Contemporary multi-core AMD Opteron microprocessors for high-end servers utilize multi-chip-module (MCM) technology that places two six-/eight-core dies onto the same piece of substrate to create 12-core or 16-core solutions. However, a new document from AMD suggests that the chip designer is working on “native” 16-core processors with all cores on …
Read More »Corsair Hydro H105 CPU Cooler Review
Today we are going to take a look at the latest liquid CPU cooler from Corsair, the Hydro H105. Corsair are one of the longest established players in the liquid CPU cooling market and are presently the most popular brand. This can be attributed to their wide range of products …
Read More »Toshiba receives permission to buy SSD assets of OCZ
Toshiba Corp. and OCZ Technology Group on Friday announced that the U.S. Bankruptcy Court allowed the former to buy substantially all of the latter’s assets. The transaction is expected to close next week and from then OCZ will continue as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Toshiba. OCZ Technology Group continues its …
Read More »AMD sued for overestimating demand for ‘Llano’ APUs
AMD’s code-named “Llano” accelerated processing unit took around four years to develop and suffered from a lot teething problems. Market success of the “Llano” was moderate to say at least, but troubles with the chips caused massive losses for AMD. Nonetheless, it looks like AMD will have to suffer because …
Read More »Intel on track with ‘Broadwell’ production in Q1
Intel Corp. reiterated plans to start volume production of its next-generation microprocessors code-named “Broadwell” using 14nm process technology this quarter. Manufacturing yields of the chips have improved, according to the company. Commercial introduction of the new chips is expected in the second half of the year. Intel’s code-named “Broadwell” central …
Read More »Asustek and Nvidia roll-out G-Sync upgrade kit for VG248QE display
For those gamers, who want to experience the highly-anticipated G-Sync technology now, Asustek Computer and Nvidia Corp. this week rolled-out a special do-it-yourself (DIY) kit that allows to add the GPU-display synchronisation technology to existing Asus VG248QE monitor. The kit requires significant experience with assembly of electronics and is clearly …
Read More »Intel’s 2013 revenue down 1 per cent to $52.7 billion
Intel Corp. on Thursday revealed its financial results for the year 2013. The company's total sales were down 1% compared to the previous year due to soft demand for PCs. At the same time, the company sold more server-class hardware than in the previous year. The company reported full-year revenue …
Read More »Computer memory prices declined in the first half of January
The contract prices of dynamic random access memory (DRAM) began to decline in January due to increased production at SK Hynix's Wuxi plant that caught fire last year and the industry's eased shortage situation, according to DRAMeXchange, a research division of TrendForce. If DRAM makers do not cut memory production, …
Read More »TSMC begins volume production of chips using 20nm process tech
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. on Thursday said it had begun mass production of chips using 20nm process technology ahead of its own schedule. The new fabrication process will help fabless chip designers (e.g., AMD, Nvidia, Qualcomm, etc.) to create processors with higher transistor count, lower power consumption and improved performance. …
Read More »NZXT Phantom 530 Case (Red) Review
Today we are taking a look at the NZXT Phantom 530. As the direct successor to the original Phantom, the Phantom 530 aims to impress with support for radiators up to 360 mm in size, graphics cards up to 444 mm in length, CPU coolers up to 183 mm in …
Read More »Gigabyte F2A88XM-DS2 Motherboard Review
Today we are going to take a look at the Gigabyte F2A88XM-DS2 motherboard, aimed at those looking to build an AMD APU based system with a limited budget. This particular motherboard is a bit of a departure from the usual high end product we are used to receiving from Gigabyte …
Read More »ASUS Xonar U7 Echelon Edition Review
Last year ASUS enjoyed both public and critical success with their Xonar U7 USB sound card. For the enthusiast user demanding higher grade sound quality, adding an external DAC can be a good investment. Driving an expensive audiophile grade pair of headphones from the basic sound chip on a motherboard …
Read More »Intel postpones completion of leading-edge fab 42
Intel Corp. said it had decided to postpone equipment move-in at its fab 42 cutting-edge semiconductor manufacturing facility. The move, which is aimed to improve utilisation of capital at the world’s largest maker of microprocessors, will leave the company without one fab capable of making next-generation chips using 14nm manufacturing …
Read More »YOYOTech launches range of low-cost Kaveri gaming rigs
With Intel continuing to commit ever larger amounts of die space to graphics, AMD's decision to acquire ATi in 2006 and begin fusing the CPU with the GPU, looks like a smart one. UK specialist system builder, YOYOTech, has wasted no time in getting a full range of Kaveri-powered gaming …
Read More »Exclusive Kaveri interview with Nicolas Thibieroz of AMD
When KitGuru first spoke with AMD's Developer Relations guru Nic Thibieroz, back in May 2011, he had just taken over as point-man for the chip designer's drive into the hearts and minds of the developer community. Things have changed a lot over the past 32 months. We got the chance …
Read More »IBuyPower releases high-end PCs for virtual currency mining
