AOpen NV45 Card Pic

AMD refreshes Notebook Llano A-Series range

The first refresh, A4-3305M, is the only one which does not follow the general pattern. It features the same clock speed as the A4-3300M, but with only 1MB L2 cache. While branded HD 6480G, the GPU is different from that in other A4 APUs. Instead of 240 SP @ 444 MHz, A4-3305M features 160 SP @ 593 MHz. This suggests that unlike other A4 APUs, which are quad-cores with 2 cores disabled, A4-3305M is based on the native dual-core Llano die, which features only 160 SP.

The remaining new models follow a similar pattern - one model for 35W and 45W APUs each, for A4, A6 and A8 series, each advancing clock speed by 100 MHz over exisiting Llano APUs. The top 35W APU will be A8-3520M, with the 45W flagship being A8-3550MX - finally breaking the 2 GHz barrier. The only existing APU to not receive a direct refresh is the A8-3510MX clocked at 1.8/2.5 GHz, which presumably will continue to fill in the void left between A8-3520M @ 1.6/2.5 GHZ and A8-3550MX @ 2/2.7 GHz.

A similar refresh is expected for A-series Desktop APUs in early Q1 2012. Following these, the next stop for AMDs A-Series will be Trinity, releasing in first half 2012.

Source: CPU-World

ASUS Outs First Windows 8-Ready Sockets AM3+, FM1 Motherboards

Often, Windows [insert new version] certification labels dont mean squat to PC enthusiasts. With Windows Vista labels, it meant that the integrated graphics could handle DirectX 9-accelerated Aero UI; Windows 7, not so much over that. Windows 8 readiness adds quite a few little hardware requirements, to support new OS features such as Fast Boot (start PC in under 2 seconds, different from S3 resume). While a few motherboard vendors announced Windows 8 readiness for their motherboards, ASUS claims to be the first with motherboards in the AMD platform that will feature the Windows 8 readiness logo. Hardware redesigns meant that ASUS launches revisions of existing products. These revisions are designated by "R 2.0" suffixed to the model names.

ASUS released revisions of most of its M5A99 (AMD 990FX, 990X), M5A97 (AMD 970), F1A75/A55 (AMD A75, A55) series motherboards, TUF Sabertooth 990FX, and its flagship AMD platform motherboard, the ROG Crosshair V Formula. The revision of the latter is named Crosshair V Formula-Z.Features common to all these revisions include support for Fast Boot, ASUS Boot Settings, which lets you fine-tune system startup processes, and DirectKey, a button that loads up the BIOS setup program, similar to the Back2BIOS button found on Intel Desktop Boards Extreme series.

Apart from Windows 8-specific feature updates, ASUS took the opportunity to update the feature sets of several of its motherboards in the above mentioned revisions. Features such as Smart Digi+ Key, which are found on P8Z77-V series, are ported over. The ASUS-exclusive feature-set also includes 802.11 b/g/n netowork interfaces with Remote Wi-Fi Go!, a feature based on Wi-Fi Go!, that provides media streaming and remote desktop capabilities to smartphones and tablets.

ASUS ROG Crosshair V Formula-Z gets all the new features of its R 2.0 mates, plusExtreme Engine Digi+ II (a VRM design found on Maximus V series). The audio is also updated, SupremeFX III audio with "Red Line shielding." The portion of the motherboard that holds the HD audio CODEC and its anciliary AMP components is isolated from the ground-layer of the rest of the motherboard, minimizing EMI from other power-hungry components, which typically produce a faint buzzing noise in the output channels of onboard audio. Apart from ground-layer isolation, a bulk of the audio portion, including the CODEC, is covered by a metallic EMI shield. The Crosshair V Formula-Z also features GameFirst II, a network prioritization tool with an intuitive new user interface (EZ Mode).

Lastly, theres the F1A75/A55 R 2.0 series motherboards for first-generation A-series "Llano" APUs. The revised motherboards feature LucidLogix Virtu MVP (load-balancing GPU virtualization between onboard and discrete graphics adapters), DIP 2 with Digi+ VRM, Network iControl (prioritization, diagnostics), and AI Suite II.

Apart from the features mentioned above, the models are largely similar to the motherboards they are revisions of.

An Ubuntu tablet set to launch early next year

According to GizChina, an Ubuntu-powered tablet is scheduled to launch early next year. In an exclusive interview with the unnamed manufacturer, it looks like the hardware and product units have been sorted and the company is ironing out the software issues - improving on the touch interface and onscreen keyboard.

