Microsoft announces HD Photo

Microsoft has formally announced HD Photo, a new file format for end-to-end digital photography that offers higher image quality, greater preservation of data, and advanced features for today’s digital-imaging applications. HD Photo offers compression with up to twice the efficiency of JPEG, with fewer damaging artifacts, resulting in higher-quality images that are one-half the file size.

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Source: Microsoft PressPass

ABIT extends Fatal1ty range

Universal ABIT has strengthened an already impressive Intel range with the addition of two new Fatal1ty motherboards. The FP-IN9 SLI (NVIDIA 650i SLI) is aimed at Pro gamers, while the F-I90HD (ATI Radeon Xpress 1250) is intended for users who want to enjoy the benefits of a Media Centre PC without holding back on performance.

FP-IN9 SLI / F-I90HD specs

Source: Universal ABIT

GeForce 8800 GTS 320MB released

NVIDIA has added a second GeForce 8800 GTS graphics card to its lineup. Just like the original version launched last November, the new model has 96 stream processors running at 1.2GHz, a 500MHz core, GDDR3 memory clocked at 1.6GHz, and a 320-bit memory bus. The difference, the memory capacity has been halved to 320MB and the RSP starts at $299, over $100's lower than the 640MB model.

Source: The Tech Report

NVIDIA MCP72 (AM2+) chipset details

Due out later this year, the single-processor MCP72 will be the first NVIDIA chipset to support AMD’s HyperTransport 3.0 (HT3) enabled AM2+ platform. Socket AM2+ will support AMD’s current AM2 processors as well as the next-generation (Stars) single and multi-core parts. The MCP72 will also be NVIDIA’s first PCIe 2.0 equipped chipset, making it ideal for next-generation PCIe peripherals and graphics cards. Other notable features include support for six SATA 3.0Gbps and dual Gigabit Ethernet ports.

Source: DailyTech

The "WOW" starts now

Microsoft, the world's largest software maker has debuted Windows Vista, its first major computer operating system upgrade since releasing Windows XP in October 2001. The company has invested $6 billion and written over 50 million lines of code for Vista, which Microsoft calls its most significant release since Windows 95 more than 11 years ago. More information can be found at the firm's official Windows Vista website.

Source: Reuters

ATI R600 latest

More rumours on ATI's next-generation R600 (Rev A12) graphics cards. The flagship Radeon X2900 XTX will feature a 750MHz core and 2.2GHz of GDDR4 memory, there will be 512MB and 1GB versions. The X2900 XT will have a 600MHz core and 1.8GHz of GDDR3 memory, all three versions employ a 512-bit memory interface. Reportedly the company has successfully taped out A15 silicon which runs at 1GHz, this is expected to show up as the R680 later this year.

Source: VR Zone

CES 2007 - ABIT

Universal ABIT was another firm to use a hotel suite to display its latest hardware, which included an engineering sample of the upcoming Fatal1ty IN9 SLI motherboard. Designed around NVIDIA's nForce 650 SLI platform, the Intel socket LGA775 board has a Silent OTES cooling system, solid Japanese-made caps, and a pair of x16 PCIe slots that run at x8 when in SLI mode. Other features include power/reset buttons on the PCB, support for single GbE, High-Definition audio, 4 SATA2 and 8 USB2.0 ports. With these specifications, and its lower price point, the Fatal1ty IN9 SLI should be a winner when it launches in February.

Source: Hexus

CES 2007 - Antec

Once again Antec has picked a hotel in Las Vegas to introduce its new year product line-up. First up there are three new tower cases, the Sonata III, the P182 which will replace the current P180 model, and finally the P190. Essentially a larger version of the P182 fitted with dual-power supplies and improved cooling. There's also an engineering sample of the P182 featuring a black interior and polished (stainless steel) external panels, no word if this will ever enter production. Other new products include the MX-1 hard drive enclosure and a couple of power supplies rated at 850W and 1000W with a custom paint job that remains under wraps for now.

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Source: Legit Reviews

DFI unveils RD600 motherboard

The recent AMD/ATI merger left the RD600 chipset in a seemingly impossible position, namely an AMD chipset supporting an Intel microprocessor. While most motherboard manufacturers shelved plans to support the RD600 platform, fortunately one did not. This week DFI announced the LANParty UT ICFX3200-T2R/G, widely tipped to become the best and most versatile Intel Core 2 Duo + ATI CrossFire compatible motherboard of them all.

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Source: DFI Press release

ABIT launches IN9 32X-MAX

Universal ABIT has announced the latest addition to its MAX edition motherboard range. The IN9 32X-MAX is based on the NVIDIA 680i SLI/SPP190 platform and supports Intel's Core 2 Duo and Quad Core LGA775 processors up to 1333MHz FSB. There are two PCIe x16 slots for users who want to configure a NVIDIA SLI graphics system. Other features include a 5-Phase Digital PWM, six SATA 3G ports, two Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports, two 1394 IEEEa ports, Dolby 7.1 Ch HD audio and Silent OTES cooling technology. The board will be available at the beginning of January 2007.

IN9 32X-MAX specs

Source: Universal ABIT

Quad-core is here!

Today Intel extended its lead over rival AMD by officially announcing the Core 2 Extreme QX6700 CPU, the world's first quad-core desktop processor. The QX6700 (Kentsfield) is essentially two Core 2 Duo micro-processors fitted into a single package (Microsoft counts sockets, not the number of cores, in Windows licensing). The chip operates at 2.66GHz (1.34 volts), features dual 4MB L2 cache, a 1066MHz FSB and a thermal output of 130 watts.

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Source: ExtremeTech

Vista licencing clarified

Microsoft has cleared the confusion surrounding its Windows Vista licencing terms. Although the operating system may only be transferred to another machine once, enthusiasts who upgrade their hardware regularly will only be required to re-activate their copy of Vista when the main hard drive and one other component of the PC is changed. Furthermore, users who go through such upgrades will be allowed to re-active their copy of Vista up to a minimum of 10 times. Smaller upgrades like graphics cards, processors and memory won't require re-activation at all.

Source: The Tech Report and Bit Tech

AMD completes ATI acquisition

This morning AMD announced the completion of its (approximately) $5.4 billion acquisition of ATI Technologies Inc. Combining the complementary strengths of the two technology leaders, the New AMD opens for business as a processing powerhouse committed to driving innovation, choice and growth in the technology industry. With approximately 15,000 employees, the company merges AMD's technology leadership in microprocessors together with ATI's leadership in graphics, chipsets and consumer electronics.

Source: HardOCP

NVIDIA G80 uncovered

A (Chinese) message board user has posted several pictures of what is claimed to be NVIDIA's next-generation G80 (DX10 compatible) graphics card. Latest reports suggest there will be two models, the GeForce 8800 GTX ($649 USD) and the GeForce 8800 GT ($449-499 USD). The GTX version (higher-end) will feature a 384-bit memory interface, a hybrid water and air cooler and 7 TCPs, while the GT will have a 320-bit memory interface, a standard air cooler, and 6 TCPs.

Source: The Tech Report and VR-Zone

Kentsfield quad-core performance preview

This week Intel allowed selected members of the press the opportunity to benchmark its next-generation Kentsfield quad-core (Extreme Series) processor. Due out in November, the Intel Core 2 Quadro Extreme QX6700 (2.66GHz) processor provides some serious computing power even on pre-production hardware.

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Source: Warp2Search