ASUS To Unveil ROG Line Of Products @ Computex

Taipei, Taiwan, March 28, 2008 – Technology for computing gaming evolves at a tremendously fast pace, so users will constantly require cutting-edge technologies and solutions in order to keep up with the latest in gaming requirements. With this in mind, the ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) has produced an exceptional range of gaming products to give gamers the ultimate gaming edge. These advanced gaming hardware are geared for the future, and will be showcased at Computex 2008.

Automobile Conceptualized Graphics Cards for Extreme Gaming
The "Concept Car" Graphics Card
With three RV670PRO GPUs onboard, the ASUS EAH3850 TRINITY/3DHTI/1.5G graphics card is likened to a concept car model; and truly paves the way towards the future of gaming. An astonishing 139% improvement in speeds is achieved when compared to single-GPU solutions; while a MXM module provides upgrade possibilities, and two exclusive extra DVI outputs give users support for extra monitor outputs. It also features a specially designed water cooling solution – ensuring efficient heat dissipation for stable performance. The ASUS EAH3850 TRINITY is also equipped with a world-exclusive large onboard memory size of 1.5GB – designed to provide feature-rich DirectX 10 gaming and the best multimedia playback at ultra-high resolutions and maximum quality settings – earning this graphics card top billing among the ROG.

"Hybrid-Class Car" Styled Matrix Graphics Cards
The leading and intelligent thermal innovation of the ASUS EN9600GT Matrix graphics card draws its inspiration from Hybrid cars of the same namesake. With an innovative combination of the fan and heatsink solutions on one card, the ASUS Matrix innovation targets guaranteed performance with savings in mind. When required, the fan and heatsink will work together for optimum cooling, while the fan is automatically controlled according to the GPU loading – providing users with power savings in the event of lower graphics utilization – much like real Hybrid cars.

The "Workhorse Jeeps" of Graphics Cards
The Glaciator fansink utilizes a powerful and specially designed fan design that are likened to the Jeeps of the automobile industry. Much like the Land Rover or the Hummer, ASUS graphics cards equipped with the Glaciator Fansink effectively dissipates heat away from the graphics card – quickly transferring heat away from the GPU and lowering the temperature. With all this cooling capacity, the Glaciator Fansink maintains a quiet operating level of only 25dB – almost unperceivable in a quiet room; and caters to gamers who require maximum cooling without excessive fan rotation noise.

Racing Car Inspired Designs
The V-Cool Heatsink’s super racing car engine design comprises of two mainstay racing car engine technologies – V-Engine and Intercooler. Combining stylish outlooks with powerful cooling performance, the V-Engine concept of ideally arranged V-fins provide even heat dissipation with a minimum of space required; while the high-density zipper array fin module utilizes the Intercooler technology to maximize the surface area exposed to the air for exceptional heat dissipation. Additionally, three powerful heatpipes are carefully arranged to enable the average temperature on the heatsink to enhance heat transfer effects, and the special material aluminum alloy used is lighter and provides excellent thermal conductivity – all at an ultra-quiet 0dB.

Life-like Audio and Powerful Gaming Performance with ASUS ROG Maximus II Formula
The new ASUS ROG Maximus II Formula series motherboard is equipped with the latest Intel chipset, and supports DDRII memory for exceptional overclocking. It is also able to deliver astoundingly life-like audio through the SupremeFX X-Fi audio card; while the innovative overclocking technology – CPU Level Up, delivers flexible CPU overclocking – even without prior overclocking knowledge. What’s more, the Extreme Engine power design provides stable voltages for exceptional overclocking – making this motherboard the ultimate gamer´s choice, and garners the ROG’s hearty recommendation.

Ultimate Cooling with ASUS Axe Square CPU Cooler
The Axe Square CPU Cooler provides enhanced cooling performances with support for CPU overclocking up to 180W. This exceptional cooler utilizes the Aureate design, and provides optimal cooling while retaining low operating noise. This outstanding cooler gets the ROG’s stamp of approval in providing outstanding cooling for gaming needs.

Enjoy Pure Power with ASUS PSU G-1000HA
With the added power requirements of current components – especially those catered for gaming, a power supply that can deliver uninterrupted, stable and high performance power is paramount. The Intel ATX 12V V2.3 compliant ASUS PSU G-1000HA power supply does all these things with ease. With a 1000 watt high power supply rating with active PFC (PF>0.99), it can deliver environmentally friendly power and is able to support Duo Core and Quad Core CPUs; as well as PCI-Express 2.0. It is also equipped with a 13.5 cm ball-bearing fan with auto thermal acoustics noise control – making for quieter operations. The PSU G-1000HA is also equipped with five dedicated +12V rails for reliable output, and is 80 PLUS certified to provide up to 87% at 230VAC input.

