Hardware Post: 02/28/11

Monday, February 28, 2011

Intel SSDs hide a 510 controller Marvell

Surprise! The new generation of Intel SSD that the world was waiting to give a headache to productions SandForce controller actually use a brain Marvell. For better or for worse? There is still a bit early to say, the launch of Intel SSD 510 Series is a bit rushed: the products were sent Friday and we have not received any copy of the test.

Our colleagues Hardware. com and PcInpact were lucky that allowed them to make this discovery: the controller 510 is not manufactured by Intel. This is a Marvell chip-88SS9174 BKK2, an evolution of the Comptroller of Crucial SSD C300. According to preliminary quick tests of our brothers, the 510 show a performance profile similar to C300: excellent in sequential transfers (where the 250 GB model by Intel reaches 500 MB / s read and 315 MB / s write), the trolling random access (where they are overtaken by Intel's X25-M).

What Can Apple iPad A5?

We talked a lot about ARM processors recently and showed that if Apple sells the A4 as "his" processor, we note that the chip is very similar to Samsung's Hummingbird - a few details - and that Korean society is in part the origin of the A4. And that's after it gets interesting ... Indeed, there are interesting things to analyze on the GPU.

On the CPU, it's pretty clear Apple will use an a priori Cortex A9 with two cores. The company has a priori not yet had the time nor the means to design an ARM core "house" and the Cortex A9 is the only logical solution, such as NVIDIA, and Texas Instruments ... Samsung. For the GPU, it is interesting to note that the beta versions of IOS indicate that Apple could use a GPU type PowerVR SGX543 MPx.

CeBIT 2011: Asus launches four new Tablet PCs

The "Eee Pad Slider" has a 10.1 inch touch screen. The dual-core processor "Tegra 2" from Nvidia is driving him. From the same manufacturer is the graphics chip. The Tablet PC has a digital camera with five megapixel resolution and is a second cam, the 1.2 megapixel resolution. Special feature: By pushing the display is a full keyboard to light that makes the tablet a mini-notebook.

Operating system: the optimized for large displays "Android 3.0." The sliders are available with and without a UMTS module. Also, the Tablet PC "Eee Pad Transformer comes with 10.1-inch touch screen and two Tegra processor. On board are Android 3.0, the aforementioned cameras and an HDMI interface.

Strategy game for PC: Shogun 2: Total War - Pictures from the feudal Japan

In 2000, the development studio Creative Assembly invited with "Shogun - Total War, the conquest of feudal Japan. In the period of Warring States (15th-16th centuries) it was your mission to wipe out as the leader of one of the feuding clans, the opposing leaders. Successful strategists prevailed at the end as Shogun over a united country.

Now publisher Sega has announced the return of the "Total War" series to its historical roots. With "Shogun 2 - Total War" live through a second time the rise of clan leaders from the simple to the ruler of Japan. Thus almost the similarities end with the first part. For the second trip to feudal Japan Creative Assembly promises several new features.

From X58 to overclock Gigabyte

The manufacturer Gigabyte is currently putting the finishing touches on its motherboard X58A-OC, a model for processors on socket LGA 1366 and designed for overclocking enthusiasts. The X58A-OC has six DDR3 slots, four PCI-Express x16, one PCI slot, audio controllers 5.1 (Dolby Home Theater) and Gigabit Ethernet and two USB 3.0 ports.

Six SATA 3 Gbps connectors are also present, along with two SATA 6 Gbps. In short, so far, nothing extraordinary. It is indeed on the side of features for overclocking this motherboard is interesting. Thus, even if it has a completely passive design, this motherboard can support up to seven fans.

TRIM, GC and DSS point

Preamble: 18 months ago, when the introduction of the TRIM command, we wrote about the value of technology and how it works right. It seemed interesting, when the majority of SSD support this command to return to this technology. Remember that Windows 7, during its "server" and Linux support the TRIM command.

For Mac OS X, it will be Mac OS X 10.7, Lion. Before seeing how to fix it, see where it came from. Typically, SSDs are working with an allocation table that is not synchronized with the file system: write a file at the beginning of the file system does not necessarily write the file here on the SSD (there not even, strictly speaking, the beginning and end).

