Dell Enhances PowerEdge Server

Dell Enhances PowerEdge Server

 

Dell has introduced enhancements to its Dell PowerEdge server portfolio with new AMD Opteron 6200 Series processors for better energy efficiency and performance for enterprise applications, Web, private cloud and virtualization. Dell now offers the AMD Opteron 6200 Series processors in its PowerEdge R715 and R815 rack servers, the PowerEdge M915 blade server and the ultra-dense PowerEdge C6145.

With up to 16 cores per processor, AMD says the new processors achieve up to 24 to 84 percent better performance helping applications to run more effectively. The Dell PowerEdge M915 supports four high-performance AMD Opteron 6282SE processors. For customers seeking to save data center space, the high-density Dell PowerEdge R815 provides four processors in a 2U chassis compared to the 4U designs of the HP DL580 and HPDL585.

"Highly virtualized environments and scale-out workloads like cloud and Big Data are changing the dynamics of the data center," said Sally Stevens, vice president, Server Platform Marketing, Dell. "From economical 2-socket platforms to high-performance 4-socket blades and ultra-dense servers, Dell PowerEdge systems are tuned to deliver outstanding performance and scalability. Our customers want to be able to do more work in less space, and we're giving them that capability with a complete AMD-based server portfolio that allows them to effectively manage high volumes of system traffic while reducing workload costs."

Built specifically to drive higher compute in less space, the Dell PowerEdge C6145 delivers strong performance, increased scalability for virtualization with less overhead, and more efficient scale-out economics for cloud computing. The PowerEdge C6145 now packs up to 128 AMD 6200 Series processor cores in 2U with shared infrastructure that increases server density and a streamlined feature set that minimizes power drain. As a result, customers such as the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) are able to handle massively parallel applications at 2-3 times less cost compared to typical 4-socket processing.

"NCSA iForge is a unique supercomputer that enables our private sector partners to solve the most complex real-world problems involved in the engineering, design and manufacturing of products in almost every commercial industry," said Evan Burness, Project Manager of NCSA's Private Sector Program. "Regular upgrades to the latest technologies help ensure that we continue to provide a distinct competitive advantage to our partners. Across a number of benchmarks, NCSA's early testing of the Dell PowerEdge C6145 with AMD Opteron 6200 series processors shows substantially better performance per dollar when compared to the Intel Xeon L7555 processor. Dell and AMD technology gives NCSA iForge the ability to do more with less, and that's a tremendous value for us."

Source Link:- http://www.echannelline.com

Dell Enhances PowerEdge Server

   

Dell Enhances PowerEdge Server

 

 Dell Enhances PowerEdge Server 

Microsoft Unveils Windows 8

Microsoft Unveils Windows 8

Microsoft has officially unveiled their latest operating system to the public by releasing a Windows 8 preview video, which shows off some of the newest operating system features.

Windows 8 will run on all tablet PCs, notebooks, netbooks and of course more conventional desktop machines. But with Windows 8, Microsoft developers are aiming to create a seamless experience across all devices.

Mike Angiulo, corporate vice president of Windows Planning says:

“Our aim with ‘Windows 8’ is to make the user experience a natural extension of the device, from the time you turn on your PC through how you interact with the applications you know and love. This represents a fundamental shift in Windows design that we haven’t attempted since the days of Windows 95, presenting huge opportunities for our hardware partners to innovate with new PC designs.”

So basically there will be a single user interface for each version of Windows 8 that will look, function, and offer all the same features no matter what device is running it.

Windows 8 Preview at Computex 2011

The Windows 8 preview was debuted at the D9 conference in California and was also further elaborated at Computex, 2011 in Taipei, Taiwan.

Microsoft unveiled the new operating system through several live demos and a fully narrated Windows 8 preview video. They showed off the main focus of the new operating system, a fully functional touch based interface.

The new interface finally provides an explanation for why Microsoft never offered Windows 7 in the form of a tablet experience. Windows 7 offered a great PC experience, but it was never optimized for touch-screen devices.

Windows 8 will now feature full support for tablet devices with a fully updated user interface and tile based menu system. Of course it will also support more traditional PC platforms including but not limited to desktops, notebooks, and notebook machines.

Windows 8 Preview of Features & Innovations

The Microsoft development team also unveiled additional information about Windows 8 to the public, but they did not provide an exhaustive example of the new operating system. While we don’t exactly know every detail about Windows 8, here’s the breakdown of what we do know:

-Windows 8 will run on tablets, notebooks, netbooks, desktops, and probably mobile devices.

-Windows 8 will provide a streamlined touch interface for tablets and a traditional control scheme for a mouse and keyboard.

-The new user interface will be completely touch optimized for use with touchscreen devices that support gesture and multi-touch features.

-Windows 8 will ship with Internet Explorer 10 as the default browser.

-Windows 8 will use tiled menus similar to the Windows Phone 7 interface, but they will be more advanced and accessible.

-Windows 8 will run older software that is compatible with all previous versions of Windows (you can breathe a sigh of relief).

-Windows 8 will offer multi-tasking opportunities just as previous versions have in the past.

-Windows 8 will scale to the operating device’s proper screen resolution; which means it will scale automatically to tablets, netbooks and higher end desktops.

-Applications will be launched from a tile based start menu instead of the traditional icon list based menu.

-Web based applications and programs will use HTML5 and Javascript for better overall performance.

