OCZ Technology Introduces the Latest DDR3 Kits within the Intel Extreme Memory Series

Delft, Netherlands—July 3, 2008—OCZ Technology Group (LSE: OCZ), a worldwide leader in innovative, ultra-high performance and high reliability memory, today announced the expansion of its Intel® Extreme Memory modules lineup, the latest memory solution that implements a high-performance specification optimized and predefined for the Intel X38 and X48 chipsets. The new modules are rated at DDR3-1333 and DDR3-1600 and feature the all-new Intel branded black XTC heatspreader. With a long history of providing the most innovative products to the enthusiast community, OCZ is excited to take advantage of Intel’s interest and development of overclocking platforms with these latest additions to the series.

Designed to significantly increase performance levels of the entire platform, these modules feature Intel Extreme Memory Profiles (XMP), a proprietary extension of SPD (Serial Presence Detect) settings that act as an integrated “plug and play” overclocking tool. The new Extreme Memory Profile options on the new OCZ DDR3 modules allow the end user to select extreme or ultimate performance through a framework of predefined and validated optimizations of individual settings without the hassle of manually adjusting each parameter, so the timings, voltage, and speed boot automatically for maximum performance.

I can't wait until I get my hands on these Radeon HD4870x2 in August ... This card will probably be the most anticipated alternatives to the Geforce 9800GX2.

Digitimes

"Following the recent launch of the ATI Radeon HD 4850 and 4870 GPUs, AMD plans to introduce the high-end dual-GPU HD 4870 X2 by the end of July, according to sources at graphics card vendors.Evaluation samples are schedule to be available in mid-July, and AMD will begin shipping reference design boards with 2GB GDDR5 memory at the end of the month, the sources detailed.

In mid-August, AMD will also begin shipping the 4870 X2 (RV770XT) GPU to partners wishing to design custom cards, the sources added. HD 4870 X2 graphics cards are expected to be priced around US$499, the sources detailed."

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CPU3D Preview: Crucial Ballistix DDR3-2000 PC3-16000 2Gb Kit

Thanks to Crucial Technologies and Lexar Media, we just received samples of their Ballistix DDR3-2000 PC3-16000 2Gb Kit. These modules are rated to run at 1000Mhz (that's 2Ghz DDR) with memory timings of 9-9-9-28. It sounds extremely high ... but I'm sure these modules will run pretty well.

               

What I'm really interested is ... how far will these modules overclock to. Watch out for a review coming soon, but in the meantime, take a look at the photo gallery below.

Check out this great guide from Tweaktown on how to change/replace your memory heat spreaders

Tweaktown

"Welcome to another session of void-your-warranty, as today we will look at upgrading the stock heat spreaders on a pair of Kingston DDR2 memory modules. What we will do here is run through a step-by-step of removing the plain flat aluminum spreaders that come with most RAM modules and upgrading them with some Nexus HXR-550B Heat-Pipe memory coolers.

... If you are doing this for multiple modules, you will probably want to make sure a pair look matched, so make sure you stick the RAM the right way around in the new RAM-sinks. If you are doing a series of four modules, take extra note of the width and airflow available when all four modules are seated; it can get pretty hot and tight!"

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Exclusive to CPU3D readers - 20% Off on selected items. Today Only.

Specialtech are giving a massive 20% off on selected items to ALL CPU3D readers. This is a "TODAY ONLY"  Special ... so hurry while stock lasts.

 - XFX 8200 AM2+ motherboard 
 - BFG GeForce GTX 280 OC 
 - Terratec Dual Tuner Freeview PCI-E card

Don't forget about the special FREE Prize Draw for July 2008 sponsored by Specialtech ... For more information go HERE.

AMD's upcoming Deneb AM3 chips will make it easier for users to upgrade as it won't only work in AM3 sockets, but is also compatible with the AM2+ socket as they use the same pin-layout. When used with AM3 it will use DDR3, with the AM2+it will be using DDR2.
This will allow you to keep your AM2+ motherboard and DDR2 memory when upgrading to the next generation of AMD's CPUs.

Fudzilla

"AMD managed to pull one small miracle. The first 45nm native quad core from AMD labs codenamed Deneb and Deneb FX will be native socket AM3.

However AM3 will have an identical pin out as socket AM2+ (Socket 940) and if you plug Deneb in Socket AM2 it will work as DDR2 chip and if you plug it in socket AM3 it will work as DDR3.
This will be very convenient as it will make transition easier. This will be the first time after many years that AMD has decided to make an easy upgradeable CPU environment. In the past when AMD changed the memory support that would mean a new motherboard and a new CPU but this time moving to DDR3 will require a new motherboard but the same CPU will work in your old DDR2 socket AM2+ board and the new DDR3. 