Sales of servers: IBM and HP dominate

According to figures just released by the institute Gartner, the server market would have risen 16.4% between the fourth quarter 2009 and fourth quarter 2010, reaching 14.68 billion dollars. IBM consolidates its leading position with 35.5% market share, while HP is still second with 30.4%. After Dell (13.1%), Oracle (5.5% market share, down 16.2%) and Fujitsu (3.8%).

In terms of volume, it is HP remains the leader with more than 767,000 units sold during the fourth quarter (+6.9%) against 515,274 units for Dell and "only" 332,254 servers for IBM. We note in passing that Oracle saw its shipments of servers to contract by 40.8%, with only 36,614 servers sold.

Survivor BitFenix Core, comprehensive analysis

Today we present the analysis of this case that combines great looks strong and compact with good cooling, quiet, and spacious interior. As always, we hope you enjoy it. Survivor BitFenix Core Analysis

Atom N570: two cores, 1.66 GHz

Asus will launch a new version of the Eee PC 1015PN this year and presentation to a processor at CeBIT announcement yet unknown. Although Asus hides the name of the processor on these cards have, it's pretty easy to discover his name: Atom N570. The machine therefore offers a dual core processor at 1.66 GHz, 1.5 GHz cons on the now classic N550, and a NVIDIA video chip, a Next Gen ION.

The processor is not really new, Intel dual-core models at 1.66 and 1.8 GHz in its range, but only for platforms "fixed". In the range 'laptop, the N550 is limited to 1.5 GHz and only models with a single core above this frequency. But segmentation Intel does not interfere with netbook manufacturers and models with an Atom N330 or D525 are ...

Hertz (wikipedia)

Predator V3 SSD SATA 6 Gbps at AMP

The manufacturer Active Media Products - AMP for short - has just announced the launch of a new model of SSD, the Predator V3. With 6 Gbps SATA interface, this SSD 2.5-inch format uses a Marvell controller Van Gogh (88SS9174) and MLC NAND flash memory, 128 MB and loads of DDR3 memory for buffer. Supporting course the TRIM command, the Predator V3 is available in 64 GB and 128 GB 64 GB model can reach speeds of around 360 MB / s sequential read and 100 MB / s write while that the model rises to 128 GB 410 MB / s sequential read and 200MB / s write.

Western Digital hard drives still believes in the

While a number of manufacturers historical disks have taken the train of SSD running in recent months, it is clear that this is not really the case of Western Digital, at least in regard to the mass market . The manufacturer continues to claim to believe in hard drives, and has even announced it would invest over five years some 500 million Singapore dollars, equivalent to 285 million euros to develop new technology dedicated to this type of product.

Flash Player 11 will move to 3D

Flash Player 11 to watch. The next version of Adobe Reader will pass to 3D with a new API called Molehill. Requires 3D acceleration, Flash Player 11 will require a suitable hardware configuration: a Windows PC with a DirectX 9 graphics card, a Mac running Mac OS X 10.6 or Linux machine with a graphics card that supports OpenGL.

Indeed, Molehill is able to work with either OpenGL or DirectX 9. Molehill is an API that is intended to manage the 3D in Flash, using the GPU of course. Currently, since Flash 10.1, Adobe enables 3D effects on 2D, what the company calls the 2.5D, and the effects are rendered on the CPU, which limits performance.

Movement control: Asus Wavi Xtion: Kinect clone for PC

Sales of Kinect went Christmas shopping in 2010 by. The 3D camera for the Xbox 360 console sales boosted by a whopping 70 percent compared to the same period. A success that even Microsoft had not. Apparently spurred this success in the competition - albeit in a different market segment. By Wavi Xtion Asus wants to make the PC wohnzimmerfit.

The device is to identify how the technology Kinect share movements in three dimensional space. After the presentation of the user navigates by Asus gesture control through its music and movie collection, or surf the web. With the appropriate development tools to quickly follow applications for the new hardware.

TDJ: Lepa G700-MA, CM Storm SPAWN

Our fellow Cowcotland recently posted a review of Spawn, a mouse sold by the manufacturer CM Storm (NLA gamers from Cooler Master). Equipped with a sensor displaying a maximum resolution of 3500 DPI, the Spawn is relatively compact with dimensions of 75.5 x 110 x 35 mm. It also embeds an internal memory of 32 KB to save the settings.

