The multeity of PC chassis in the market might create a real confusion for entry-level consumers. Small-sized and big-sized, rectangular and square, black and white models are developed with the only purpose: to satisfy the demands of each particular customer group. Gigabyte, a hardware giant, knows how to attract potential clients to its new products. Sumo series of chassis is primarily targeting gamers due to a futuristic design and bright LED lighting. However, the latest model of this series, codenamed Sumo Alfa, is destined for a wider audience than gamers only and will perfectly suit PC enthusiasts, as well as, users with more modest requirements.



Integration


Chassis Gigabyte Sumo Alfa is designed in midi-tower form-factor with lower PSU localization. It is delivered in a mere black color of casing, supplemented by a few steel-like inlets on the frontal panel. The latter is given an unusual shape to justify the slogan 'The Future Begins': glossy surface with metallic …

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Nvidia introduces a new graphics accelerator Tesla K20X intended specifically for supercomputers. Tesla K20X, a flagship model of Tesla K20 series, is based on Nvidia Kepler architecture and is able to secure the highest performance supported by a single CPU. According to the preliminary testing, it ensures ten times faster operation of applications in combination with top-class processors. Moreover, this accelerator is currently supposed to be the most efficient one in the market, providing for utmost speeds and utmost performance ever seen.



Graphics accelerator Tesla K20X is notable by three times lower power consumption if compared with all previous generations of Nvidia products. Besides, it increases the performance discrepancy between GPU and CPU. A bunch of outstanding characteristics ensures 3.95 teraflops in calculations with a single precision and 1.31 teraflops in calculations with a dual precision.


In addition, a new series involves Tesla K20 accelerator that …

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Asus has replenished its graphics card series based on Kepler architecture with a brand variation of one-chip GeForce GTX 680 adapter. Brand Asus GeForce GTX 680 card has been developed on an original in design circuit board and is notable by the doubled to 4GB GDDR5 memory capacity. Nevertheless, the most outstanding characteristic of a new product is the implementation of a two-slot cooling system, codenamed DirectCU II. Earlier Asus equipped its GeForce GTX 680 adapters with three-slot coolers.



The company decided to concentrate mainly on the introduction of an uncommon cooling system, leaving all frequency showings identical to the recommended by Nvidia index. Thus, graphics core operates at 1006 MHz frequency, while memory module works at 6008 MHz. Memory chips are soldered on both sides of the circuit board. The reverse side of PCB is covered by an aluminum plate that is in direct contact with GDDR5 chips.


Some IT professionals dare assuming that the rejection of …

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QNAP, an outstanding supplier of network attached storages and NVR solutions, announces the release of a new high-end NAS series TS-x69. The series is represented by five models with two (TS-269 Pro), four (TS-469 Pro), five (TS-569 Pro), six (TS-669 Pro) and eight (TS-869 Pro) disk bays. All the models support hot drive swapping activity that does not require cessation of all operations when there is a need to change one of the drives. Under the company's idea, these NAS products are targeting small and middle business as a primary goal.



All five models are based on two-core Intel Atom D2700 processor, the nominal clock frequency of which achieves 2.13 GHz. TS-x69 models are equipped with DDR3 memory type of 1GB capacity; if there is a necessity, the user is able to enlarge the volume to 3GB. All storages support the integration of hard drives with the maximal 4TB capacity and high-speed SATA III 6 Gb/sec interface. Interface set is introduced by identical ports and outputs …

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Verbatim has just announced the upcoming release of its thinnest external hard drive, codenamed Store 'n' Go Ultra Slim. Moreover, according to the claimed dimensions, this drive will join the echelon of the most thinnest products currently available in the market. Hence, Store 'n' Go Ultra Slim features only 10.5 mm casing depth that is 20% thinner than all previous models from Store 'n' Go series. The new development will be delivered in two color variations (black and silver) in a blister package that reduces CO2 emissions to the atmosphere.



External hard drive Store 'n' Go Ultra Slim employs USB 3.0 interface but is totally compatible with the previous version — USB 2.0. This model features 500GB capacity and 7mm internal disk. It ensures data storage and backup facilities for a range of computing and consumer applications. The drive is also ideal for USB writing operations. It facilitates the record of TV programs, movies or other content to the drive directly from …

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Some year-two ago monitors with large 27-inch displays employed only TN+Film panel types. Their price, of course, was not affordable for the entry-level and average customer sectors. But today, 27-inch products are not rarity and, moreover, they are developed also on an advanced AMVA panel type at a more reasonable price. BenQ marveled its customers last summer by the release of an outstanding monitor, codenamed GW2750HM, based exactly on AMVA panel. Its alluring price also added to the product's popularity.