The timing makes sense as AMD needs to make Deneb and later Propus as sexy as it possible can as this much delayed chip will have some nasty competition in the guise of Yorkfield and Nehalem to fight. Sometimes working under pressure of fearsome competition results with such a pleasant surprise such as this one."

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Leaked AMD Catalyst drivers? Yes indeed and hopefully it will happen more often as not only the users, but also the company could benefit of this by getting out bugs. Be aware that these 8.7 drivers are Beta, so try them out at your own risk.

TechConnect

"Something that you don't see every day is a Catalyst leak and since that's what happened, today is officially a 'special' day. First found by the guys @ pctreiber.net, the Catalyst 8.7 beta version now available contains the 8.520 version display driver (Catalyst 8.6 comes with 8.501), is dated June 25th and features support for almost every Radeon-branded card since the days of the 9500 plus the recently-released Radeon HD 4800 cards:

"ATI Radeon HD 4800 Series" = ati2mtag_R7X, PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_9440
"ATI Radeon HD 4800 Series " = ati2mtag_R7X, PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_9442

The fresh and hopefully funky Catalyst 8.7 beta can be downloaded from 2Many by following the links below..."

- Catalyst 8.7 beta (Windows XP 32 and 64bit)
- Catalyst 8.7 beta (Windows Vista 32 and 64bit)

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The guys at Tom's Hardware have tested SSD's against conventional HD's for their performance versus energy efficiency and came to quite a surprise when they saw that the SSD's use more energy than supposedly thought...

Tom's Hardware

"Flash-based solid state drives (SSDs) are considered to be the future of performance hard drives, and everyone seems to be jumping on the bandwagon. We are no exception, as we have been publishing many articles on flash-based SSDs during the last few months, emphasizing the performance gains and the potential power savings brought by flash memory. And there is nothing wrong with this, since SLC flash SSDs easily outperform conventional hard drives today (SLC = single level cell). However, we have discovered that the power savings aren’t there: in fact, battery runtimes actually decrease if you use a flash SSD."

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CPU3D Review: Glacialtech Igloo 5750 Silent CPU Cooler

There are now plenty of companies producing thermal products for PC's. Glacialtech is one of those companies. Their latest Igloo 5750 Silent CPU Cooler utilises two 92mm low rpm fans in a downward flow angle to cool not only cool the CPU, but also the surrounding socket area as well. Find out how well it cools, as our CPU3D review team puts it through the test.

           

Read the rest of the review ... HERE.

So are you now so sure what speed you're acrually getting? ... I reckon Virgin Media are not giving users the service they are paying for.

BBC

"A complaint lodged by BT about the speeds of Virgin Media's broadband service has been upheld by the Advertising Standards Authority. The challenge centred around its advertisement "Hate to Wait?", which ran in the national media and featured download times for songs and TV shows. BT argued that Virgin's usage caps meant that downloads during peak times would be slower than advertised. The ASA has agreed and ordered Virgin to make it clear that speeds will vary.

... It ruled that Virgin Media needed to clarify that download times would be restricted during peak hours. Virgin Media argued that, for users of its M 2Mbps (megabits per second) package, a TV show downloaded during peak hours would only take a few minutes longer to download.

But it did admit that users would be subject to its so-called traffic management system, which caps data usage during peak hours. It said that the issue would only affect users of the 2Mbps service. Customers on its L 4Mbps package could download 60 songs and or two TV shows before reaching caps while those on the XL 20Mbps package could download 614 songs or nine TV shows before their speeds would be subject to caps, Virgin said. "

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More watervooling VGA cards tested ... I love watercooling. It just makes your rig so bootiful ;)

HardOCP

"BFG has come out with a new branding: H20C. As the name suggests the video card comes preinstalled with a waterblock and on top of that is clocked even higher than their top tier OCX line. We see how it compares to a reference 9800 GTX and an 8800 GT.

... The video card uses the standard reference design but has an unattractive brown PCB. On the top right of the video card are the dual 6-pin power connectors and the white fan power connector in case you ever want to go back to aircooling. The card also has the standard two DVI ports and a S-video port.

The two piece waterblock has a copper base and high gloss black top. It is a full video card waterblock that covers the GPU, the memory, and the power regulators. On the top part of waterblock you can see the threads for the barbs and hex plugs. This barb and hex combination allows for a great amount flexibility when incorporating the waterblock into your loop."

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