It is also very important to note that “Windows 8” is currently just a codename for the new operating system, which means the name can be changed at any time. Remember that Windows Vista was previously code named the “Mojave Experiment“, while Windows 7 on the other hand remained “Windows 7” during the entire development period. The operating system’s development name does not necessarily reflect the official product release name.

Source Link:-  http://www.thetechlabs.com

 Microsoft Unveils Windows 8

Microsoft Unveils Windows 8

Microsoft Unveils Windows 8

Microsoft Unveils Windows 8

Microsoft Unveils Windows 8

Microsoft Unveils Windows 8

Microsoft Unveils Windows 8

Microsoft Unveils Windows 8

The PC, As We Know

The PC, as we know it, is pretty much dead

The rapid rise of cloud computing, coupled with a slew of increasingly powerful mobile computing devices, is killing the PC faster than analysts had predicted.

In fact, some now say, the desktop PC is essentially dead – an immobile zombie that's already irrelevant to many consumers and soon will be to businesses, too.

Yesterday's announcement of Apple's iCloud, which will store content online and sync all of a user's Apple devices wirelessly, is the latest in a series of nails being hammered into the PC coffin. Smart phones and tablets have given rise to a new consumer demand for immediate information at our fingertips, which John Quain, industry expert and longtime technology writer, said has made the desktop computer defunct.

"We don’t need PCs anymore," Quain told BusinessNewsDaily. "They are dead."

PC sales slide 

The two-stage death march is evident in surprisingly dim statistics released recently.

Two of the world's largest manufactures of personal computers, HP and Dell, recently reported significant losses in sales to consumers. PC sales to individuals for quarter ending April 30 plunged 23 percent at HP and 7 percent at Dell.

PC sales to businesses have fared better. But overall, a turning point has clearly passed.

This spring, Gartner Inc. released statistics showing PC sales overall dropped 1.1 percent compared to last year. Meanwhile, IMS Research has forecast a whopping 213 percent growth for tablets.

While the PC has long been considered a necessity in the workplace, Quain said mobile devices are now giving businesses the chance to break from that mold.

"I see a lot of large enterprises and small businesses reconsidering the need for a desktop computer," Quain said. "The tablet computers are much cheaper, and give small and medium-size business another option so they don’t have to invest in a desktop computer."

Meanwhile laptops, considered to be PCs, are changing rapidly. Apple's Mac Air has the instant-on capability of a tablet computer, and isn't much bigger than one. Intel recently announced Ultrabook, a thin, light tablet-like laptop with a touch screen. The company thinks it'll make up half the laptop market by the end of next year.

And earlier this year, Motorola released the Atrix 4G, a smartphone that docks to a laptop-like device that's really just a screen, keyboard and giant battery. The smartphone is the brains of the operation.

Gone from campuses 

Nowhere is the PC demise more stark than among the consumers of tomorrow.

At Penn State University, Director of Education Technology Services Allan Gyorke said the former student staple is now rarely spotted in dorm rooms.

"The desktop PC is dead," Gyorke said, estimating that 95 percent of students now bring a laptop or tablet media device to campus instead of using a traditional PC in their dorm room.

Those newer devices, he said, are easier to store and easier to set up.

While not ready to put the final nail in the PC's coffin, Roger Kay, an industry expert and president of Endpoint Technologies Associates, said the growing use of media tablets and smartphones is indeed pushing it out the door.

"Death might be an overexaggeration, but the wind has been taken out of the PC’s sails," Kay said. "There is a lot of momentum going the other way."

With tablets and smartphones having as many computer capabilities as a desktop PC, Kay said it's only naturally for people to choose the handier option.

"It is hugely more convenient," Kay said. "It immediately changed my lifestyle, in that it offered a type of mobile computing that wasn’t available before."

The wireless connection 

The explosion of wireless networks is also linked to the PC's demise. You no longer need to be seated at a desktop computer that is plugged into the phone line next to it to access the Internet, Gyorke noted.

"If there is a wireless connection somewhere, people want to access it," Gyorke said. "That is a real drawing force."

Apple's new iCloud will help seal the desktop's fate by spurring the use of all cloud-based services, Quain said. "It is going to make everyone feel more confident in using those cloud services."

Other analysts point out that the iCloud is mostly an Apple affair, but that Google, Microsoft and others who want a foothold in the cloud are already racing in that direction, and iCloud will only heat that race up.

Evolve or die 

Still, even as he acknowledged that PC alternatives such as the iPad and other media tablets are slowing personal computer sales, George Shiffler, research director at Gartner, said he expects the PC to survive by evolving 

Source Link:- http://today.msnbc.msn.com

Cyber-Crooks Eye Apple Macs With Fake Anti-Malware

Cyber-Crooks Eye Apple Macs With Fake Anti-Malware 

(Reuters) - The days when Mac users need not worry about their computers getting infected with malicious software may be coming to an end.

Internet security experts say that cyber-criminals have begun targeting users of the increasingly popular computers from Apple Inc with one of the most pernicious types of malware: fake anti-virus programs.

To date, hackers have focused on writing malicious software for machines running Microsoft Corp's Windows operating system, which inhabits more than nine of every 10 PCs.

But as Macs grow in number, they are becoming more attractive targets.

"Only once a platform has a certain level of market share does it become profitable for malware to attack it," said Dino Dai Zovi, co-author of The Mac Hacker's Handbook. "As the Mac becomes more popular there will be more and more threats."