Ultimate Gamer Gear: ASUS ARES Gaming PC
The ARES Gaming PC features massive performance with the best gaming hardware configuration that includes an Intel Core™2 Extreme CPU, support of up to 8GB of fast DDR3 memory, NVIDIA’s Quad SLI / ATI CrossfireX graphic technology and up to 4 Terabyte hard disk for exceptional processing and graphical performance. It also showcases Dual Power™ power modules and liquid cooling for exceptional stability; while the sleek gaming outlook draws upon ancient and modern armor concepts from both Eastern and Western cultures for a uniquely designed upper faceplate. This design also fully encloses and provides protection for the various I/O drives and user interface modules, completing the overall gaming package.

Ultimate Gaming Station
The ASUS G70 utilizes a “Multi Dual-Engine” architecture to answer gamer needs for extreme performance. Comprising of a duplex structure in its major system components that include an Intel Core™2 Duo / Extreme CPU, dual independent Nvidia 8700M GT VGA cards, dual HDD with a combined mass storage capacity up to 640GB and dual thermal fans, the G70 provides high-definition visuals and audio capabilities that sets a new standard in mobile gaming. It also offers special lighting and material designs that enhances the gaming atmosphere; as well as dual screens for display of critical system info and messages for disruption-free gaming. A dual mode touch pad and the gaming-themed keyboard with special key highlights provide easy access to multimedia controls as well as additional hotkeys (including a four-way key) that can be configured for a tailored gaming experience – allowing gamers to truly enjoy the ultimate in gaming.

Also showcased are the G50 and the G71 new gaming series. The laptops, carrying the same G Series design as well as the most advanced nVidia™ GeForce 9700M GT graphic engine with GDDR3 support, are to be available in Q3.

Call of Duty Black Ops 2 la version PC à nouveau patchée

C'est la communauté des fraggers de Call of Duty : Black ops 2 qui va être contente. Treyarch vient de mettre en ligne un nouveau patch (qui se télécharge automatiquement) qui apporte quelques ajustements réclamés par les joueurs.

A commencer par l'augmentation du FOV de 10° qui passe ainsi à 90. De quoi améliorer le champ de vision des tueurs virtuels qui vont pouvoir s'en donner à cœur joie. Autre bonne nouvelle, le jeu est désormais mieux optimisé pour les processeurs à 4 cœurs ou plus. Ces derniers rencontraient quelques problèmes pour faire tourner le jeu, c'est désormais du passé. Ainsi, les chevaux afghans qui tombaient irrémédiablement dans le décor ne rencontrent plus ce problème. Même chose pour le RC-XD et l'AGR qui se perdaient dans la map, ce bug a été corrigé. De plus, les performances avec ce type de processeur ont été améliorées pour les modes solo, multi et zombies. Si vous ne faites pas partie des millions de gens ayant déjà craqué pour ce shooter efficace, notre test (disponible ici) pourrait finir de vous convaincre.

Voici la liste complète des correctifs apportés par cette mise à jour :
- FOV augmenté à 90
- Réparation du bug des chevaux passant à travers la map en Afghanistan avec des processeurs 4 cœurs ou plus
- Correction du bug des RC-XD et AGR passant à travers la map avec des processeurs 4 cœurs ou plus
- Performances améliorées sur le solo, le multi et le mode zombies avec les processeurs 4 cœurs ou plus
- Correction du crash lorsqu'un septième joueur tente d'entrer dans un lobby réservé pour 6
- Matchmaking amélioré sur les serveurs dédiés
- Fin des connexions interrompues lors du chargement dans MP

· Forum Call of Duty : Black Ops 2

AMD To Cut Athlon 64 X2 Prices

INQ reports that AMDis planning more price cuts ahead according to its channel partners. AMD willcut the price of some of AM2 Athlon 64 X2s on August 13th. Athlon 64 X2 4000+,the 4200+ and the X2 4400+ will all have their prices cut. Earlier on Aug 6th,AMD has released dual-core Opteron 8222, 2222, 1222 at 3GHz/95W and Opteron 8224SE, 2224 SE at 3.2GHz/119W and cut some of the older Opteron models prices.