In terms of hardware, the Ubuntu tablet is powered by 1.66GHz Intel Atom processor, 2GB memory and 32GB SSD drive. The tablet will feature a 10.1-inch capacitive touchscreen, built-in webcam and also a 3G module. Other connectivity options include two USB, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, HDMI output and microSD card reader.

While the specifications look good, it may lose to Android or Apple in terms of apps offerings. We can only wait till more details are revealed about this Ubuntu tablet.

Source: Gizchina.com

ATi MOBILITY RADEON X700 For Thin-Performance Notebooks

ATI today announced a powerful new PCI Express-based graphics processor fornotebook PCs – the MOBILITY™ RADEON® X700. Driving high definition DirectX® 9performance into new territory, MOBILITY RADEON X700 delivers eye-poppingvisuals and longer battery life for the rapidly growing thin-and-light andperformance-thin notebook segments. With eight pixel pipelines, six vertexengines and high speed GDDR3 memory support, MOBILITY RADEON X700 provides thehorsepower to easily handle today’s most visually intensive games, highdefinition content and workstation applications. With the introduction ofMOBILITY RADEON X700, ATI now offers a top-to-bottom line of native PCI Expressmobile graphics processors.

MOBILITY RADEON X700 technology will be adopted by many of the industry’s topOEM and ODM designers including Acer, Arima, Asus, Alienware, BenQ, Clevo,Compal, ECS, Eurocom, Fujitsu, Fujitsu-Siemens, Gateway Inc, Inventec, Lenovo,LG, Medion, MSI, Samsung, Sony, Targa, Toshiba and Uniwill .

“Users want next generation graphics performance without sacrificing theconvenience of their thin-and-light notebooks,” said Phil Eisler, Senior VicePresident and General Manager, Mobile Business Unit, ATI technologies. “With theintroduction of MOBILITY RADEON X700, they don’t have to. It has theversatility, performance and power efficiency to address a wide range ofnotebooks from thin-and-light to mobile workstations.”

Desiged for performance thin and thin-and-light users, MOBILITY RADEON X700offers a wide range of features and benefits including:

Eight parallel pixel pipelines and six programmable vertex pipelines forlightning fast graphics performance
POWERPLAY™ 5.0 with new PCI Express based power management capabilities forlonger battery life
LRTC™ and LCD-EE™ for high-quality, crisp video playback on notebook panels
Automatic Display Configuration technology for simplified setup of externaldisplays
High performance GDDR3 memory support
A range of integrated memory options optimized for space and power efficiency

ASUS P5B-E Plus w Solid State Capacitors

Asus Technology Pte Ltd. (ASUS), the worldwide leader ofmotherboards is proud to introduce the P5B-E Plus motherboard, which uses allhigh-quality conductive polymer capacitors onboard for durability, improvedlifespan, and enhanced thermal capacity.

AI Lifestyle features

Fan-less Designs – Stack Cool 2

Asus unique technology - Stack Cool 2 effectively transfers heat generated bythe critical components to the other side of the specially designed PCB (printedcircuit board) for fast heat dissipation and quiet operation.

Performance and Silent Computing

With AI Nap, users can instantly “relax” their PCs without terminating currenttasks. System will continue to operate at minimum power and noise when users aretemporarily away. It downloads files and run applications at the quietest statewhile users are asleep. Simply click on the mouse to wake up the system inseconds. To balance system performance and silent computing, AI Gear enablesusers to choose from profiles to adjust CPU frequency and vCore voltage,minimizing system noise and power consumption.

Specification summary

CPULGA775 socket forIntel® Core™2 Extreme / Core™2 Duo / Pentium® Extreme / Pentium® D /Pentium® 4 / Celeron® DChipsetIntel® P965 with IntelFast Memory Access Tech./ ICH8RSystem Bus1066/800/533 MHzMemory4 x DIMM, max. 8GB,Dual channel DDR2 800/667/533 MHz, non-ECC, un-buffered memoryExpansion Slots1 x PCI-Ex16 1 x PCI-E x41 x PCI-E x13 x PCIStorageICH8R:- 6 xInternal SATA 3.0 Gb/s port-Intel Matrix Storage Tech supports RAID 0, 1, 5,10JMicron JMB363:- 1 x UltraDMA133/100/66 for up to 2 PATA devices- 1 x Internal SATA3.0 Gb/s port- 1 x External SATA3.0 Gb/s port (SATA on the Go)- Support SATA RAID0, 1 and JBODAudioADI®8-channel High Definition Audio CODECS/PDIF outinterface at back panelLANMarvell® PCI-E GigabitLAN controller

ATi GPUs Shortage

ATi Future DX10 Mobile GPUs

CJ over at Beyond3D forums gave us anupdate on the future DX10 mobile chips from ATi, in-line of what we have heardfrom our source; 55nm and DX10.1. According to him, M76XT is high-end 65nmCrossFire capable DX10 chip with UVD will be replaced by M88 in the first halfof 2008. M88 is made on the 55nm process, supports DX10.1 and PCIe v2. In themidrange the M76, 65nm CF capable DX10 chip with UVD will be replaced by M86,which is also made on 55nm and supports DX10.1 and PCIe v2. For the low-endpart, we will see M72/M74 chip being replaced by M82 which is also made on 55nmand has Display Port support, DX10.1 support and PCIe v2.