Security firm McAfee has seen "a steady stream" of these anti-malware viruses appear over the Internet in the past week as it scours the Web for malicious software, said Dave Marcus, one of the company's top researchers.

The fake anti-virus malware is downloaded when people click on links from tainted search engine results for popular queries, Marcus said. It also spreads when users click on links to malicious sites that might be included in emails, Tweets or Facebook messages.

A spokesman for Apple declined comment.

Enforcing cybersecurity is becoming increasingly difficult with the proliferation in recent years of interconnected devices. The hacking of Sony's PlayStation Network -- which unearthed data on more than 100 million users in the largest single Internet hacking scheme ever -- underscored how exposed consumers can be.

Malware ranges from software that runs in the background to break into private data, to programs such as fake anti-virus software intended to help hackers profit.

These programs cause messages to pop up saying a machine has been infected with a virus. They offer to sell a fake anti-virus software package to clean up the problem. If the user pays the $80 to $100 for the software, the messages generally disappear.

But if the user fails to pony up, the annoying messages persist.

"This is the first time we've seen something hit en masse," said Chet Wisniewski, senior security adviser with anti-virus software maker Sophos, a rival of McAfee.

Wisniewski's company located a version of the fake anti-virus software for Macs that caused pornography to show up on a machine's screen every few minutes, to convince users their machines did indeed need to be cleaned of malware.

Sophos is one of a handful of security firms that sell anti-virus software for Macs. Others include McAfee and Symantec Corp. Apple already includes basic anti-virus software as part of its Mac OS X operating system.

Independent Mac security experts believe there is enough security built into the OS X operating system to protect users, given the current level of risk.

If users want extra protection, they should obtain anti-virus software from a company that they are sure is a legitimate vendor, said Dino Dai Zovi, co-author of The Mac Hacker's Handbook. He advised users to obtain that software through the Mac App Store.

One day, he said, it will become necessary to purchase special protection for Macs, but that time has not yet arrived.

Source Link:- http://in.reuters.com/

Digital Giants Reveal Latest Technology At World IT Show

The 2011 World IT Show kicked off on Wednesday in Seoul, revealing the latest digital products and telecommunications technology.

Under the theme, "Get IT Smart," more than 550 digital firms from home and abroad participated in the show, vying to attract customers with their smart gadgets and ground-breaking convergence of IT technologies.

[Interview : Kyle Lederer, Govt. Affairs Analyst "The exhibition is beautiful. It's got a myriad of different companies and so many different technologies are being discussed with some great displays."

The buzzwords for this year's digital fair are "LTE," "4G" and "3D". SK Telecom has unveiled its LTE, or long-term evolution, technology for the first time, showing off its vast advancement from the previous 3G service.

SK's arch rival, KT also showcased its next generation wireless service, which has been online since April, earning wide acclaim for its revolutionary speed.

[Interview : ] "We focused on allowing customers to gain hands-on experience with future communication technologies, like home-grown 4G technology and mobile CCTV that runs on wibro. We're also showcasing a comprehensive media service that's been developed by small and mid-sized firms."

KT also gave a first look at "near field communication," or NFC, an upgraded version of the previous mobile banking service that eliminates pre-existing service limits, while strengthening financing security.
While wireless devices are all the rage, Samsung and LG took a different approach by focusing on their newest 3D devices.

Samsung revealed the world's largest premium 3D TV, providing a source of wonder to spectators in special glasses, and reigniting demand for a good telly in the current sluggish market.
LG Electronics' Optimus 3D was also revealed to public for the first time.

The Android-powered smartphone allows users to shoot their own 3D videos and enjoy 3D footage without glasses, a technology that no one has yet to try.

Source Link:- http://www.arirang.co.kr

Intel: Moore's Law; Welcome to 3-D transistors

Silicon wafers historically have been two dimensional. Intel on Wednesday changed all of that with 3-D transistors, dubbed Tri-Gate. The aim: Ensure that Moore’s Law, which dictates that transistor density doubles every two years, keeps chugging along.

These 3-D transistors are in-production technology and are expected to be used in handhelds as well as servers (statement). The 3-D transistors will be the crux of a range of 22 nanometer processors—code named Ivy Bridge. Ivy Bridge will be ready for production at the end of the year.

These 3-D-based chips will first hit servers, desktops and laptops; Atom-based products will come later. Intel didn’t detail exact delivery targets, but later this year is likely. The company said it expects it will have a three-year lead on rivals.

Intel first detailed 3-D transistors in 2002, and now these chips will hit the market. The general idea is to pack more computing cycles with lower power. For Intel, which demonstrated a 22nm chip, 3-D chips will allow it to move into more markets such as cars, medical devices and other devices.

At a press conference in San Francisco, Dadi Perlmutter, executive vice president of Intel’s Architecture Group, said the company’s move will push higher performance onto smaller devices. Devices will require “ever-increasing performance” whether you’re talking servers in a data center or tablets.

Intel executives were asked about whether they can break into smartphones and tablets vs. ARM.

Perlmutter said: “I’m not going to go into big details. This will keep us extremely competitive in traditional space and help us to move ahead farther than the ARM ecosystem.”

He added that 22nm and Tri-Gate transistors will be “a wonderful tool” as the company tries to enter the smartphone and tablet market. Perlmutter added that there are “things we are trying to penetrate” and that Intel will be very competitive with ARM. Nevertheless, Perlmutter downplayed the architecture issue between x86 and ARM architecture.

