W.I.L. Hardware Tech-News Highlights for 2008, Part 4

Systems

Asus’s Eee Box B202 mini-PC is based on an Intel Atom 1.6GHz CPU (no optical drive). It is a perfectly capable PC for most users, although it does not quite live up to the billing of home entertainment hub. Very low power draw (< 20W for most tasks) and it can be hidden behind an LCD monitor - review.

CPUs, motherboards, chipsets

Asus’s M3A78-T AM2/AM2+ motherboard features the best integrated graphics processor around, with performance more or less matching low-end discrete cards. The board offers a lot more functionality than your typical budget board, and comes at a price - review.

For silent computing enthusiasts, Intel’s new Core i7 CPU is not really a step forward, what with the promise of higher performance at the price of higher thermals, which may cost a decibel or two. But it is not a step back, either - review.

Intel’s DG45FC is a loaded LGA775 Mini-ITX motherboard. Paired with a Wolfdale processor and an efficient power supply, it is an excellent choice for a powerful yet energy-efficient mini PC - review.

Graphics

ATI’s 512MB PCI-E Radeon HD 4670 is a great budget level graphics card. It performs surprisingly well in gamings, offers good high definition playback, and its power efficiency is second to none. The fan on the cooler is quite poor at load, though at least it is inconspicous when idle, and easily swapped for a silent cooler like the Arctic Cooling Accelero S2 - review.

ATI’s Radeon HD 4830 512MB PCI-E video card represents the best middle-of-the-road graphics card for those who want to have a good gaming experience without breaking the bank ($130 or so) or driving up the electric bill. Main complaint is the stock reference cooler and its poor fan qualities - review.

Asus’s ENGTX260 is an excellent high-end gaming card, and is quiet enough to be usable in most silent PCs - link.

Memory, storage

Intel delivers one of the world’s fastest drives with the X25-M SSD. It is the great equalizer between the notebook and desktop. If Intel can get capacities over 100GB at reasonable prices in the near future, the X25-M would be the best upgrade you could possibly do to your system - link.

Cases, power supplies, cooling

PC Power & Cooling’s Silencer 610 delivers clean power with tight voltage regulation all the way to its full rated output. At $110~120, it is competitively priced with other high profile quiet PSU brands such as Corsair, Enermax, Seasonic or Silverstone. Acoustically, it does not match the quietest models from these brands due to using an 80mm fan - link.

Miscellaneous components and periferals

How to stop the whining noise of your LCD monitor - link.