HardOCP

"How does a 9800 GTX compare to SLI, 3-way SLI, and Quad SLI? We have completed an SLI scaling evaluation using our real world gameplay techniques as well as apples-to-apples testing to see what SLI, 3-way SLI, and Quad SLI can do to improve your gameplay experience.

... In this evaluation we are going to utilize three GeForce 9800 GTX video cards, as well as two GeForce 9800 GX2 video cards. All video cards are running at NVIDIA suggested clock speeds. Remember, each GPU on the GeForce 9800 GX2 actually runs at lower clock speeds than the GeForce 9800 GTX. Each GPU on the GeForce 9800 GX2 runs at 600MHz core (vs. 675MHz on the 9800 GTX) and 1.5GHz stream processors (vs. 1.688GHz on the 9800 GTX) and 2GHz memory (vs. 2.2GHz on the 9800 GTX.) "

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CPU3D Review: Xigmatek HDT-D1284 CPU Cooler

Ultra quiet heatpipe CPU coolers are now everywhere. But what makes the Xigmatek HDT-D1284 CPU cooler different is that it features their own technology called Heatpipe Direct Touch. It consists of 4 ultra-thick copper heatpipes which are exposed at the base of the heatsink unit, allowing direct contact with the processor. Furthermore, the whole heatsink is cooled by a large 120mm fan which also helps cool components around the processor socket.

" The Xigmatek HDT-D1284 is a decent cooler, but there are better ones out there. However, if you're after slience and good cooling performance, then this CPU cooler could be worth considering. "

Read the rest of the review ... HERE.

The INQ

VR-Zone

"When Super Talent released its 4GB PC3-1800 kit we thought that, at least at first, its competitors would try to catch up and release similar offers and to some extent - Corsair's case, that is true but not the whole story. While we're sure they'll have a high-capacity DDR3-1800 kit, OCZ has today went all the way and has become the first company to unveil a 4GB PC3-16000 memory kit. The new offer features two 2GB modules certified to work at 2000 MHz with timing set to 9-9-9-28 and powered at 1.9 Volts.

"It is no myth that higher memory densities make it harder to push higher clock frequencies," commented Dr. Michael Schuette, VP of Technology Development at OCZ Technology. "OCZ Technology pulled off this seemingly impossible task with the release of the world’s fastest high-density memory solution."

The new memory is part of OCZ's Platinum line-up so it utilizes a proprietary platinum-mirrored XTC (Xtreme Thermal Convection) heatspreaders plus, it comes equipped with a lifetime warranty. This DDR3-2000 kit is set to hit the stores in the coming weeks and will surely have a scary price tag."

DailyTech

"The Yahoo/Microsoft saga finally came to a conclusion yesterday when Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer withdrew his company's offer to purchase Yahoo for $47.5B. Both sides expressed their frustrations with the rocky deal and both CEOs released statements yesterday. "I still believe even today that our offer remains the only alternative put forward that provides your stockholders full and fair value for their shares," said Ballmer in a statement Saturday evening. "By failing to reach an agreement with us, you and your stockholders have left significant value on the table."

"This process has underscored our unique and valuable strategic position," added Yang. "With the distraction of Microsoft’s unsolicited proposal now behind us, we will be able to focus all of our energies on executing the most important transition in our history so that we can maximize our potential to the benefit of our shareholders, employees, partners and users." Despite the differing views on the outcome of the failed marriage from the respective CEOs, the fallout is already starting to rain down from the sky -- and most of the negative attention seems to be focused on Yahoo CEO Jerry Yang.

Analysts are already stating that Yahoo's nearly 50 percent stock price surge was inflated solely due to Microsoft's interest in the company -- with Microsoft now parting ways, those gains are almost guaranteed to disappear. That would leave the company valued at roughly $30B instead of Microsoft's offering of $47.5B (taking into account the additional $5B that Microsoft offered which was rejected by Yahoo)."

More..

Some DRAM makers have started allotting more capacity for commodity DRAM, especially SO-DIMMs for notebooks, the sources said. Capacity for GDDR has started to strain amid the strategic capacity allocation, they noted. As DRAM makers are expected to reserve capacity priority for commodity DRAM for 1-2 quarters, a price revision for GDDR is thus likely, they said. The sources indicated that a price hike is likely to be seen from the second half of May, as some system makers are expected to completely digest their inventory by then."

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Dailytech

CPU3D Preview: Antec NeoPower 650W PSU and Antec 300 Chassis

Got some more review samples from Antec. Our CPU3D review team will be taking a look at the Antec NeoPower 650W PSU and Antec 300 Chassis.

            

Both products are aimed at the mainstream market and should offer an affordable solution for gamers. Watch out for out reviews coming soon. In the meantime take a look at the photo gallery below.

CNet

"Microsoft's discussions with Yahoo "intensified" Friday as the two companies considered possibilities for a last-minute friendly acquisition, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing anonymous sources.

While a deal is far from imminent, the two sides are talking more directly than they have for some time, a source familiar with the situation told CNET News.com. The talks, which picked up steam on Friday, are being held in the San Francisco Bay Area, with at least some of the parties on both sides meeting in person, the source said.

And The New York Times had a similar assessment, citing a source who said talks were back on and that Microsoft had increased its offer by "several dollars." Late Friday afternoon, the Journal said that the two companies were "discussing a possible price in the mid-$30s range per share."

The purported talks, if successful, could spare Microsoft the trouble and time of a hostile bid for the search company, if indeed it chooses not to walk away from its three-month-long attempt to acquire Yahoo.

The talks are no guarantee a deal will close, but investors found the evidence convincing. Yahoo's stock rose $1.82, or 7 percent, to $28.63, in late-day trading.

It should be noted that Microsoft's position, as viewed through the "people familiar with the matter" who have The Wall Street Journal on speed dial, has changed dramatically in a short period of time. In the last day, Microsoft has moved from threatening to walk away, to threatening go hostile with the acquisition, to back in "intense" talks. "

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