The computer and I.T. industry seem to be holding off the recent downturn from the credit crunch, with reports of profits from another giant like IBM. 

BBC

"IBM's profits have come in better than expected, helped by cash-strapped companies calling it in to help cut costs and improve IT infrastructure. Net profit for the three months to the end of June came in at $2.77bn, which is up 22% on the same period of 2007.

IBM also raised its own forecast for earnings for the whole of 2008. The company has also benefited from the weakness of the US dollar, as it means that its earnings from outside the US are more valuable. The news sent shares up $1.90, or 1.5%, to $128.42.

The company's sales jumped 13% in the three month period, but the increase would only have been 6% without the effect of the weaker "

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CPU3D Review: G.SKILL DDR3-1600 (PC3-12800) 4Gb Kit

Are you an enthusiast with a DDR3 motherboard running Windows Vista? Well, G.SKILL's DDR3-1600 (PC3-12800) 4Gb kits is probably what you'll need. Rated to run at 800Mhz with a low memory timings of 7-7-7-18, these 4Gb kits are a definite winner. Our CPU3D review team takes a closer look.

             

"... G.Skill have delivered what seems to be an affordable DDR3 ram that offers good memory timings ... Great performance and its slick aesthetics make this memory kit a winner." 

Read the rest of the review ... HERE.

HardOCP

"Sigma is back with a high powered computer PSU coming in rated at 700 watts this time. If you are an enthusiast thinking about installing some of the newer more powerful GPUs, a 700w rated PSU or something thereabouts, should be on your list.

... Sigma is a name that is probably not very familiar to most users; however Sigma’s “sister” brand RaidMax is probably more familiar as is their parental company Raidcom Technologies. As a company, Raidcom Technologies has been around for some time now and is most familiar to users because of the cases and other accessories they produce including power supplies. The Raidmax branded power supplies to date have been from various OEM’s and are best known for being bundled with RaidMax' cases. Today though, the new Sigma branded unit (SP-700) we are looking at is a more modern offering and it is sourced from the ever popular Chinese/Taiwanese based FSP."

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CPU3D Deals: Inno3D Geforce 9800GTX+ pre-order at Specialtech

Specialtech have announced that they now taking pre-orders on the Inno3D Geforce 9800GTX+ 512MB DDR3 graphics cards. Check out their latest prices ... you'll be amazed.

They're also doing a "TODAY ONLY" special ... Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 @ £102.00. Hurry while stock lasts.

 

"The NVIDIA® GeForce® 9800 GTX-based graphics card raises the performance bar by enabling full-throttle lifelike game play while providing optimal power management with HybridPower technology. The PureVideo® HD engine also delivers unmatched video and movie quality. Couple it with nForce® SLI®-ready motherboards and get amplified performance up to 2x in a dual SLI configuration and up to 2.8x in 3-way SLI* mode. Packing more performance at an exceptional value, this GPU offers extreme HD gaming and a first-class entertainment experience. " 

A 7th quarterly loss in a row is without doubt the undoing of AMD CEO Hector Ruiz. Maybe we'll see better results with Dirk.

Dailytech

Most recently, AMD announced that it would take another $880 million USD charge due to the poor performance of ATI's Consumer electronics division.

Today, AMD CEO Hector Ruiz stepped down from his position with the company. Ruiz joined the company in January 2000 and became CEO in April 2002. Ruiz will be replaced by the current Number 2 in charge, Dirk Meyer. Ruiz will stay on as the executive chairman of AMD's Board of Directors. "

LINK

Say that again?!?! ... 3.2Ghz Extreme series of the new Bloomfield processor cheaper than the current QX9770 Extreme.

Digitimes

"In order to speed up adoption of quad-core CPUs, Intel is planning to offer its upcoming 3.2GHz Extreme series Bloomfield processor at US$999 in thousand-unit tray quantities, US$500 cheaper compared to the current top-end Core 2 Extreme QX9770 which sells at US$1,499, according to sources at motherboard makers.

