Tech News

• Thermaltake and CoolerMaster Heatsink Reviews

  Published: Sunday, October 10, 2010 | By: Dennis

  Here we have a couple of CPU heatsink reviews that look strangely familiar.  What never ceases to amaze me is how varied the testing methods are from one site to the next, and how some of the results can be correct, yet incorrect at the same time.

  - Cooler Master V6GT CPU Cooler Review @ Real World Labs
  
  

  The Cooler Master V6GT is a massive CPU Cooler designed to continue the successful V-Series line launched by its predecessors the award winning V8 and V10
  

  
  - Funky Kit Review: Thermaltake Frio CPU Cooler
  
  

  In this review, we'll be taking a look at the Thermaltake Frio CPU Cooler. It's designed for both AMD (AM2, AM2+, AM3) and Intel processors (LGA 775, 1156, 1366), and features a nickel-plated copper base and large Aluminum fins, along with five heat-pipes for great cooling capacity.
  

  Be sure to check out our review of these cooler using the links below.
  
  - Cooler Master V6 GT Heatsink Review @ Ninjalane
  - Thermaltake Frio Heatsink Review @ Ninjalane

  Full ArticleVisit Website

• NL: Memory Extravaganza - Review Style

  Published: Sunday, October 10, 2010 | By: Dennis

  System Memory
  - Crucial Ballistix 1600MHZ MOD Review  @ XSReviews 
  - OC3D: Mushkin PC12800 6GB Ridgeback Review
  - OCZ ELV Platinum DDR3 1600 4GB RAM Kit @ TechwareLabs
  - Kingston HyperX H2O 6GB DDR3-2000 @ PureOverclock
  - OC3D: G.Skill FLARE PC3-16000 Memory Review
  
  Solid State Drive
  - Mach Xtreme MX-DS 120 SSD Review @ TweakPC
  - WD SiliconEdge Blue: WD on the SSD Market @ InsideHW
  - Corsair Force F40 40 GB @ techPowerUp
  - Crucial RealSSD C300 with SATA III Review @ TweakPC

  Yep, a couple of those companies are a might close to the Ninjalane Lab. 

  Full ArticleVisit Website

• Cyborg's Rat 7 adjustable gaming mouse @ The Tech Report

  Published: Friday, October 8, 2010 | By: Dennis

  Back when I used to target shoot competitively I was often awestruck by the technology that went into target rifles.  It may not sound like much to shoot the center of 5 quarter sized targets at 50 feet with a .22. but once you factor in precision free sights (4-6 clicks to move the bullet a half a line), and that the heartbeat in your thumb could move the rifle enough to totally miss the target you can appreciate when your equipment could be adjusted to fit you, instead of the other way around.
  
  The Tech Report has an article posted featuring the Cyborg Rat 7, which is basically a precision gaming mouse that can adjust to fit any operator, much like the rifles I always wanted to have.
  
  

  Cyborg's Rat 7 gaming mouse offers loads of adjustment options, plenty of precision, and a distinct visual style. We find out if it's any good.
  

  
  The trick is you still need to be able to control the mouse, and that takes skill
  Full ArticleVisit Website

• EVGA X58 Classified 3 – The Best Just Got Better!

  Published: Tuesday, October 5, 2010 | By: Dennis

  The mother of all upgrades is here!  In keeping with their Computex promise EVGA has released the anticipated upgrade to the X58 Classified to fully support USB 3.0 and SATA 3/6.  While this doesn't mean a huge boost in overall performance it does increase overall compatibility and makes the Classified competitive again with the rest of the market.

  

  Based off of the original record-shattering "Classified" design, EVGA has pushed the envelope even further on design and performance by adding the next generation high speed USB3 and SATA 3/6G Ports. These additions allow the extreme performance potential of this highly overclockable motherboard to be unleashed without reservation or delay when paired with a lightning fast SATA3/6G SSD or other high performance drive. With the capability to RAID the two attached next-generation SATA ports, you can get even more from the ultimate high performance experience.

  With any luck we may get one of these new "3" boards in for testing and see what other new things EVGA may have done.

  Full ArticleVisit Website

• GTX 480 Water Block Roundup @ PureOverclock

  Published: Monday, October 4, 2010 | By: Dennis

  What is the best cooling method for maximum heat removal with a minimal noise footprint?  If you said Liquid cooling, then  you are correct.

  We have full coverage blocks from the top companies on the market, ranging in price from $85 to $135 and various aesthetics to suit just about any preference. We’re going to load each one onto the test bench and find out which is best suited to cool the mini furnace known as the Nvidia GTX 480.

