The rising competition between the two giants in the manufacture of processing units, Intel and AMD, makes each of the two invent ever newer technologies and implement them in their products. The attempts to dominate in the market and win as many consumers usually develop into brand new approaches and brand new advanced facilities.



In this light, Intel is going to upgrade its Ivy Bridge processors to make them more power-efficient. But power-efficiency does not imply that processing units will show less performance; quite the contrary, the manufacturer is willing to combine an utmost performance with the maximal power efficiency level.


Currently, the most power-saving processors of Ivy Bridge generation can be found in mobile devices on Windows platform and in Apple MacBook Air devices. Their TDP level is recorded at 17W. As appears from the above mentioned, the TDP level in upgraded Ivy Bridge processors will be lower than 17W, though the developers do not voice the margin …

NEC has replenished its product line with a new 24-inch monitor that joins MultiSync series. Codenamed MD242C2, the model is housed in a case of a rather strict design, featuring 556.8x227.6x378-528 mm dimensions. Upon the whole, this monitor positions itself as the most appropriate solution for medical establishments, providing for an accurate imaging.



Monitor NEC MD242C2 is based on IPS array with LED backlit and 12 ms response time (8 ms in Gray-to-Gray mode). Its operational resolution equals to 1920x1200 pixels, while the display aspect ratio makes up 16:10. Viewing angles, both vertical and horizontal, equal to 178 degrees, brightness achieves 350 cd/m2 and static contrast is estimated as 1000:1. NEC employs 14-bit look-up tables (LUT) to ensure proper color output and more accurate display of gray hues in blackened areas.


To continue, the manufacturer equips this model with mini D-Sub, HDMI, DVI-D, and DisplayPort video outputs. The two latter ports are known to …

EK Water Blocks is about to put on sale its VGA waterblock, designed specifically for Asus ROG Matrix HD 7970 graphics card. Codenamed EK-FC7970 Matrix, the product will become available in retail sale already on 8 March and will cost approximately €110. Such price is justified by the utmost heat management facilities that ensure 100% percent reliability.



EK-FC7970 Matrix belongs to the echelon of waterblocks with full coverage. Its base is made of nickel-plated copper, its rear backplate – of anodized aluminum, and its lid – of acetal. The model shows compatibility with all standard fittings of G1/4 dimensional type.


It should be mentioned that EK Water Blocks furnished its new creation with all necessary fastenings, a backplate, and a mounting plate; the latter takes only two slots, unlike a nominal Asus ROG Matrix HD 7970 plate which takes three slots. Such switch of plates will be useful on simultaneous installation of several expansion cards.


This …