It was clear that smartphone and tablet chips were all anyone wanted to talk about. Intel said it will outline more on this front at its analyst meeting.

3-D transistors have been touted by scientists for years, but the difference here is that Intel will use them in volume. Intel executives said that the company will begin revamping its plants in Arizona, Oregon and Israel to produce these 3-D chips.

In a nutshell, Intel is giving transistors “fins,” which allow it to pack more power in a tight spot. Intel noted that it couldn’t merely continue to shrink processors and keep Moore’s Law going.

Intel likened the Tri-Gate transistors to skyscrapers, which allowed developers to optimize space by moving upward.

Among the key points:

* 3-D Tri-Gate transistors will operate at lower voltage with less leakage. The upshot is that performance will improve.

* Chip designers will be able to pick fins and choose transistors for low power or performance.

* 22nm Tri-Gate transistors will use less than half the power at the same performance as 2-D 32nm chips.

* These 3-D transistors have a 10x lower depletion rate.

* Applied to a CPU, you can have a lower clock rate with the same performance as higher speeds.

Intel Goes 3D With Tri-Gate Transistors

Intel reveals what will power its next-generation of chips, the 3D Tri-Gate transistor.  Intel says the increased performance and reduced power consumption is the future of 22nm-based devices from handhelds to cloud-based servers.

Larry Dignan has more about the chip that Intel claims will keep Moore's Law rolling.

This image shows the vertical fins of Intel’s revolutionary tri-gate transistors passing through the gates.

Intel Goes 3D With Tri-Gate Transistors

Intel Goes 3D With Tri-Gate Transistors

Intel Goes 3D With Tri-Gate Transistors

Intel Goes 3D With Tri-Gate Transistors

Intel Goes 3D With Tri-Gate Transistors

 Intel Goes 3D With Tri-Gate Transistors

Sony Brings In Forensic Experts On Data Breaches

Sony Brings In Forensic Experts On Data Breaches

 
Sony said that it's called in three computer security and forensics firms to help investigate the data breaches that compromised the user account information of more than 100 million of its customers. The firms named by Sony are Data Forte, Guidance Software, and Protiviti.

Sony brought in some of those digital forensic investigators--and also notified the FBI about the breach--on April 22, the day after its network engineers first suspected that its systems had been breached. As the scale of the breach became apparent, growing to include not only the PlayStation Network and Qriocity service, but also the Sony Online Entertainment games service, Sony began calling in the other forensics companies.

But government officials--and not a few customers--have been critical about what they see as Sony's slow response to resolving the breach and restoring services, and political pressure is mounting. According to Bloomberg News, Sony has been subpoenaed by New York attorney general Eric Schneiderman, who is "seeking information on what Sony told customers about the security of their networks, as part of a consumer protection inquiry."

So, what exactly are Sony and its digital forensic investigators doing, and why haven't services been restored yet? "My guess right now is they're still trying, to a certain extent, to determine what happened," said Alex Cox, principal research analyst at NetWitness, which sells network-monitoring appliances. "When you talk intrusion analysis and breach analysis, it's a pretty specialized skill set and typically one that companies don't have internally. Because hopefully, it's infrequent enough that people don't need to have their own internal teams. But the fact that Sony is bringing in outside help tells me that they don't have the staffing."

Weak authentication leaves your organization open to sophisticated hackers.Implement strong security that is easy to use.

As a result, the new teams will take time to come up to speed on the systems, to then deduce what happened. "Forensics work, you can look at it as a crime scene investigation from a computer security standpoint," he said in an interview. "You're looking for clues that get you from point to point, so you hopefully have a solid understanding of the how/what/where/when/why of the intrusion."

The scale of the compromised data may also slow analysis and recovery efforts, and Sony has said that at least 10 servers were compromised. "That certainly does complicate the forensic process, because you have to look at all these systems ... and you need to have a very solid understanding of how the technology works," said Cox. "A lot of times when this happens, you find out that the company that implemented this solution didn't have a 100% understanding of all the complexities of the system."

Poor preparedness may also have played a part in the Sony--as well as Epsilon--breaches, according to Eugene Spafford, a professor at Purdue University who's also the executive director of its Center For Education and Research in Information Assurance and Security (CERIAS). "Presumably, both companies are large enough that they could have afforded to spend an appropriate amount on security and privacy protections of their data; I have no information about what protections they had in place, although some news reports indicate that Sony was running software that was badly out of date, and had been warned about that risk," he said on Wednesday to a House Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade hearing into the Sony data breach.

Sony declined to testify at that hearing. Instead, the head of Sony Computer Entertainment, Kaz Hirai, sent a letter with written responses to legislators' questions, in which he suggested that coordinated attacks had been used to disguise the breach. According to Hirai, "this cyber-attack came shortly after Sony Computer Entertainment America was the subject of denial of service attacks launched against several Sony companies and threats made against both Sony and its executives in retaliation for enforcing intellectual property rights in U.S. federal court."

Sony has also suggested that the collective known as Anonymous was behind the attacks, since forensic investigators discovered a file on Sony's servers, named "anonymous," that included a fragment of the collective's slogan.

But the collective disavowed all knowledge of the breach, saying in a statement that stealing credit card data isn't its style. "Whoever broke into Sony's servers to steal the credit card info and left a document blaming Anonymous clearly wanted Anonymous to be blamed for the most significant digital theft in history," said a statement from the collective. "No one who is actually associated with our movement would do something that would prompt a massive law enforcement response." Instead, the group suggested that online thieves had left the file as subterfuge.