  Keep in mind that full coverage waterblocks only work on reference design video cards, sadly this is the primary reason most Super Overclock video cards are never bought by enthusiasts if they plan to watercool their entire system.

  Full ArticleVisit Website

• Asus Rampage III Gene and Sabertooth X58 motherboard Review @ TechReport

  Published: Monday, October 4, 2010 | By: Dennis

  Two distinct motherboards based on the same chipset for slightly different market segments.  Sounds confusing, but is the reality of the situation.  The Rampage III featured in the review is a MicroATX design with a heart for overclocking, while the Sabertooth is a low cost bulletproof design for the mainstream market.

  Calling the Sabertooth a retro motherboard doesn't do justice to the fact that this is cutting-edge high technology. Still, I can't help but feel like the board is a bit of a throwback—in a good way. The color scheme, for example, looks like it was inspired by the palette from the original Quake.

  Both boards look great, however the green, brown, black color found on the Sabertooth is butt ugly.

  Full ArticleVisit Website

• Intel Core i5-760 Performance-Review @ TweakPC

  Published: Monday, October 4, 2010 | By: Dennis

  Seems I have been out of the processor loop for awhile and didn't even notice the Core i5-760 in the current lineup.  Based on the specs the i5-760 is a 2.8Ghz version of the Core i5-750 with the obvious performance enhancements.

  Be warned thsi review is in "de" language, but they offer an American flag link that will do a google translation into English.

  We did a preview of the Core i5-760 before. Now we check the real CPU. How does the Core i5-760 perform in our benchmarks?
  

  On a side note I have been trying like crazy to get my trusty Core i5-750, featured in several P55 motherboard reviews, up to 5Ghz.  So far the best I've been able to accomplish is a meagar 4.4Ghz on Air, Water, and Phase.

  Full ArticleVisit Website

• Psyko Audio 5.1 Gaming Headset @ Techgage

  Published: Monday, October 4, 2010 | By: Dennis

  We have all seen 5.1 surround sound heatphones before; some have more than one speaker while others just claim they do.  Being somewhat of an audio buff I pride myself in knowing when proper surround sound has been implemented vs when it is faked using speaker timing.
  
  Psyko Audio has the real deal.
  
  

  The gaming market isn't lacking of quality headsets, but it is lacking of any that seem to do anything unique. Psyko Audio looks to break that mold, by delivering a 5.1 gaming headset that defies convention. The speakers aren't in the earcups, but rather the headband, and that results in quite an interesting aural experience.
  

  
  I was able to demo these headsets at CES 2 years ago and was totally blown away.  The technology was there, the imaging was there, and most importantly, ALL of the requred speakers were present and accounted for.
  
  
  
  Full ArticleVisit Website

• NL: Review Block - Forgetting to Remember, Memory

  Published: Monday, October 4, 2010 | By: Dennis

  We don't see many memory reviews anymore despite there being several really cool modules currently being sold.  Here are a couple memory related reviews that fell into the inbox this week.

  System Memory Modules - Overclocking Baby!!
  - G.Skill Trident 2000 MHz DDR3 CL9 8GB Kit @ techPowerUp
  - G.Skill Ripjaws PC3-12800 (1600MHz) 8GB Kit @ TweakTown
  
  Solid State Disks
  - 11-Way SSD Roundup 2010 @ Real World Labs
  - Funky Kit Review: OCZ Vertex 2 60Gb SSD
  

  Full ArticleVisit Website

• Electronic Arts deny access to play Taliban in new Metal of Honor

  Published: Friday, October 1, 2010 | By: Dennis

  This is a strange turn for EA, normally they play the (freedom of speech / talk to the hand) card when people complain about what they do.  I guess "in these tough economic times" they aren't taking any chances and actually listening to the public. 

  In this case, for good reason.

  Bravo!

  Electronic Arts Inc. will no longer allow gamers to play the newest edition of its military-themed video game "Medal of Honor" as Taliban fighters "shooting" U.S. and NATO troops in Afghanistan, the video game publisher said Friday.
  
  In a posting on the company's "Medal of Honor" blog, EA said that it is renaming the "Taliban" team "Opposing Force" in the wake of concerns voiced by friends and families of soldiers who have died.
  
  The option to play as the Taliban was to be included in the multiplayer mode of "Medal of Honor" that is coming out Oct. 12.

  It is about time game developers were given a reality check.  Granted games become more real when they relate to current events, but also become very dated at the same time. 

  Of course the best solution would be to create to "fake" sides like they did in Command and Conquer.  At least then nobody can complain that it is US vs USSR since it says GDI vs NOD on the box. 

  Full ArticleVisit Website