AnandTech: Computex 2005 Early Bird Coverage: NVIDIA's G70, Athlon 64 BTX and more

AnandTech: Computex 2005 Early Bird Coverage: NVIDIA's G70, Athlon 64 BTX and more:

In an effort to differentiate themselves from other motherboard manufacturers, Gigabyte has introduced a number of interesting add-ons for their motherboards, the most interesting of which is their $50 RAMDISK PCI card.

The card is a regular 32-bit PCI card that features four standard DIMM slots on board. The card also features a custom Gigabyte FPGA that is programmed to act as a SATA to DDR translator, which convinces the SATA controller you connect the card to that the memory you have on that card is no different than a regular SATA HDD. As long as you have memory on the card, the card will be available at POST as an actual SATA drive, with no additional drivers necessary.

The card is powered via the PCI slot, but RAM is volatile and thus if no power is provided to the card then all of the data is lost. In order to make this solution more realistic for real-world usage, Gigabyte outfitted the card with a rechargeable battery pack that can keep the memory powered and data intact for up to 16 hours with no power. After that 16 hours is up, your data is lost, but as soon as you apply power to the card again the battery pack will begin to recharge.

The Battery Pack and SATA connector. You connect a SATA cable from this port to the SATA controller on your motherboard and the RAMDISK will be treated as a hard drive.

Given that the card offers no real backup other than the battery it’s not really suitable for extremely sensitive data, but it works well if your system is on all the time. Obviously the biggest benefit of using DDR memory as storage is that all accesses occur in nanoseconds, not milliseconds and is thus much faster at random accesses than regular hard drives. Transfer rates are also improved, but you're limited by the bandwidth of the SATA interface so DDR200 memory is the fastest that is supported.

SpeckProducts: iGuy gumby case for iPod

SpeckProducts:

Meet iGuy- the first bendable, posable friend for you and your iPod! Not only is iGuy fun, he's fully functional- offering great rubberized protection, docking capability, and screen protection for your iPod or iPod Photo.

Slashphone.com - The Thickness War: Samsung SCH-V740 - mobile phone reviews, news, rumors, mobile community and more...

Slashphone.com - The Thickness War: Samsung SCH-V740 - mobile phone reviews, news, rumors, mobile community and more...

Since the last rumor about Samsung's thin mobile phone, they have finally unveiled the mobile phone in Expo Communication in Korea! Samsung lose a bit by having 14.5mm thickness vs Motorola V3's 14mm. Samsung's SCH-V740 support EV-DO for high speed data connection, and have easy access button for mp3 playing. The Motorola V3 has a more classic keypad design though and a CDMA version of Motorola V3 will soon be released in Korea. See pictures here!

• Network: CDMA 1x EV-DO 800 mHz
• 98g
• 98 x 51 x 14.5 mm
• 1.3 megapixel Camera
• 262 colors TFT LCD screen (240 x 320)
• External LCD Screen (96 x 96)
• bluetooth, mp3 player

MADSHRIMPS - Hardware Reviews ,Crazy Projects, Modding Tutorials and Overclocking

MADSHRIMPS - Hardware Reviews ,Crazy Projects, Modding Tutorials and Overclocking:

Following up on our P4 Roundup we have a few heatsinks designed especially for the A64 platform; some of the HSF combo's previously tested could be mounted on A64 and P4, and with the help of a custom bracket almost any P4 heatsinks which uses the Intel retention bracket can be installed on A64.

Diaper Bag for the Metrosexual Man?

Duds4Dads.com - Baby Bandolier the wearable diaper bag for parents

Since it seems like everyone around me is having a baby I thought this might be useful for all the new dads.

Easily holds all the essentials you need.
Across-the-shoulder style looks great on mom or dad.
Hands free for active life while baby goes along.

• Built-in wipe-able changing pad with baby wipe zipper pocket
• Hidden zipper pouch for diapers & extra outfit
• High-tech fabric -- all-weather, waterproof & stain-resistant
• Adjustable double-lock buckle for perfect fit & comfort
• Reflecting tape for safety
• Mobile phone pocket
• Zippered double compartment for everything from PDAs to snacks
• Bottle sleeve securely holds 8 oz. or 16 oz. bottle
• Detachable, insulated bag keeps bottle warm or cold
• Zippered pouch for wallet and keys

2005 Home Entertainment Show Page 6 - Featured Article - Designtechnica

2005 Home Entertainment Show Page 6 - Featured Article - Designtechnica
A laser turntable, what will the think of next. I can now feel confident about bringing out my stack 12" remix singles without worrying about damaging them. Maybe I really should, but this thing has got to be priced at less than $18,999, much much less, how about $18.99 or $89.99.