One positive piece of information revealed by Sony is that, so far, none of the compromised credit card data has been used by attackers. Furthermore, the scale of credit card loss, while large, isn't as bad as first expected. According to Hirai's letter, "globally, approximately 12.3 million account holders had credit card information on file on the PlayStation Network system. In the United States, approximately 5.6 million account holders had credit card information on file on the system. These numbers include active and expired credit cards."

But Sony declined to fully reveal detail how the breach occurred. "We are reluctant to make full details publicly available because the information is the subject of an ongoing criminal investigation and also the information could be used to exploit vulnerabilities in systems other than Sony's that have similar architecture to the PlayStation Network," said Hirai.

In response to legislators' question about whether Sony would be offering credit monitoring services for customers whose information was stolen, Hirai said that instead, Sony will instead offer a "welcome back" package with 30 days of free service.

But will customers return?

ANALYSIS - Watch Out ARM: Here Comes Intel

(Reuters) - Intel's latest manufacturing breakthrough sends a clear warning to rival ARM Holdings not to get too complacent with its overwhelming lead in the red-hot mobile arena.

But although hailed by Intel as an unprecedented advance in performance and power reduction, its new three-dimensional chip process hardly ensures it can make headway in a market lorded over by its British rival.

"This gives Intel a big advantage over the ARM ecosystem but they have to serve up the right products to capitalize on it," said Real World Technologies analyst David Kanter. "Intel has to do more to develop its ecosystem because it's swimming against the tide."

Before Intel unveiled the technology Wednesday, ARM's London-traded shares slid more than 7 percent on fears the Cambridge-based firm would lose some of its comfortable lead, although they rebounded 1.6 percent in the following session.

Intel has the most advanced semiconductor manufacturing technology in the world. For decades it has used that lead to make high-performance processors for PCs, and only just begun to turn that advantage toward making smaller and more efficient chips for a new crop of powerful mobile devices.

Its newest breakthrough is a reflection of Intel's ages-old strategy of investing heavily to stay ahead of competitors.

The new "Tri-Gate" technology flips flat chip design on its side -- thereby making it "3D" -- an approach considered but not yet implemented by Intel rivals like Samsung, GlobalFoundries, and Taiwan's TSMC.

Importantly, it allows Intel to keep doubling the number of transistors on a chip every two years -- the so-called Moore's Law that underpins the company's success.

To challenge ARM and get into the mobile space, Tri-Gate is a step in the right direction. Intel claims it delivers as much as a 37 percent jump in performance while consuming less electricity -- a key selling point for its rival.

The first 22 nanometer "Ivy Bridge" chips to roll out of Intel's plants this year will be aimed at PCs, with its "Atom" mobile processors following further down the road.

"If they can get timing right, and execution, there's a possibility to make inroads," Kanter said. "But then there's the software and you have to have the right hardware and peripherals."

SHARES SHUNNED FOR MONTHS

ARM's power-sipping architecture is used by Qualcomm, Texas Instruments, Nvidia and Samsung in processors in tablets and smartphones.

Its chips are the industry standard for Apple's mobile gadgets and other devices running Google's Android operating system, a trend Intel will find increasingly difficult to reverse as time goes on.

Even longtime Intel ally Microsoft bowed to market pressures, announcing in January it would make its Windows software compatible with ARM designs -- an admission that computing was moving away from the desktop.

For months, investors have shunned shares of Intel, now trading at just 10 times expected annual earnings, on fears PCs will be replaced by tablets as consumers' preferred gadgets. But some still argue the stock is oversold.

"They at least deserve some nod that they could enter that market," said Pat Becker Jr, a principal at Becker Capital Management in Portland who owns stock in Intel.

Some industry experts say ARM better watch out. Intel, with deep pockets to pay for research and development, may yet become a serious competitor in mobile devices as it continues to adjust its thrust toward energy-efficient processors.

Its new manufacturing technology is estimated to be between one and three years ahead of competitors like TSMC.

Intel, whose core business is making processors for PCs, recently boosted its capital spending plan for 2011 to $10.2 billion from $9 billion to create more capacity at its cutting-edge plants, which should help it start using its best technology to make mobile chips sooner.

Executive Vice President Dadi Perlmutter acknowledged to reporters on Wednesday that improved manufacturing is only one of many factors Intel must address to compete in mobile chips.

Operating systems and other software, as well as hardware like touchscreens and sensors, would have to be made compatible with Intel chips before manufacturers become willing to gamble on them for their top-of-the-line tablets and smartphones.

"The competition is moving extremely fast so Intel's announcement doesn't guarantee anything," said Davenport analyst Drake Johnstone. "Once they get out the Atom processor for tablets and smartphones, it is competitive and they can make some inroads. But it's not a sure thing."

Source Link:- http://in.reuters.com/

Apple Updates iMac With Inte & AMD Chips

SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) — Apple Inc. on Tuesday unveiled a new version of its iMac desktop computer that features the technologies of the world’s top makers of PC chips, including a faster connection system developed by Intel Corp.

The Apple AAPL -0.07%   announcement was seen as giving Intel INTC +0.17%   and Advanced Micro Devices Inc. AMD +0.23%   a boost in light of questions about the health of the PC market and their competitive positions in the fast-growing mobile-computing arena.

The news also followed Apple’s decision to use Intel and AMD products for its MacBook Pro notebooks.

