Tech News
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NL: PC Hardware Review Roundup
Published: Monday, July 13, 2009 | By: WillIt has been a while since we have had a huge PC Hardware Review Roundup. So let's do it.
Motherboards & Processors
- MSI G41TM-E43 Motherboard Review @ Motherboard
- Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD4P @ Hardwareoverclock
- AMD Phenom II X4 955 CPU Review @ MotherboardMemory
- Corsair Dominator GT DDR3-2000 8-8-8-24 Memory Kit Review @ ThinkComputers
- OCZ Platinum vs. Crucial Ballistix DDR3-1600 Review @ Virtual-HideoutVideo Cards
- ASUS Radeon HD EAH4890 HTDI/1GD5 Video Card @ Legit Reviews
- ASUS ENGTX275 Review @ OCC
- Gigabyte GV-R435OC-512I Radeon HD 4350 Half-Height Videocard Review @ PCStats
- ATI Radeon HD 4770 reviewed @ ITReviewedCases
- Raidmax Monster Mid-Tower Case @ Modders-Inc
- Chieftec Aegis CX-05B-B 11-Bay Steel ATX Case Review @ ThinkComputers -
Slackware Linux going 64 bit
Published: Monday, July 13, 2009 | By: DennisThis might be old news to some of you but for the longest time Slackware Linux was x86 only with really no indication that the distro author, Patrick Volkerding, would create a port.
Well the wait is over and Slackware 64 is on its way.
Ready or not, Slackware has now gone 64-bit with an official x86_64 port being maintained in-sync with the regular x86 -current branch. DVDs will be available for purchase from the Slackware store when Slackware 13.0 is released. Many thanks go out to the Slackware team for their help with this branch and a special thank you to Eric Hameleers who did the real heavy lifting re-compiling everything for this architecture, testing, re-testing, and staying in-sync with -current.
There have been many side projects using Slackware to offer 64 bit support but none of them were official or supported by the Slackware creators. I suspect that much of that code base was used in creating this new version but only the developers will know.
So why all of a sudden Linux news?? well I've been Slackware since the beginning, admittedly I'm not a hardcore Linux user but I have had a Linux server running on my network for the past 10+ years and it has always been Slackware, it is the premier Linux distro for those that truly want to know Linux the way it was intended to be.
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Cooler Master Gladiator 600 Case Review @ Gamepyre
Published: Monday, July 13, 2009 | By: WillHere is another review of the CM Gladiator 600 that we here at Ninjalane just posted a review of. Read ours first then read theirs to get all the info and low down on this case.
"From an enthusiast's point of view this case is in many ways a more inexpensive brother of Cooler Master's CM Storm Scout case. The case has rounded edges, meaning you won't cut your hand when operating on the system, adequate cooling and great cable management. There is room for four 140mm fans and a 120mm fan or alternatively up to five 120mm fans. The tool-less drive installation, and the FP I/O is a great addition to a good case. Another big plus is the hole in the CPU area that allows you to change out the CPU and CPU cooler without removing the motherboard from the case. This case sells for about $65.00 online and is a solid case that can get the job done and still have some pleasing features to make it an attractive buy."
Okay just read ours then maybe read theirs.
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MSI NGTX260 Lightning Black Edition @ InsideHW
Published: Monday, July 13, 2009 | By: WillThis is just a friendly reminder that MSI has got some cool video cards out in the wild, and more are to come. Check out this beauty from them the Lighting Black Edition.
"This is the best GTX260 graphics card on the market at this moment. Maybe this statement sounds too pompous, but it is pretty much real. MSI GTX260 Lightning is card that was created as result of MSI efforts and goal to create "perfect" graphics card. This model is, obviously, best suited for enthusiasts: for users that don't ask for price when they want to have best piece of hardware in its class. This "class" is very important, because no matter how good and fast this card is, it will never be faster than most GTX285 and faster models, although it will be capable to put a good fight against GTX 275..."
These look just down right awesome.
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NL: PC Game Reviews Roundup
Published: Thursday, July 9, 2009 | By: WillHere we have another roundup of games for the PC. One of them is such a classic from everybodies youth that it is hard to not want it.