ASUS P5GD2 Grantsdale-P Board

P5GD1 : Intel Grantsdale-P, LGA775 processors, DualChannel DDR400, Gigabit LAN, IEEE1394, High Definition Audio
P5GD2 : Intel Grantsdale-P, LGA775 processors, Dual Channel DDR2 533,Gigabit LAN, IEEE1394, High Definition Audio

Apple iPhone 5 to launch before 4 October

Former Apple marketing chief, John Martellaro, has expressed that Apple isnt all keeping quiet about their new products, but the company has carefully and purposely plan of releasing certain relevant information to the media as part of their marketing effort. This time, the rumor comes from the American telco AT&T. According to a leaked memo, the company will be making some adjustments on the mobile insurance of the Apple iPhone and other devices from 17 July till 4 October. Previously, it was US$9 and now it will be adjusted between US$4.99 to US$6.99 (and probably increase of monthly prices).

The question is, why should anyone be concerned as to AT&T choosing this period to adjust their mobile insurance? If you recalled, this period overlaps that of the rumored launch month (which is September), and it would seem logical that the iPhone 5 would be launched before the 4 October deadline.

Source: imobile.com.cn

Arctic Debuts Freezer 13 Pro CPU Cooler

Arctic Cooling has unveiled the Freezer 13 Pro CPU cooler, promising improved performance over its predecessor, the Freezer 13 released in October 2010.

Measuring 134 x 96 x 159mm and weighing 902g, the massive cooler has four U-shaped 8mm copper heat-pipes, fourty-seven 0.5mm-thick aluminum fins, a copper base, and is cooled by two fluid dynamic bearing fans - a PWM 120mm and 50mm model that operates at 300 ~ 1250RPM and 700 ~ 2700RPM respectively.

It is compatible with all Intel LGA 775/ 1155/ 1156/ 1366 and AMD S754/ S939/ AM2(+)/ AM3 processors and comes with pre-applied MX-4 thermal grease. The Freezer 13 Pro, covered by a 6-year warranty, is available through authorized resellers and e-tailers at a MSRP of US$54.90/ €39.90 (without VAT).

News via [Legit Reviews]

Apple developed touchscreen phone prototype in 1983

Apple developed a prototype for a touchscreen phone as far back as 1983, but decided not to go through with it, a decision that ultimately led to the iPhones release many years later in 2007.

The prototype was developed by Hartmut Esslinger, founder of Frogdesign, which helped design numerous Apple products, including the IIc computer, the first Apple product to feature the snow white colour that became iconic of the companys design principles.The phone looks like a traditional landline, with a built-in tablet screen that is operated by a stylus, a feature that Steve Jobs dropped from the original iPhone design. It looks pretty dated and the screen is particularly dull and unimpressive, but the fact that the technology could have been released so long ago opens a lot of what if questions.The phone industry could have been a very different place if Apple released this product in the 1980s, but it was probably a wise decision to hold off, as the market was likely not ready for it. It would have almost definitely have been expensive, which is no surprise for Apple, but likely a lot more so than the iPhone, given the general lack of availability of such technology at the time.With such a potential high price tag, and the lack of consumer loyalty built by the success of the iPod, this device could have been a major flop, which could have made Apple think twice about developing the iPhone.Source and Image Credit: Ubergizmo

Asus and MSI displays mini-ITX H61 boards at CeBIT

We should soon be seeing some much more affordable mini-ITX boards for Intels second generation of Core i processors and both Asus and MSI has shown off new models based on the new H61 budget chipset for the platform. The two boards are quite different in terms of what they offer though and were pretty sure that these are only two of the first boards of many to come.

Asus has gone for a full-on HTPC design for its P8H61-I with a x16 PCI Express slot, four SATA 3Gbps ports and two headers for an additional four USB 2.0 ports. Around the back the board has a PS/2 port, four USB 2.0 ports, two USB 3.0 ports, a Gigabit Ethernet port, a D-sub, DVI and HDMI port and three audio jacks for 5.1-channel audio. Bear in mind that this is a budget board and it wont compete with the H67 boards in terms of features.

MSI on the other hand decided to go really basic with its H61I-E35 and only included a x1 PCI Express slot, although you still get four SATA 3Gbps ports and two headers for four USB 2.0 ports. Around the back the MSI board appears to have a PS/2 port, six USB 2.0 ports, a D-sub and HDMI port and three audio jacks for 5.1-channel audio. This board should be very affordable and a great match with the upcoming Sandy Bridge Pentium and Celeron processors expected later this year.

Source: Impress PC Watch, Computer Base

Android 2.3 Gingerbread coming to Samsung Galaxy S

Samsung has performed well in the Android smartphone market in 2010, with the introduction of their Galaxy S (model: GT-I9000) which has since sold more than 10 million units. According to reports, the Samsung Galaxy S will soon have an upgrade to Android 2.3 Gingerbread.