Verdict? For his part, Brother 59 Hardware has just launched an online test Lepa G700-MA, a modular power supply providing a power of 700 watts and 80Plus certified Gold. Showing the dimensions of 150 x 86 x 160 mm, the G700 Lepa-MA has an active PFC. It has a 140 mm fan and three +12 V rails Verdict?

Gigabyte GTX 560 Ti slows its SOC to 950 MHz

A few weeks after launching a first GeForce GTX 560 Ti SOC (Super OverClocked) on the market, the manufacturer Gigabyte has unveiled a new model, the GV-N560SO-1GI-950. Featuring a dual-slot cooling Windforce 2X, this GeForce GTX 560 Ti features a GPU clocked at "only" 950 MHz, 1000 MHz for the cons of the first model, but 900 MHz for GeForce GTX 560 Ti classics.

The 384 CUDA cores running at 1900 MHz while the GB of GDDR5 memory running at 1145 MHz on a 256-bit bus. Compatible with 2-way SLI, the GTX 560 Ti SOC finally has two DVI outs and a mini HDMI. Gigabyte has not yet indicated on price or availability date for this graphics card. However, it is expected to face appeared on the shelves within the next fortnight.

Hertz (wikipedia)

MSI unveils R6950 Twin Frozr III PE

Micro Star International has introduced a new customized version of the Radeon HD 6950 2GB. The card is called R6950 Twin Frozr III Power Edition and as the name suggests using third-generation owner of the cooling system MSI: Twin Frozr III. This system consists of an aluminum radiator connected to the base with 5 copper heatpipes and topped with two 80mm fans that use the technology MSI Propeller Blade (according to the Taiwanese technology that provides an airflow of 20% higher than a traditional fan).

New fans from Scythe Gentle Typhoon

The Japanese company has expanded its family of Scythe Gentle Typhoon fans with three new models from 120mm diameter dedicated to fans of air-cooligg without compromise. The three fans have a fixed speed of 3000, respectively 4250 and 5400RPM and offer an amazing airflow of 83, 116.5 and 150.1 CFM. Of course the downside of such power is the noise that came in at 36.5, 44 and 50.5 dB, although Scythe stresses that these are the same performance the fans "quieter" category.

Gmail: deleted mailboxes. 150,000 users affected

Fatal error free e-mail service "Gmail". In recent days, disappeared the mailboxes of more than 150,000 users from the Internet. The seller is working on a solution. As the company reports, the damaged mailboxes will be up again in the coming hours. What led to the failure is unknown. For affected Gmail users, access is denied to account during the repair work.

Gmail (homepage) Gmail (twitter) Gmail (wikipedia)

Denon: A software update for AVC-and AVP-A1HDA A1HDA

Denon has announced that the amplifier integrated audio / video AVC-A1HDA processor and audio / video AVP-A1HDA will soon have an upgrade hardware and software. The update will allow two devices to fully support the 3D video streams and provide support for new technologies XT32 Audyssey MultEQ, Audyssey DSX and Dolby Prologic IIz.

Thanks to Dolby Prologic IIz, providing additional upper front speakers are offered a greater depth to the soundstage. Audyssey DSX technology allows you to calibrate all the speakers in accordance with the procedure chosen by the user while the system Audyssey MultEQ XT32 provides a precision 32 times higher than the MultEQ XT is currently available in the two devices.

HD6990 over to reviewers, expected to debut on March 8?

AMD has started to send the first Radeon HD 6990 reference board of the reviewers. The site HardOCP has published at this address, a sneak preview of this new top of the range graphics card that combines two HD 6000 Series GPUs on one PCB. According to the information 3DCenter the debut of the Radeon HD 6990 has been set for March 8, shortly after the end of CeBIT in Hannover.

Detailed images of a sample of VGA "Antilles" was the codename used by AMD to identify the Radeon HD 6990, are available in our previous news. The official price and complete technical specifications have not yet been revealed.

2.3.3 Android: it changes colors

Last week, Android 2.3.3 was offered to users of S & Nexus Nexus One.

