either 2.0 or 7.1 mode.

Razer Megalodon USB Headset Review

Roccat Vire - Mobile Gaming Headset Review
Metku takes a closer look at Roccat's Vire Mobile Gaming Headset.

Gaming earphones, you say? When will this gaming madness ever end? If those were your first thoughts, I can't really blame you, because I for one thought exactly the same...

> Roccat Vire - Mobile Gaming Headset Review

Intel 34nm X25-M Gen 2 SSD Performance Review
HotHardware.com posted a review on the Intel 34nm X25-M Gen 2 SSD

When Intel released their first generation 50nm SSD product, the market buzzed with appreciation for the product and its overall performance profile. We in fact took you through the ins and outs of Intel's new MLC-based Solid State Drive product line-up for the consumer market and agreed it was one of the fastest on the market at the time. However, over time, other manufacturers have closed the gap significantly. Perhaps it was the fact that Intel had "skin" in the SSD game or maybe it was just the all-around buzz of the burgeoning SSD market in general but there's no question, the technology itself has a considerable resource commitment from a number of very big name manufacturers.

Based on 50nm manufacturing technology, Intel's highly acclaimed line of SSDs have historically commanded a price premium in the market as well, which regardless didn't keep them from selling like hotcakes. However, with the kind of resources that very few manufacturers like Intel can bring to bear, it was abundantly clear that Intel's SSD roadmap would continue to evolve. Today we've got a look at Intel's second generation of SSD products, the recently announced 34nm version of the Intel X25-M SSD. At 160GB and a significantly lower price point, Intel is also claiming performance has been taken up a notch or two as well. Sounds like a proverbial win-win doesn't it? Let's see for ourselves...

Intel 34nm X25-M Gen 2 SSD Performance Review

Samsung SE-S084 External DVD Writer Review
Hardware Secrets posted a review on the Samsung SE-S084 External DVD Writer

Samsung SE-S084 is a slim external dual-layer DVD writer targeted to netbooks that don't come with an optical unit. Besides being very compact, it doesn't need an external power source, as the required power is pulled from two USB ports. Let's see if it is worthwhile buying this product.

Samsung SE-S084 External DVD Writer Review

Startech.com KVM Console to USB 2.0 Crash Cart Adapter Review
Bigbruin.com has posted a review on the Startech.com KVM Console to USB 2.0 Crash Cart Adapter

I can see the Startech.com KVM Console to USB 2.0 crash cart adapter as an invaluable item in an IT professional's tool kit, providing an easy way to access terminals, industrial computers, headless servers, and other applications where you might not keep a keyboard, mouse, and monitor installed at all times.

Startech.com KVM Console to USB 2.0 Crash Cart Adapter Review

Evercool 80mm Rifling Fan Reviewed
Overclockers Online posted a review on the Evercool 80mm Rifling Fan

The Rifling Fan is a great product for those who are looking for better cooling compared to an 80mm fan and are unable to install a 120mm, and are looking for a stylish design to top that.

Evercool 80mm Rifling Fan Reviewed

Intel X25-M 160GB 34nm MLC G2 SSD Benchmarking
Legit Reviews takes a look at the Intel X25-M 160GB 34nm MLC G2 SSD

The first generation drives used an Intel branded controller with the part number PC29AS21AA and the new second generation drivers use an Intel branded controller with the part number PC29AS21BA0. The controller was changed for a number of reasons, but you can bet that performance and added features is the number one reason for going to a new controller. The new controller architecture still employs the same 10 parallel NAND Flash channels used in the original controller but can now support features like TRIM. Legit Reviews asked Intel if TRIM would ever be supported in the first generation Intel SSDs and they stated that "No TRIM support for 50nm Intel SSD drives is planned at this time". They also went on to inform us that Intel will provide TRIM support on its 34nm High-Performance Solid-State Drives via a firmware update in Q4’09...

Intel X25-M 160GB 34nm MLC G2 SSD Benchmarking

MSI X58M Review
Bjorn3D takes a look at the MSI X58M

There are many users out there who do not need a full ATX case. Whether it be because you only have one graphics card, or just a lack of case space, a micro ATX board is just what you have been looking for. Currently there is not much selection, with just one more high end oriented micro ATX board. Today we have MSI's X58M, a micro ATX board for the masses. This happens to be the cheapest X58 board currently, certainly putting it as at least worth a look for many users.

The hard part about being the cheapest board is low expectations. The cheapest generally means that it will not be nearly as good as something more expensive. MSI hopes to rid its users of this thought by providing a top quality board for a basement price point. They certainly have me onboard, but I have doubts as to how well this board will overclock or how it will handle with large amounts of RAM. If MSI has engineered a truly great board, we should see great performance in both of these fields.

MSI X58M Review

Patriot Viper II PC3-16000 6GB DDR3 Kit Review
TweakTown posted a review on the Patriot Viper II PC3-16000 6GB DDR3 Kit

Recently we had a look at a PC3-12800 kit from Patriot that sat in the company's G Series lineup. Today we're kicking it up a notch; not only are we looking at the PC3-16000 kit from the company, but also checking out what's going on in the top of the line Viper II series.

Priced at $264.99 U.S. over at Newegg, the kit we have with us today is far from cheap, but hopefully it's able to stand out from the pack. The Viper series has always been the pinnacle of performance for Patriot and today we intend to find out if that goal continues to hold true with the latest memory we've got from the company.

Patriot Viper II PC3-16000 6GB DDR3 Kit Review

Sapphire HD 4890 Vapor-X 2GB Review
OCC has published a new review on the Sapphire HD 4890 Vapor-X 2GB

So what does the Sapphire HD 4890 Vapor-X 2GB do well? Well, for one it offers up excellent cooling without the noise penalty that the reference cards present when you push the fan speed toward the max level. This card was barely audible three feet away from the case and was not heard over the white noise in my test room. The temperatures delivered by this card are almost identical to those of the Vapor-X 1GB card I tested. With the clock speeds at the factory default 870/1050 settings and the fan controlled by the driver, I measured 48 degrees Celsius at idle and 75 degrees Celsius while under load. Much lower than the reference cooling, and again it is dead silent in this configuration. Once overclocked and bumping the fan speed to 100%, I measure 43 Celsius at idle and 70 Celsius under load. Both better than the driver controlled numbers at the default clocks and leaps and bounds ahead of the reference cards. Having run through a few HD 4890 cards, the limits are relatively easy to reach without resorting to BIOS or hardware tweaks. The 1GB model reached 970MHz on the core and 1195MHz on the memory. The 2GB model reached very similar clock speeds of 950MHz on the core and 1200MHz on the memory, no slouch in the overclocking department even with the additional memory. That looks like some pretty close binning.

Sapphire HD 4890 Vapor-X 2GB Review

Thermaltake Soprano Aluminum Keyboard Review
TechwareLabs has published a review of the Thermaltake Soprano Aluminum Keyboard

Today Tom Gowing takes a look at the all new Thermaltake Soprano Aluminum Keyboard. Stepping out of their norm, will this new keyboard be the next must have in gaming technology? Or should Thermaltake stick to what it knows best: Cases, and Cooling? Join TechwareLabs as we take a look...

Thermaltake Soprano Aluminum Keyboard Review

Asus W90Vp Laptop Review
DriverHeaven.net posted a review on the Asus W90Vp Laptop

Today we're going to be looking at the Asus W90Vp, a multimedia notebook full of features such as an 18.4" 1080p display, a Blu-Ray drive and a powerful dual core CPU with overclocking capabilities paired with two of ATI's mobile 4870 cards in a Crossfire configuration.

Asus W90Vp Laptop Review