Intel has officially introduced what should be the brains behind tomorrow’s high-end gaming rigs called the Core i7-980X Extreme Edition: Intels’ first 32nm, six-core processor that can handle 12 computing threads, or basically the fastest desktop processor on the planet—at least until they make a new one.
Archive for the ‘Desktops’ Category
Intel intros 6-cored i7-980X Extreme Edition desktop processor
Thursday, March 11th, 2010Rumor: Intel prepping dual core Atom for netbooks?
Tuesday, March 9th, 2010
There’s a rumor going around that Intel might be releasing a new dual core Atom for netbooks soon. Now, a dual core Atom isn’t exactly new since the Pine Trail Atom platform did come with the dual core N510 for low-power desktops, but this would be the first dual core Pine Trail Atom for netbooks if the rumors prove to be true. It’ll reportedly be called the N500, which is a logical step down from the N510 desktop Atom chip, but should still result in a low-power, low-heat chip that offers relatively long battery runtimes. (more…)
Intel upgrades the Atom, intros 1.86GHz N470 chip
Monday, March 1st, 2010An Intel blog post just announced that the company will be expanding their Atom line of processors, with the introduction of the N470. It’s still the same Pine Trail chip aimed at netbooks, although the new processor number comes with a faster 1.83GHz clock—a step up compared to the existing 1.66GHz N450. Aside from the faster core clock, everything is still pretty much the same, with a 512k L2 cache size, DDR2-667 support, and, more importantly, the same 5.5W TDP that promises extended battery runtimes. We should see new netbooks running the faster 1.86GHz chip within the next few months.
Shuttle outs 3.3cm-thin mini-multimedia PC: the XS35
Sunday, February 28th, 2010
That’s not an external optical drive you’re looking at. It’s actually Shuttle’s upcoming Windows-based nettop that runs on Intel’s Atom D510 dual core processor. The fact that it measures only 3.3cm? That’s not what makes it awesome (although the size does add to its overall awesome-factor)—it’s that this small desktop kit comes with Nvidia’s ION2 graphics, making for a really compact desktop kit that can handle HD videos and streaming 3D.
Microsoft launches affordable BlueTrack mice
Wednesday, February 24th, 2010
At last, new technology updates for an old product that everybody can use. Better yet, it’s a tech update that’s affordable. Microsoft has just rolled out three new sub-$30 mice based on BlueTrack technology—basically a new tracking technology that replaces conventional laser and optical trackers (as well as the fizzy rubberized balls, if you’re still clinging to what has got to be a really old mouse) that allows you to work on a wider range of surfaces. Pretty handy if you need to pull out a laptop and work from, well, anywhere from granite kitchen counters to your living room carpet.
Microsoft unveils SideWinder X4 gaming keyboard with advanced anti-ghosting
Monday, February 1st, 2010
From the title, you already know that the SideWinder X4 is a gaming keyboard, so let’s start with the most obvious question: what’s anti-ghosting? “Ghosting” is the term used for the times when your regular (lame) keyboard spazzes out when you try pressing a complex key combo within a game. For example, holding the W and A keys, while regularly tapping on the spacebar, moving through the arrow keys, and holding down the Ctrl and TAB keys at once (yeah, it sounds improbable, but have you tried playing 2K Sports’ NBA 2K10 on a keyboard?) This keyboard’s anti-ghosting tech aims to eliminate the “spazzing-out” part by allowing you to press up to 26 keys at once—which might mean that you’re the one spazzing out. Yeah, you should get that checked out, man.
AMD starts shipping new Phenom IIs, outs “fastest dual-core chip”
Monday, January 25th, 2010
AMD has just released five new processors along their Phenom II and Athlon II lines, with a (pleasant) focus on more budget-friendly chips, highlighted by the Phenom II X2 555 Black Edition, touted as the fastest (or at least AMD’s fastest) dual-core processor with a 3.2GHz core frequency and a TDP (thermal design power) of only 80W—awesome on its own right, but the best part is it’s price: it’s listed to sell for only $99.
MSI to unveil new Wind PCs at CES
Monday, December 28th, 2009
MSI has announced that they will be showing off several new desktops on the CES showroom floor in January. Three models have been announced: the Wind Top AP1920, an All-in-one PC built around an 18.5-inch touchscreen display, and two Wind Box Mini PCs, the DE220 and DC500.
Lenovo outs multimedia remote
Monday, December 28th, 2009
Lenovo has launched a wireless remote designed to control media center PCs from the couch (or any plush, comfortable office chair, for that matter). Simply called the Multimedia Remote, the device is built for full wireless control from up to 33 feet away with a full QWERTY keyboard and trackball (with two mouse buttons). The remote works with Windows XP, Vista and 7, and is available now for $60.
Intel announces next-gen Atom platform
Monday, December 21st, 2009
Intel has just officially announced new Atom processors that should be seen running next year’s batch of netbooks. Codenamed “Pine Trail”, the new processors are based on a 45nm process that’s listed to offer 20% less power consumption than the previous generation of Atom CPUs, which translates to less heat (and a reduced need for cooling) in a smaller package.