In the past, Intel had always priced its flagship Extreme model at US$999, but recent product launches saw the company abandon its traditional pricing scale, and introduce even steeper prices. The news that Intel seems to have returned to its old ways is likely to be good news for enthusiasts expecting to pay a hefty premium to own the latest high-end system.

In addition to the 3.2GHz Extreme CPU, Intel will also introduce a performance version clocked at 2.93GHz and quoted at US$562, and a mainstream model running at 2.66GHz and carrying a price tag of US$284. All three models will run on X58 chipset motherboards with the new LGA 1366 socket. Intel declined the opportunity to respond to this report."

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CPU3D Preview: Samsung SyncMaster 245B LCD Monitor

Our office/lab was in desparate need of a new monitor ... luckily thanks to *cough * cough*  we managed to get our hands on a Samsung SyncMaster 245B LCD Monitor. The monitor arrived this morning and I must admit ... it looks absolutely beautiful.

           

The Samsung SyncMaster 245B LCD Monitor boasts a maximum resolution of 1920x1200, detachable stereo speakers, response time of 5ms, supports HDCP and has a contrast ratio of 1000:1 / 3000:1 (dynamic). Watch out for our full exclusive review coming soon ... but in the meantime, take a look at our photo gallery.

Tweaktown

"Well before NVIDIA had any plans for DDR3, EPP or Extreme Performance Profile DDR2 memory was making its way into the mainstream. These modules were really designed to work with 680i chipsets, since any AMD solutions have the memory controller moved to the CPU, this eliminated any offerings NVIDIA can give.

... Corsair, one of the largest memory manufacturers has pumped out a solid 4GB DDR3 kit. Let’s see what it has to offer us."

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More bad news for AMD/ATI ... they reported its 7th quarterly loss in a row !! Now most companies would have gone bust by the 2nd or 3rd quarterly loss. May be AMD should be awarded a World record for this achievement alone. 

BBC

"Chip maker Advanced Micro Devices has reported its seventh quarterly loss in a row as it continues to lose market share to its rival Intel. AMD lost $1.19bn (£596m) between April and June, even though sales were up on the same period a year ago.

The firm said chief executive Hector Ruiz would be replaced by chief operating officer Dirk Meyer, but Mr Ruiz will remain as executive chairman. The firm had warned this year that sales were weak in all product lines. "Processors were weak. Graphics was in line," said Charter Equity Research analyst John Dryden.

AMD's results came days after Intel posted a 25% gain in net profit. "They're losing share to Intel and they haven't been able to reverse the losses in spite of new products across server, notebook and desktop," Mr Dryden added. "

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Hexus

"One of the most eye-catching games at E3 this week has been the Unreal-engine 3 powered, Mirror’s Edge, a blisteringly-fast first person action adventure from EA’s DiCE Studio.

The screenshots we’ve been treated to thus far are opulently impressive, as sharp as a crystal and as shiny as a polished diamond, but prior to E3, it’s fairly easy to get side-tracked by such glossy visuals without being able to examine exactly what’s beneath its glistening exterior.

Following its outing this week in Los Angeles, it’s innards have now been scrupulously examined and we're pleased to say that it looks like Mirror's Edge has a lot more going for it than looks.

The new trailer, shown below, besides from showing the unique art-style of the game, demonstrates how speed and movement has been expertly captured as you traverse the sparkling metropolis.

Although there’s combat in the game too, running is the major theme in Mirror’s Edge.

The main character - and the only playable one in the game - is the silky-skinned Faith, a runner (or courier) who rather than rely on modern forms of communication to pass on messages, uses her strength and agility to pass them throughout the criminal underworld.

Faith became a runner after being forced into it following the death of her parents who were killed whilst protesting against the totalitarian government’s agenda. Having been bought up on the streets, Faith was taught ways in which to avoid the extensive government surveillance that now suffocates the city.

Faith now uses her strength and agility to shimmy up drain-pipes, leap from building to building and traverse objects in and around the city as she attempts to escape the pursuing government goons who have caught on to her illegal activities."

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