A Samsung Germany official has expressed that the Galaxy S I9000 will receive the update in March, though no specific date or details were given. If the news is believed to be true, this surely benefits the Galaxy S owners and the Android 2.3 Gingerbread update will no doubt provide better features, performance and experience.

Source: xda.cn

AMD To Sample 90nm CPUs In Q2 2004

AMD is scheduled to deliver chip samples using a90nm manufacturing process on 8-inch wafers in the second quarter of next year.The chip samples will be cranked out from AMD’s Fab 30 in Dresden, Germany. Thefab, which uses a 0.13-micron process, will migrate to 90nm in the second halfof 2004. AMD hoped to ramp up 90nm chip production in the second quarter of nextyear, but has delayed that schedule by two to three months. San Diego, the 90nmsuccessor of the current Athlon 64 FX for high performance desktops andWinchester, the 90nm successor of Athlon 64 for mainstream desktops will arrivein H2 2004. For servers, 90nm Athens, Troy and Venus will arrive at the sametime. AMD does not have plans to outsource processors to any wafer foundry inthe immediate future. Instead, AMD is building a new 12-inch wafer fab, calledFab 36, adjacent to Fab 30. The new fab is projected to start cranking out13,000 wafers per month on a 65nm process in 2006.

2012-12-21-93

[Rumour] ATI Southern Islands / HD 6000 a minor improvement

Fudzilla reports that ATI's upcoming next generation products, codenamedSouthern Islands, are set to be a minor improvement over the current HD5000 generation. The S. Islands cores will be just a tweak on the HD5000 cores. However, Fudzilla do not make any mention of the uncoreelements. The cores or shaders of S. Islands has been rumoured to besimilar to Evergreen for a long time, but those rumours also suggestuncore elements (such as ROP) based on N. Islands. N. Islands wasoriginally meant to be the late 2010 generation, but has been delayeddue to the cancellation of TSMC's 32nm process, and major delays to28nm. Thus, S. Islands is merely a transition between Evergreen and N.Islands. N. Islands is now set to release in 2011 at 28nm.

The release for the first S. Islands part is around 3 months away, and we will consider the "minor improvement" a rumour for now. If it were true, it could be disappointing. On the other hand, one could argue that ATI doesn't really need a major revamp right now. Even with GF104, ATI still continues to enjoy a performance/watt/die-size advantage with the HD 5000 series. Perhaps a refresh of HD 5000 will be enough to beat any Nvidia product in the near future. ATI, however, have a habit of surprising us.

The last time a new generation was released on the same process was back in 2008. The HD 3000 to HD 4000 both used the same TSMC 55nm product, with no major improvements expected. Rumours suggested a 30% increase in die size (which was true) from RV670 to RV770, and this led to many to assume a 50% increase in number of shaders from 320 to 480. Less than 3 weeks before release, ATI shocked everyone, including Nvidia, by introducing a whopping 250% increase in shader count to 800, over a meagre 30% increase in die size on the same process.

This suggests that it is truly too early to speculate on performance, and S. Islands could yet have a trick or two up its sleeve.

Reference: Fudzilla

2012-12-21-15

"Patent trolls" cost many $29 billion last year

A recent study done by scholars at Boston University revealed that “patent trolls” cost individuals, organizations, and companies billions of dollars per year.

According to the study, $29 billion were put aside in 2011 by companies, among others, to obtain rights to patented ideas. Adding on to the immense cost mentioned above, there are “indirect” costs such as delays products, and loss of market share during the legal battles.

“This [$29 billion] figure does not include indirect costs to the defendants businesses such as diversion of resources, delays in new products, and loss of market share,” people involved in the study wrote.

Industry bodies that buy patents with the main goal of licensing them are one of the main culprits in the causing the huge expense. Also known as “non-practicing entities,” (NPEs) these firms don’t make the products related to the patents they own, and since they own many patents related to the work of other companies, individuals, and academic institutions they are also an obstacle for people who seek to make their innovative ideas a reality.

The BBC reported that 2,150 companies had to stage 5,842 legal battles against NPEs last year. Over half of the companies that had to put out the money to defend their patent rights last year were companies that earned less than $100 million per year. The direct costs of legal fees and indirect costs such as delayed products lead to less investment in research and development.

The authors of the study added that NPEs are causing society more harm than good because they cause stagnation in innovation by putting too much emphasis on protecting their “intellectual properties”.

Source: bbc.co.uk