Apple shares rose a fraction to close at $348.20, while those of Intel gained 1.4% to close at $23.23 and rank among the top Dow industrials gainers. AMD slid 2.6% to close at $8.80.

Apple said it has updated its all-in-one iMac with the latest version of Intel Core chips, code named Sandy Bridge, and a new connection technology, called Thunderbolt.

Intel had said that Thunderbolt can support high-speed data transfer and high-definition display on a single cable, making it possible to transfer a full-length, high-definition movie in less than 30 seconds.

Apple said the new iMac is the first desktop computer to include the new technology.

Apple is also using AMD’s new Radeon high-definition graphics processors.

“It’s positive for both vendors,” Sterne Agee analyst Shaw Wu said.

The news also highlights the strength of Intel’s new processor, which Wu said apparently has helped Apple’s MacBook Pro notebook sales, and could also give the company’s desktop sales a lift.

Apple’s embrace of Sandy Bridge comes at a critical time for Intel, which is also pushing to expand its presence in the market for smartphones and tablets, a space dominated by chips based on the technology of Cambridge, England–based ARM Holdings ARMH -0.69%  .

Intel is banking on its Atom chip and its manufacturing technology to catch up. But in a note, Bernstein Research analyst Stacy Rasgon said Intel “faces an uphill battle in their efforts to drive Atom into applications outside the PC market.”

Of AMD, Rasgon said the ongoing leadership uncertainty, following ex–Chief Executive Dirk Meyer’s sudden departure, remains a major issue.

But Rasgon said AMD’s recent restructuring, highlighted by the spinoff of its manufacturing operations into GlobalFoundries, has improved the company’s outlook.

“While still risky and somewhat speculative, we believe the structural changes inherent in the foundry deconsolidation are unappreciated, yielding a product company that will likely be both profitable and free-cash-flow positive, and possess a significantly improved balance sheet,” Rasgon wrote.

Source Link:- http://www.marketwatch.com

Apple Updates iMac With Inte &  AMD Chips 

Apple Updates iMac With Inte &  AMD Chips 

Apple Updates iMac With Inte &  AMD Chips 

Apple Updates iMac With Inte &  AMD Chips 

Apple Updates iMac With Inte &  AMD Chips 

Apple Updates iMac With Inte &  AMD Chips 

Apple Updates iMac With Inte &  AMD Chips 

Supermicro Extends Power Supply Family

The power supply offers improved space savings for embedded applications and is suited for 1U short-depth industrial PCs. Super Micro Computer, a provider of server technology and green computing, introduced its latest power supply technology: a short-depth, redundant power module option for its SuperServers, the PWS-406P-1R. This 1U 400W supply module conforms to Energy Star Server 2.0 specifications and has SuperCompact dimensions of 8.66 inches by 2.15 inches by 1U height.

The new power supply offers improved space savings for embedded applications and is suited for 1U short-depth industrial PCs. In situations requiring high availability such as mission-critical and high-density server computing, it provides redundancy where space and thermal limitations present a challenge.

Like all Supermicro power supplies, the improved overall power efficiency is designed to reduce energy consumption and total cost of ownership (TCO). The PWS-406P-1R power supply provides an enhanced power factor and 93 percent efficiency, superior to 80PLUS Gold-level performance. The company said this helps to minimize infrastructural and uninterruptable power supply (UPS) costs, and reduces total volt-ampere (VA) and watt requirements.

"Our power supply engineering division constantly pushes the envelope of advanced power design and brings our technologies to manufacturability," said Charles Liang, president and CEO of Supermicro. "Our product innovations provide Supermicro customers with impressive efficiency gains and highly reliable, redundant supply modules in SuperCompact form factors."

Super-micro power modules are also designed to provide the flexibility of remote and local management for real-time monitoring and controlling. The power supply also features PMbus 1.2, SMBAlert and configurable PWS fan speed, and it supports node management and PMbus requirements for the latest processors such as the Intel Xeon E3-1200.

Taking advantage of the newest SuperCompact Power Modules, Supermicro is releasing its next generation X9 SuperServer products as well. The SYS-5017C-MTRF server is based on the X9SCL-F ATX motherboard providing redundant hot-swappable supplies in a 1U rack-mount enclosure. The company said this server is ideal for IPC and embedded systems as well as a host of other scalable computing applications.

The company also launched the latest addition to their embedded server building block solutions. This new generation of product is optimized with the Intel 2nd generation Core product family and Intel QM67 Express Chipsets. Supermicro's X9 embedded solution delivers 25 percent higher performance (four cores and eight threads per node) while lowering power consumption over the previous generation.

The compact platform provides PCI-E 2.0 x16 support and power savings capabilities as well as remote management, security and a DC power option. It offers high CPU and graphics performance in a mini-ITX form factor, making it ideal for embedded applications such as multidisplay digital signage, multichannel digital surveillance, expandable I/O industrial control and long-life medical instrumentation.

"At Supermicro, we continuously innovate alongside advancing CPU and chipset technologies," said Wally Liaw, Supermicro's vice president of international sales. "Our embedded customers benefit from our higher-efficiency, higher-performance mobile processor-based solutions in the latest compact form factors while further reducing their overall TCO."

Source Link:- http://www.eweek.com

Toshiba Toughens Up Latest Business Notebook

In the face of rapidly growing demand for tablets, Toshiba has launched a trio of business notebooks stressing their thin and light designs. And while the new Tecra and Portégé models aren't ruggedness, the company is also emphasizing features that will help them withstand the trials of everyday use.