ASUS sneaks in a dual-port Thunderbolt expansion card during Computex

Every year at Computex Taipei, certain vendors have this annoying practice of slipping in new products throughout the 5-day event, unannounced of course, hence the need for us journos to re-visit the show halls to see what weve left out. ASUS previously showed off the ThunderboltEX expansion card for select Z77/H77 motherboards andpotential support on upcoming AMD AM3+ boards, and today they sneaked in a dual Thunderbolt port expansion card featuring the more expansive but full fledged Intel DSL3510 Cactus Ridge 4C host controller.

Like its single port sibling, the ThunderboltEX/Dual plugs into a PCIe x4 slot and has a cable to interface with the TB_HEADER pinout on select ASUS Z77/H77 or upcoming AM3+ motherboards.Two full-sized DisplayPort interconnect cables are provided to encapsulate DP signals from the graphics card output with the Thunderbolt data streams.

In case you missed it earlier, ASUS also teased Thunderbolt support on upcoming revised AMD AM3+ motherboards.

AT amp;T to launch Android-powered Samsung Galaxy Camera on November 16

The camera, although having already been launched in various locales worldwide, is finally coming to the US with a pretty nice price tag. Originally tagged for retail as a $499 purchase, the price seems to have dropped to $399 for US consumers—with a catch, that is. Buyers will be able to purchase the Android-powered Galaxy camera for $399 if they decide to also purchase a Samsung Galaxy Smartphone as well.

True to the Android meme, the Camera will sport a 4.8-inch Super Clear HD LCD screen, a 1.4GHz quad-core CPU, Wi-Fi, 3G and 4G support (varies on model), Wi-Fi Direct, and a microSD. The camera itself boasts a 16MP sensor, 21X zoom, and a wide variety of built-in photo editing software.

Since the camera is capable of 3G and 4G connectivity, you’ll be able to purchase AT&T’s data services. The pricings of the various service includes: Mobile Share which allows you to share between 1GB-20GB for $10, DataConnect 250MB for $15, DataConnect 3GB for $30, and DataConnect 5GB for $50.

Does the Galaxy Camera sound like a worthwhile buy? Or is it just a novelty item that will get phased out sooner or later? Comments below!

ASUS N4L-VM DH Core Duo Motherboard Sneak Preview!

We have just received an ASUS N4L-VM DH Core Duo Mini-ATX Motherboardfor testing. Finally we can start to run our Yonah and see how good performingand efficient this alternative form of set-up can get.

Check out our sneak preview of this board with lots of picturesright here.Full review of it will come in just a short while, so Core Duo fans keep watch!

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Acer sneaks out the Aspire E1-421 with Brazos 2.0 APU

Brazos 2.0 has arrived, well, at least unofficially as Acer has started to sell its Aspire E1-421 in parts of Asia and it sports AMDs yet to be announced E1-1200 APU. The details are fairly slim at the moment, but the Aspire E1-421 is a budget notebook to every extent of the word.

Besides the 1.4GHz E1-1200 APU, Acer has equipped the Aspire E1-421 with a measly 2GB of RAM and a 320GB hard drive. As this is a 14-inch notebook, Acer has also squeezed in a DVD drive for those that still rely on optical discs for their storage needs.

The GPU of the E1-1200 is according to the label on the notebook a Radeon HD 7310 and it shares at least 256MB of system memory which makes the paltry 2GB look even stingier. Other features include 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi and a 6-cell battery. The chipset should support native USB 3.0, but its possible that Acer is using an older chipset that doesnt support USB 3.0, as we wouldve thought the company would high-light this feature, but theres no mention of it.

Lets hope AMD has some more interesting partners lined up for the launch of Brazos 2.0, as the Aspire E1-421 is hardly the kind of product that will draw a lot of attention to AMDs new budget APUs. Its interesting that were looking at a CPU clock of 200-250MHz slower than the current Brazos APUs, but hopefully this is a sign of much improved CPU cores.

Source: TechPowerUp!