Processors, Chipsets

Since the announcement of the Intel Pentium 4 processor with Prescott core inside quite a lot of users were wondering how well will the new core work whet its specs are cut-down to fit into the value class of processors. Thanks to enlarged cache and boosted processor system bus’ frequency, the new architecture proved to be a great value performer. Surprisingly, there are only two reviews of Intel Celeron D processors available: at X-bit labs and at AnandTech.

Graphics Cards

Adrian’s Rojak Pot continues investigation of ATI RADEON 9800-series modding possibilities. This time the web-site brings you the guide to transform the RADEON 9800-series graphics cards into ATI FIRE GL X2 solution for professionals.

For those who love history and computer graphics, EliteBastardz web-site brings a pretty useless article about useless graphic cards’ capabilities. The boys believe that useless were Quadratic texture maps on NVIDIA NV1, Head Casting engine on Matrox Graphics G550, Pixel Shaders 1.0 on ATI RADEON (in fact, the PS 1.0 were developed by 3dfx for the Rampage, while ATI was asking Microsoft to ratify Pixel Shaders 0.5 for the RADEON 256 hardware) RADEON’s three TMUs per rendering pipeline, 3dfx Voodoo Rush, Truform on ATI RADEON 8500, RT-Patches on NVIDIA GeForce 3, F-buffer on ATI RADEON 9800, T&L on S3 Savage 2000, ATI’s Rage MAXX and XGI’s Duo, T-Buffer from 3dfx.

Memory Products

Today names like Corsair, GeIL, Kingston and OCZ Technology are highly recognizable as producers of excellent memory modules for overclockers. However, there are certainly a lot more manufacturers of quality memory for personal computers and Overclockers Online decided to put one of those less-known products into the test. If you are interested in quality 400MHz DDR memory that can hit 466MHz with pretty aggressive timings, then read about Ultra Products’s dual-channel 2x512 MB PC3200 kit.

Storage Products

If you have absolutely no idea what is TCQ, RAID, SCSI, and SATA, or you trying to find additional information about the latest storage technologies and their impact on performance head to StorageReview.com’s latest article that covers everything for you.

If you have some more skills and already plan to implement RAID into your desktop or workstation, but have problems with choosing the best solution for you, try reading an article from Tom’s Hardware Guide that covers benchmarking of RAID 5 Serial ATA controllers with 4 ports from Adaptec, HighPoint, ICP Vortex, LSI Logic and Promise.

What is HDD data protection hardware? What does it do? What can you expect from it and what benefits you can get? Find your answers about HDGuard Pro at bit-tech.net.

Multimedia

There is a very interesting section at PCWorld.com called Step-By-Step. Its last issue is addressed to those who are willing to spend some money in order to convert a PC into a digital video recorder instead of buying a Media Center PC.

For years everybody was pointing out that AC’97 is an outdated solution and cannot provide the quality of sound that is expected. Intel’s first high definition audio solution is aimed to change that bringing 7.1, DolbyDigital, 192kHz/32-bit sound and loads of other capabilities. Read about the innovation of integrated audio at ExtremeTech.

Modding, PSUs, etc

Performance, silence or good looks. What do you really need from a cooler device in your PC? Modding is becoming a profession and a form of art and loads of manufactures jump on this lucrative bandwagon. Madshrimps.be web-site is taking a look at offerings from Aerocool, Sharkoon and AC Ryan.

If you want to buy yourself a new PSU for your current personal computer and then stick with it when you upgrade to a new platform that requires 24-pin connector, then Akasa PaxPower 460W Power Supply is the thing for you – it features both 20-pin and 24-pin connectors for mainboards and functions at 75% efficiency under maximum load. Read the review at TrustedReviews.

On the other hand, if you are looking for silence, you should probably buy yourself a fan-less power supply unit. Spode’s Abode has just reviewed an option for your ears. Read about Silverstone ST30NF 300W Silent Power Supply.

Mobile

Tom’s Hardware Guide reviewed quite an interesting road warrior notebook. With the Intel Pentium M and ATI RADEON IGP 9100 core-logic inside, ASUS expects its new product to be one of the best solutions for the gamers on the road. Read about ASUSTeK’s Z9000 notebook over here.