Hard Drives USB 3.0 A-Data

Manufacturer A-Data has recently launched a new line of external hard drives equipped with USB 3.0: Classic CH11. Available in capacities of 500 GB, 750 GB and 1 TB, external hard drives in these 2.5-inch are available in several colors (black, white or pink). As for performance, A-Data announces speeds up to 90 MB / s.

Already sold on the European market, CH11 are available at rates 52.73 euros for the 500GB model, to 70.22 euros the 750 GB and 84.72 euros for the 1 TB version

Universal Serial Bus (wikipedia) ADATA (homepage) ADATA (wikipedia)

Cooler Master introduces a new model series 450W Xtreme Gamer

Cooler Master is proud to present the new model series 450W Xtreme Gamer, which has certified 80 Plus "and shows therefore able to ensure low fuel consumption in any load condition. One of the main features of the GX series is represented by the line of 12V, which allows for greater stability and support of optimal high-performance systems.

Designed to specifications ATX 12V V 2.31, the last in chronological order with respect to food Desktop, 450W GX EMI filter has a double layer that reduces electromagnetic interference, a fan "smart" and a 120 mm combined control Active PFC / PWM increases efficiency. Thanks to the efficiency reaches 85%, the GX Series is certified 80 Plus: greater efficiency, lower the amount of energy dispersed during operation of the feeder, all this translates into lower power consumption and therefore in a higher electric bill savings.

The Radeon HD 6990 is a picture

Press photos of the Radeon HD 6990 recently made their appearance on the Web, even before the card is formalized by AMDLa first card dual GPU (both 6970) Radeon HD 6000, known under the codename Antilles is expected to March. It will most likely be announced for CeBIT. Meanwhile, AMD has decided to give official photos.

You can see a single fan supposed to cool both GPU and 4 GB of GDDR5 using a bus of 2 x 256 bits. The card has a DVI port and four ports Mini DisplayPort for management Eyefinity.

Radeon (wikipedia)

Intel does SSD as cache

Intel has started production of its chipsets Z68, H61 and Q65 and integrated functionality enabling the use of SSD as a giant buffer, which is commonly called SSD caching. This technology would be reserved for Z68 are intended for enthusiasts. They are, in fact, consumers who are most inclined to invest in this kind of support.

Specifically, the controller uses the SSD as a buffer to the hard drive, storing only the data used most often. This allows in principle to improve performance that are close to those of DSS, without having to make a cross on capacity. Of course, everything depends on the controller that has a fundamental role and that he will manage all operations.

Nintendo 3DS output already Cracked

According to the Nikkei, Nintendo had sold more than 400,000 units since the launch of the console and would experience shortages. Nintendo would plan to sell 1.5 million 3DS by 31 March. It has already reached its third goal. The launch seems to be successful. The stores continue to receive pre-orders and first consumers seem satisfied.

A sign of its success is probably the fact that he has been Cracked to run games from an R4 card programs or homemade, as shown in the video below. We would obviously expect to whether the Japanese will come to take market share from its competitors, but one indicator to watch is the stated goal of selling 4 million Nintendo 3DS in the world by the end of its fiscal year, the last day of March.

Battlefield3, already disclosed the contents of the first DLC!

With the release of the extended version of the teaser trailer for Battlefiel 3, which we represent to view news, DICE has confirmed that the Limited Edition version of the game's first DLC will supplement entitled "Back to Karkand". This is an add-on package that includes four maps of the previous chapters updated with the new Frostbite game engine 2.0, along with weapons and vehicles in Battlefield 2.

What processor affordable for games?

Many of you ask the question of the processor at a reasonable price the more interesting in real games. What difference between the dual-core and quad-core Intel tri, quad and hexa-core AMD? How important current cache and frequency on the number of cores and architecture? Can play in full HD with a processor less than 100 €?

Mr. Walkman dies at the age of 84 years

Nobutoshi Kihara died Feb. 13 at the age of 84. Sony has just made public a new internal memo from his PD G Howard Stringer. He is considered by many as the father of Sony technology. Author of more than 700 patents, he is the father of the Walkman and the Betamax of an early transistor radios. He is largely responsible for the rise of the firm internationally.

He joined Sony at the time was called Tokyo Telecommunications Engineering Company, just after graduating from Waseda University in Tokyo. From a family of engineers, he paid his tuition by repairing radios. He quickly distinguished himself by creating the first magnetic tape recorder on.