"Street Fighter IV brings the legendary fighting series back to its roots by taking the beloved fighting moves and techniques of the original Street Fighter II, and infusing them with Capcom's latest advancements in gaming technology. The result is a truly extraordinary experience destined to reintroduce players, both familiar with the Street Fighter series and those coming to the game for the first time, to the time-honored art of virtual martial arts. Street Fighter IV brings a brand new fighting game to fans the world over? See you in the following Review from Technic3D."
"By releasing 'Fuel' Codemasters extends its selection of Racing Games and tries to win the players over with new features and a high level of interacting freedom. The guys from Southam already succeeded in creating an astonishing game with 'Race Driver Grid'. Whether they we're able to create a game of addictive quality again or not - you'll find out on the following pages."
Did you guess which one it is.
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Prolimatech Megahalems CPU Cooler @ PCShopTalk
Published: Thursday, July 9, 2009 | By: WillHere at Ninjalane we love to play with our watercooling setups, but getting ahold of an awesome high end air cooler is priceless. From the looks of things the Prolimatech has just such a kind of cooler to impress even us.
"In this review, I will test a very interesting cooler from Prolimatech, which design fits perfectly with the rest of the cooling system on DFI LP UT motherboards, has a futuristic looking mounting system, and will compare its performance with the other CPU coolers I have tested in the past."
So Prolimatech where is ours to torture at?
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NVidia's Past Drives Reports About Apple
Published: Tuesday, July 7, 2009 | By: WillThis looks to be another soap opera just waiting to happen for NVidia. They seem to not be getting a break at all here recently. Interesting read with info on the new MAC OS using OpenCL in there also.
"The word is that Nvidia is out of Apple designs," according to a June 26 report from technology Web site SemiAccurate. The report has been cited widely with varying degrees of credence given to it.
"When I say out, I mean on the Nehalem-based Macs," Charlie Demerjian, the author of the report, said in a phone interview Monday, referring to future laptops from Apple that will be based on Intel's new Nehalem Core i series of chips.
Let's hope they can hug and make up before Snow Leopard is out.
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ASUS M4A79 Deluxe AM3 High Performance Motherboard @ TechwareLabs
Published: Tuesday, July 7, 2009 | By: WillAMD has had a rough time in the last couple years, but this new AM3 format is really picking up for the enthusiast out there. Low in price and great on the overclocking potential. Bang for the buck here folks, and to be able to do that is pairing it up with a great motherboard.
"Over-clocking, Tweaking, Optimizing, are just a few terms used by PC users whom TechwareLabs list as Extreme Gamers or those who are not just looking to get the most from their systems, but are the ones who are willing to spend hours tweaking their systems to get every last clock cycle from their system. ASUS has built a motherboard like nothing that has been release to date. The ASUS M4A79 Deluxe is an over-clocker's dream when it comes to selecting processor, RAM, DRAM, North and South bridge voltages"
Like that Asus M4A79 board.
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Scimitar Computers Vertex Pyramid Case @ techPowerUp
Published: Tuesday, July 7, 2009 | By: WillNinjalane always love unique stuff, and cases are some of the best things to be unique. Looks like these guys have got a real strange one on there hands. A pyramid shaped computer case.
"The Vertex is a very unique HTPC chassis. Shaped like a pyramid and constructed of solid metal sheets along with a choice of three colors, the case is certainly an eye catcher. The chassis is currently available in very limited quantities, but you can count on us to get one of them to fill up with hardware for your viewing pleasure."
I usually dig this kind of strange stuff, but this one is just not doing it for me.
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ATI HD 4890 1GB CrossFire - AMD Phenom II 955 BE vs Intel Core i7 920 @ ModReactor
Published: Monday, July 6, 2009 | By: WillHere is some good reading for all of you guys and gals on the fence on which gaming PC is for you. Looking at the age old war of AMD vs. Intel. Which one make us a little more happy to open our wallets up too.
"If we're considering a gaming system - you saw the graphics and prices. With clear continence we recommend the platform based on AMD Phenom II 955 BE. The processor provides more performance in the system without overclock and the platform is cheaper, however we know for a fact that it falls behind Core i7 920 in other professional and general application such as video, audio and file compression, rendering, etc. Where's the catch? If you are overclock enthusiasts and want to squeeze the maximum out of your system, you should know that it's normal to squeez around 50% from i7 920 but its rarely possible to get more than 15-20% overclock on Phenom II 955 BE with air cooler."
Well I will say Intel has it's hands in my wallet all the time.