Mining of virtual currencies is getting more and more popular among PC hardware enthusiasts since this is not only fun, but can bring actual income. IBuyPower, a leading PC maker from the U.S., on Tuesday introduced two systems designed specifically for crunching numbers and mining virtual currency. IBuyPower’s Mine series …
Read More »Majority of consumers still prefer Blu-ray/DVD to streaming
Even though video streaming services like Amazon Prime and Netflix are growing rapidly these days, the majority of consumers still prefer movies on good-old optical media, such as Blu-ray disc (BD) and DVD. As a result, sales of Blu-ray movies hit another record last December in the USA. A recent …
Read More »ARM and UMC team up for low-cost chips
Although the press mostly reports about high-end chip solutions designed for leading-edge electronics and made using state-of-the-art process technologies, the market continues to need very low-cost products that are far from being technological breakthroughs. On Tuesday ARM Holdings and United Microelectronics Corp. announced partnership to enable such devices. ARM has …
Read More »AMD begins to sell ‘Kaveri’ accelerated processing units
Advanced Micro Devices on Tuesday officially began sales of its highly-anticipated A-series accelerated processing units (APUs) code-named “Kaveri”. The new chip features a pack of AMD’s latest technologies and are expected to show high performance in applications that can take maximum advantage of its heterogeneous system architecture (HSA). Starting today, …
Read More »MSI Z87-G43 Gaming Motherboard Review
With so much of Haswell’s performance being related to on-chip parameters, many users are quick to question the relevance of a high-end motherboard. Does MSI’s Z87-G43 Gaming act as proof that an entry-level board can compete with the high-end contenders on the Z87 chipset? Featuring support for two-way CrossFire (albeit …
Read More »Plextor M6e PCI Express 512GB SSD Review
Solid State Technology has been dropping in price steadily for the last year and today we look at the latest product from Plextor – the M6e, a PCI express solid state design. This product is designed for the enthusiast audience who demand the fastest speeds possible. The M6E incorporates the …
Read More »Cooler Master CM 690 III Case Review
Today we are taking a look at the CM 690 III. Following in the footsteps of the CM 690 II the latest revision supports up to ten 2.5″ drives, graphics cards up to 423 mm in length and CPU coolers up to 171 mm in height. Retailing around £85, is …
Read More »Intel may shift introduction of Broadwell to Q3
Intel Corp. may speed up introduction of its next-generation microprocessors based on the code-named “Broadwell” micro-architecture, according to sources with knowledge of the chip giant’s plans. Previously it was expected that the “Broadwell” line of chips will be released sometime in Q4 of 2014. It is now planned that some …
Read More »Seagate unveils external hard drive with 220MB/s transfer rate
Seagate Technology this week introduced Backup Plus Fast external storage solution that combines high performance, high capacity, portability and relatively low cost. The new drive is aimed at creative professionals and so-called pro-sumers who require performance and capacity, but do not want to pay for business-class solutions. Seagate Backup Plus …
Read More »Canon IPF6400 wide format printer – first look
Since the birth of desktop computing there have been adoring Apple fans fighting from one corner, with die-hard PC format proponents in the other and Linux users unwilling to join the fray as they own and operate the “superior” OS. In the contest that engenders this variety of choice comes much …
Read More »Crucial to offer 3GHz DDR4 memory modules later this year
Sometimes in the third quarter of this year Intel Corp. plans to release its next-generation high-end desktop (HEDT) platform code-named “Lituya Bay” based on the code-named “Haswell-E” central processing units that will rely on DDR4 memory to maximize bandwidth. For those, who will want to get some extra performance out …
Read More »Asus R9 290X Direct CU II OC Review (1600p, Ultra HD 4K)
The first waves of AMD partner 290 cards are being released this month, and today we follow up on our Gigabyte and Sapphire reviews taking a look at the latest card from ASUS, the R9 290X Direct CU II OC. This card ships with a proprietary cooler and the fastest …
Read More »Plextor unveils M6 family of SSDs with PCIe-based drives
Plextor, one of the most respected brand-names in the consumer storage industry, this week unveiled its new M6 lineup of solid-state drives. The new SSDs come in various form-factors that target different types of personal computers and also sport different interfaces, including Serial ATA and PCI Express. The latter brings …
Read More »Origin systems takes case customising to a new level
Think your case is customisable? Think again. The new range of Genesis and Millenium chassis and builds from Origin PC are a whole new ball game. Ever wanted to mount your monitor at 90 degrees from the normal? Flip it round? Rotate it? You can if you give these guys …
Read More »Intel rapidly transitioning desktop chips to Haswell architecture
Intel Corp. is speedily transitioning its lineup of desktop central processing units (CPUs) to the “Haswell” micro-architecture. Broader availability of newer chips across various price segments ultimately makes Intel’s desktop microprocessor family more competitive against its arch-rival AMD. According to sources familiar with Intel’s plans, the share of desktop processors …
Read More »