Reference Data


Monitor BenQ GW2750HM employs AMVA panel (M270HW02 V1), designed by AU Optronics, with W-LED lighting. The latter is called to reduce power consumption and add some neatness to the design. This panel's response time is estimated at 4 ms that is considered to be an optimal index for such type of products. The model features 27-inch display with 1920x1080 resolution, 178/178 viewing angles, 5000:1 static contrast, and 20 million to 1 dynamic contrast. The …

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SilverStone, a Taiwanese manufacturer of high-end cooling solutions, has recently launched two new coolers codenamed NT01-PRO and NT06-PRO. Both models replenish the Nitrogon series and distinguish themselves by utmost compatibility. Hence, this couple is able to cool down practically all CPU systems developed by AMD and Intel, due to the support of sockets AM2, AM3, FM1, FM2 (AMD) and LGA775, 1155, 1156, 1366, and 2011 (Intel).



Coolers NT01-PRO and NT06-PRO consist of a copper-nickeled base, six heat pipes (6 mm each) and single-section aluminum heatsink. The first model NT01-PRO is delivered without nominal fans and features 140x97x120 mm dimensions. The customer gets the right to decide which fans, 70 mm or 80 mm, will provide more cooling effect to CPU. This cooler will benefit the most if integrated on the rear or top panel of PC chassis.


The second model NT06-PRO features 140x82x139 mm and is delivered with a single 120 mm fan. Its rotational speed is monitored by …

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The launch of graphics solutions with WindForce 5X cooling system stirred a real boom in the market, giving a special tribute to the products developed by Gigabyte. The company launched two adapters this summer with the implementation of WindForce 5X system and now introduces one more card on its basis. Model Gigabyte GeForce GTX 680 Super Overclock can be called a paragon of efficient performance, overclocking and cooling activities.



Design


Graphics card GeForce GTX 680 Super Overclock features 295x120x64 mm dimensions and rather unusual design. Instead of common fans on the frontal board Gigabyte covered PCB and elements of cooling system by a metallic cover with decorative holes; the rear board is also covered by a metallic plate. The top board is only partially covered by the lid that hides a line of five fans, while the bottom board unveils a voluminous heatsink with heatpipes. The implemented circuit board is originally designed with a reinforced power supply …

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Foxconn introduces a new high-performance mini-PC intended basically at home media systems. Codenamed AT-5570, this computer is characterized by power-efficient, low-noise and compact (190x135x38 mm) properties. Thanks to a dedicated VESA fixing element, AT-5570 might be placed on a rear plate of TV-set or PC monitor; this will offer additional space on the working surface. All potential clients will find this PC either in black or silver casing coloring.



Mini-PC Foxconn AT-5570 is based on two-core AMD C-70 processor and employs AMD Radeon HD 7290 graphics core. The implemented graphics differs dramatically in terms of speed from Intel GMA built-in solutions which are frequently used in similar compact PCs. The model supports DirectX 11 technology and uses DVI/HDMI ports as imaging output; the customer is able to connect two monitors simultaneously to provide for better graphics effects.


The integrated CPU is notable by 9W TDP index that positively influences the warming …

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In September Zotac introduced its own version of GeForce GTX 650 graphics adapter. Now, after two months, the company announces its intentions to release a low-profile version of this adapter. Moreover, Zotac decided not to lose time on inventing an appropriate name for its card, but simply added the attribute LP (low-profile) to the existing name. Quite modest dimensions and lack of an additional power supply socket are not peculiar to adapters from GeForce GTX series, but Zotac is not embarrassed by this fact.



Graphics card Zotac GeForce GTX 650 LP is based on GK107 chip with 385 CUDA cores, developed on Kepler architecture (28 nm process). Due to its compact dimensions, it can be integrated into small-sized chassis of HTPC system. Despite the small PCB width, the card takes two expansion slots within the casing, since the height of cooler achieves the measure of 35-40 mm. The card's inventory includes 1024 MB GDDR5 memory with 128 bit interface, 32 texture blocks, and 16 …

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