Toshiba's latest notebooks are aimed squarely at the business market. "This new range is all about providing the latest Toshiba notebook technology that will stand-up to the business mobility test," said product marketing manager Matt Tumminello.

The Tecra R850 features a 15.6in display with LED backlighting, DisplayPort, and up to 10 hour battery life. The new high stiffness resin casing helps protect the internal components. Prices range from $1485 to $3300.

The Tecra R840 has a 14in screen and gives up to 12 hours battery life. It shares the resin case material used in the R850.   Depending on specification, it is priced between $1650 and $3300.  Looking for something a little smaller? Then please read on.

The Portégé R830 varies in thickness from 18.3 to 26.6mm and weighs between 1.4 and 1.5kg thanks to a magnesium casing using a honeycomb rib internal design. Wi-Fi and 3G reception is improved by the provision of a radio-transparent window in the lid.  With a 13.3in display and up to 12 hour battery life, the R830 is priced between 1896 and $4400.

All these models are available with Core i7 CPUs, embedded 3G mobile broadband, HDMI, and USB 3.0. They also include AMT 7.0 support for remote management, trouble-shooting and recovery. The R840 and R850 can drive up to four screens.  

Toshiba Toughens Up Latest Business Notebook

Toshiba Toughens Up Latest Business Notebook

Toshiba Toughens Up Latest Business Notebook

Toshiba Toughens Up Latest Business Notebook


Toshiba Toughens Up Latest Business Notebook

Toshiba Toughens Up Latest Business Notebook

Cisco Introduces New Data Centre Technology

Networking company, Cisco technologies has announced the introduction of technology innovations across its entire Data Center Business Advantage portfolio.

This include its Cisco Nexus 7000 family, Nexus 5000 family, Nexus 3000, a new ultra-low latency platform, MDS storage switches, Unified Computing System, Data Center Network Manager (DCNM) and NX-OS.

CISCO said the new technology innovation will simplify and accelerate virtualization for Cloud-Ready Architectures and that it intends to continues the integration of Unified Fabric, Unified Computing, and Unified 

Network Services into a holistic data center fabric designed to be simple, scalable and secure, delivering any application across any location, within the data center and to the cloud. The Cisco data center fabric enables converged network management and ‘wire-once’ agility from the server to the storage array for both physical and virtualized environments.

Source Link:- 

With these additions, Cisco also said that it will further enhance the industry’s innovative standards-based data center portfolio, and will also allow multiple data centers and cloud services to be connected across a common intelligent fabric, delivering architectural flexibility, investment protection and operational simplicity.

Through this latest advances with data center fabric convergence, it plans to create an end-to-end view of the virtualized data center network down to the virtual machine, helping to provide lower total cost of ownership, reduced complexity, better workload management and security in the cloud. Cisco fabric extender technology (FEX) enables customers to build a single, modular fabric that extends from Cisco Nexus switches to Cisco Unified Computing System servers to adapters and to virtual machines.

Altair HyperWorks Technology Conference Keynote, Workshop Sessions Will Focus on Aerospace Innovation

As Altair Engineering, Inc., a leading global provider of simulation technology and engineering services, prepares for its 2011 Americas HyperWorks Technology Conference (HTC2011), the company has announced that anticipated keynote speeches will focus on aerospace, sustainability and virtual engineering, while workshop agendas will address critical issues and technological developments influencing the advanced-manufacturing community.

To be held at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress in Orlando, Fla., June 22-23, HTC2011 will center on product lifecycle management (PLM) technology and its effects across a variety of advanced-manufacturing sectors, with particular focus on the aerospace industry. Robert Lightfoot, Jr., director of the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, will deliver the first keynote. He will address the challenges the Marshall Center faces and the ways it is seeking innovation to reposition itself for the future.

“The American aerospace industry is a leader in innovation, and it’s always been one of the economy’s strongest sectors,” said Lightfoot. “Given current domestic priorities and foreign competition, NASA and others in the industry are called upon to accept the challenge to adapt and change the way we do business.”

At HTC2011, members of the Altair executive team will lead several aerospace-focused workshops, sharing the company’s strides to inject innovative technology into the simulation, optimization and analysis of both commercial and military aircraft. Representatives from Boeing, Bombardier Aerospace, the National Institute for Aviation Research, and Sikorsky also will be on hand to present insights on the results their organizations have achieved with PLM technology.

“The opportunity to gather aerospace professionals of this caliber under one roof for HTC2011 provides attendees with rare access to the latest in industry thought leadership,” said Robert Yancey, Altair executive director of global aerospace. “We are eagerly anticipating the knowledge sharing that will take place at the event.”

John Viera, Ford Motor Company director of sustainability, and Kent Day, engineering team technical director for Richard Childress Racing, also will present keynote speeches during the conference. Viera will discuss product sustainability from an automotive perspective, and Day will recount his experiences regarding implementation of virtual engineering in the NASCAR racing environment, which was aided by the use and integration of a broad suite of simulation tools, including Altair’s HyperWorks software.

At HTC2011, Altair also will introduce attendees to HyperWorks 11.0, the latest version of its suite of CAE solutions. A pre-conference training session, to be held on Tuesday, June 21, will focus on the software’s new features, including the incorporation of recently acquired high-fidelity CFD solver AcuSolve™. AcuSolve integrates with Altair’s RADIOSS solver and its OptiStruct and HyperStudy optimization tools, increasing Altair’s offerings in CFD and multi-physics optimization.

