W.I.L. Hardware Tech-News Highlights for April 2006

Systems

It’s the software, stupid. There is nothing superior about Apple hardware – link.

ASUS’s V6J Intel dual-core notebook has a combination of restrained, stylish exterior design and wide functionality in a light aluminum-magnesium case, creating a symbol of success and impeccable taste – review.

The 17” iMac has almost everything a silencer could want. It is quiet, efficient, good value (!), and it can even run Windows. More than anything else, it was the ergonomics and design that impressed – review.

CPUs, motherboards, chipsets

Silent PC Review’s desktop CPU power survey indicated that Intel’s Core Duo probably had the highest performance-per-watt ratio of all the processors in its survey – link.

AnandTech’s late March CPU price guide is out – link.

Run your server on a desktop motherboard – link.

– AMD

AMD64 Sempron 2600+ CPU, running at 1.6GHz, manufactured using 90nm process, with Palermo core, 256Kb cache, 1.6Ghz and is manufactured using a 90nm process tested – review.

Asrock’s 939Dual SATA2 gets the most innovative product award. It comes with Realtek’s 8-channel Audio Codec, a 10/100Mbps LAN solution, five SATA/PATA connectors and PCIe/AGP slots, and the Future CPU slot which will allow you to plug in AM2 based CPUs. A superb model indeed – review.

– Intel

Intel’s next-generation microarchitecture – link.

Intel’s Pentium D 805 is a bargain basement, but hot and slow, avenue into the dual core world – link.

A quiet DIY overclocked Pentium D 830 system – Part 1, Part 2.

Asus’s N4L-VM DH mATX is one of the few motherboards that support the new Intel Core Duo processor – review.

Graphics

Forget expensive video cards – link.

Gigabyte’s GV-N66256DP fanless graphics card is a worthwhile investment as a no-noise upgrade to an older AGP-based system. It performed flawlessly even with the most minimal airflow cooling – review.

Asus EAX1600XT Silent/TVD/256M and Aopen Aeolus PCX6600-DV128LP fanless PCIe graphics cards are tested. The failure of the AOpen card does not speak highly of its suitability in a quiet system with slow fans and low airflow, while the Asus card is a good product with a clever, effective cooling system – reviews.

Matrox’s TripleHead2Go triples your viewing pleasure – link.

nVidia’s GeForce 7900 GT $299 graphics solution is a great card … except for the noise – review.

Memory, storage

GEIL’s Ultra-X nForce 4 Edition PC 3200 400MHz CL2 5-2-2 DDR memory modules offers a great price/performance ratio – review.

Imation’s 0.85” USB-2 4GB or 2GB Micro Hard Drive has a funky look and is cheaper than flash-based equivalent-sized storage solutions – review.

Thecus’s YES N2100 Box external storage system is a reliable solution for your home – review.

Cases, power supplies, cooling

Antec’s NSK2400 Media PC (horizontal) case successfully achieves the goal of being a thermally and acoustically advanced case for home theater PC, and at unquestionably great price (includes PSU) – review. Antec’s SU380 PSU that comes with the case is excellent in every respect except noise, and that is mitigated by the fresh air intake setup of the case it is supplied in – review.

Seasonic’s new sleeved version of its S12-330 PSU brings some much requested features to the table, mostly to do with cable selection and management. But none of the improvements really cater to the low-noise crowd – review.

ePower’s Tiger EP-550P5-T1 550W PSU is comparatively quiet at higher loads, but the low noise comes at the cost of good cooling and reliability – review.

Noctua’s NH-U9 and NH-U12 heatpipe coolers boast an impressively high CPU cooling efficiency with little dependence on the fan speed, at a not-bad price – link.

7 high-performance coolers for AMD and Intel CPUs compared – roundup.

Silentmaxx’s fanless 400W MX460-PFL01 PSU shows impressive efficiency. As with all fanless power supplies, the thermals are a bit of questionable. And at $175 it is not cheap – review.

Miscellaneous components and periferals

The OQO model 01+ tablet edition palmtop is a self-contained mobile PC system in a 4.9 x 3.4 x 0.9” metallic case. If you need a fully functional PC at the absolute extreme end of the portability scale, this is the machine for you – link.

Mega Sky 580 USB TV Tuner is a nifty little gadget, but has some limitations – review.

Today’s digital cameras are so good it is hard to find a brand-name model that will not deliver excellent snapshots – link.

Ricoh’s GR Digital 8.1Mp camera is not without flaws despite its £400 price tag, but it is also a very accomplished compact camera – review.