While most like to think that vinyl records are pass�, many people still wane lovingly over their record collections. Digital compact discs are not the only way to listen to music, and Gramophone records have been produced since Edison’s phonograph. Unfortunately, there have always been numerous problems with turntables; the mechanical belts, phono cartridges, and the needles wear out and scratch the records. With Elp Corporation’s new laser turntable, it has blasted vinyl record technology into the 21st century by beaming a laser onto the record grooves so that there is no physical contract whatsoever with the record. It is the only analog record player that does not wear records. Musical information is processed in analog, and all circuitry is analog as well for completely analog sound reproduction. It connects to any phono pre-amplifier producing audiophile quality sound in either mono or stereo.

The laser turntable can play 7-, 8.5-, 10-, 11-, and 12-in. diameter records. It can playback 33-1/3, 45, and 78 rpm records. There’s also a variable speed control in 30-50 rpm in 0.1 rpm steps, and 60-90 rpm in 0.2 rpm steps. There are a total of five lasers: two for the left and right groove walls, two for tracking groove pitch, and one for tracking groove warp. No adjustment is required for anti-skate, and it uses linear tracking to zero tracking error distortion. Since the optical pickup is controlled by microprocessors, the laser turntable operates much like a CD player with cueing to individual cuts, random access, and repeat play, and it offers numerous programming possibilities. The laser turntable displays elapsed/remaining or total time just like a CD player. Model LT-1LRC plays 45s and LPs, and is priced at $14,999. Model LT-1XRC plays 45s, LPs, and 78s, and is priced at $16,999. Lastly, model LT-2XRC plays 45s, LPs, and 78s of any size, and is priced at $18,999.

y a l e t o w n: Secret's Out - the Nokia N91

y a l e t o w n: Secret's Out - the Nokia N91
Boy do I want one of those N91 phones...

Well, I can finally tell you a little something about the project we've all be toiling away on in secret out here: yesterday, Nokia unveiled its first flagship music phone, called the N91 - and it was conceived, designed and built right here in Vancouver, BC.

The folks here have been working like maniacs to get the N91 ready for launch - you wouldn't believe the amount of work that goes into one little phone. It was really gratifying to see the response in the press (though a little odd being on the other side for a change) - people seemed uniformly impressed. It won't actually be released until later in the year (mobile-phone companies are notoriously impetuous about product announcements), but hopefully I'll get a prototype to tote around in the next couple of months. Hopefully we can knock a few big dents into the unstoppable iPod machine...

Crazy "tunnelling" shirt pocket

Crazy "tunnelling" shirt pocket

OverClock Intelligence Agency: Thermalright XP90-C cooler review

Thermalright XP90-C cooler review

Wow, I must say that I am impressed. Performance at the default 2.4Ghz/1.5v is about even across the board even with the XP90-C using the 120mm fan.. Overclocking to 2.7Ghz however, the XP90-C manages to edge out the XP120 by 5� C with the 92mm.. These results are pretty interesting, I was expecting the 120mm fan to further improve the XP90-C's performance, but clearly I was wrong. The idle temps of the XP90-C using the 120mm fan are a degree lower, but the load temps higher.. Every Thermalright cooler I test ends up being the best air cooler I've used, and Thermalright didn't disappoint today. The XP90-C with 92mm fan is the clear winner here. If you prefer air cooling, the Thermalright XP90-C should be your next heatsink, just think about what it could do with a 92mm Tornado.

ThinkGeek :: Room Defender (fires foam discs when motion detected)

ThinkGeek :: Room Defender
Apparently this has been discontinued, so when they sell out, that's it.

Every first person shooter has a level where you have to get past a bunch of automated motion-detecting turret sentries in order to get to your objective (likely rescuing the progeny of somebody with mega-influence). It's FPS 101. Now you can live out those FPS scenarios in the real world with the Room Defender and still live to tell about it. When activated (either via motion detector or via included remote), the Room Defender will shoot up to fifteen foam discs up to fifteen feet away! Various modes available. Use it to protect your cubicle or office. We haven't tried, but we toyed with the idea of mounting shurikens to the foam discs, but common sense slipped into view...

Features/Specs:

• Motion-sensor alarm protects your space with rapid-firing action.
• Two modes – motion activation and manual trigger with a remote.
• Tripod is adjustable for different height and aiming levels.
• Any motion activates the alarm and launches 16 soft foam disks at intruder.
• Includes 16 soft foam discs that shoot up to 15 feet.
• Requires 4AA and 2AAA batteries (not included)