HTC2011 is Altair’s premier annual event and is free for all attendees. The two-day conference will offer sessions on advancements in the areas of simulation-driven design practices, design optimization, data management, process automation and decision-support systems.

About Altair
Altair Engineering, Inc. empowers client innovation and decision-making through technology that optimizes the analysis, management and visualization of business and engineering information. Privately held, with more than 1,400 employees, Altair has offices throughout North America, South America, Europe and Asia/Pacific. With a 25-year track record for high-end software and consulting services for engineering, computing and enterprise analytics, Altair consistently delivers a competitive advantage to customers in a broad range of industries.

Source Link:- http://www.iewy.com/25122

Cloud Computing On The Top Of Latest Technologies 2011

Cloud computing is a technology that uses the internet and central remote servers to maintain data and applications. Cloud computing allows consumers and businesses to use applications without installation and access their personal files any computer with internet access. This technology allows for much more efficient computing by centralizing storage, memory, processing and bandwidth.

“The fact that cloud computing is scalable and elastic, self-service, multitenant and is a metered usage based data resource centre makes it very interesting for seasonal businesses, because they can add and remove capacity as per requirement”, said Atilla Szenvedi.

As an example, he explained how the e-filing system of the Mauritius Revenue Authority can benefit from additional capacities to process the tax forms during peak time if it were to use the services of cloud computing.

Understanding how cloud computing works is simple: it implies using the Internet, accessing information from a distant server without actually having the software. As a result, the usage of cloud computing is very economical, explained Atilla Szenvedi. It is thus possible to use the service completely without having to invest in the equipment, software and competencies. It is a technological revolution, an extension of the virtualization concept to use the physical capacities of the machine efficiently.

Hence, cloud computing increases capacity without having to invest in new infrastructures, training new people or getting new software. It makes it easier for users to have access to all computer services without having to deal with the details of how it really works. A typical example of cloud computing is Yahoo email or Gmail. The user does not need a software or a server to use them. All a consumer needs is internet connection and he can start sending emails. The server and email management software is all on the cloud (internet) and is totally managed by the cloud service provider Yahoo, Google etc. The consumer gets to use the software alone and enjoy the benefits.

Atilla Szenvedi adds that cloud computing relates to the philosophy of Microsoft which is to: “to give people tools to do business and achieve efficiency”.

As far as private cloud computing is concerned, there are three different ways to have access to it: the server is either used on the site of the private enterprise, or by a local partner or through a global data centre. In Mauritius, Microsoft works in collaboration with Mauritius Telecom to offer the service of cloud computing to its clients.  The challenges of this new technological service are numerous, said Atilla Szenvedi.

“Geolocation of data, limitation of bandwidth and infrastructure reliability are the challenges to overcome”, he added. In fact, there are organisations which have legal constraints to restrict the information within the organisation, such as banks.

“We, at Microsoft, want to give people the tools and the technologies to realise their potentials. For this, we invest $9.6 billion in Research and Development,” he said.

Source Link:- http://www.defimedia.info/articles/3560/1/Technology-news-Cloud-computing-on-the-top-of-latest-technologies-2011/Page1.html

Patch's Social Network Expands with New App

 

We try not to toot our own horn too much at Patch, but this one’s too good to keep to ourselves. We knew the technology elves at Patch HQ were busily working on something neat, but last Thursday their invention came to light: introducing the Patch app for the iPhone. You can now take Patch everywhere. The app is in Apple’s App Store and features a variety of ways for you to stay connected and keep up-to-date about what’s going on in the community.

For starters, the app will consist of all the things you get on the daily Upper Dublin Patch site, including community news, weather, local business listings and events in the area. You can read the latest articles on local events, the best place to grab lunch, features about people in town and stay hip with arts and entertainment information.

You can also share your voice by commenting on stories, uploading your photos and business listings. For example, having a great meal at a local restaurant? Upload a picture of the main course to that restaurant's directory listing. Did you snap a few photos at the community street fair? Upload them to our stories about the festivities.

You can also use the app to share your favorite stories and/or business listings on Facebook or via e-mail.

Also, you can save events to your iPhone calendar in just seconds!

The new app also allows you to switch easily to neighboring Patches that interest you. UpperMoreland Patch, Abington Patch, and others are just a fingertip away.

We don't have an Android app yet, but developers say that's coming soon.

Download the app today using this link, and if you have any feedback, please send it to mobile_thoughts@patch.com.

Got something to say? Get it on the front page.

We've been up and running for a little less than four months, and it's been exciting to see so many local residents visit the site, join our Facebook page, follow our Twitter feed, and use the site's own tools to post announcements and events. We've especially enjoyed the hundreds of comments we've received on various articles.

There's another way to get involved. All readers are invited to write letters to the editor about issues of concern in the community.

All submissions should include your full name, address and telephone number for verification purposes. Send them to Kyle@Patch.com with the subject line "letter to the editor" or "guest column." You may, if you wish, include relevant photographs with your message. Letters may be edited for grammar and spelling, but no other changes will be made.

The more this Patch site serves as a space for community dialogue, the more useful it will be. The next time something that happens in the Upper Dublin area bothers you, excites you, inspires you, or just makes you think, consider taking a moment to send us a letter.

Eco-friendly technology: The latest finds

Eco-friendly technology: The latest finds

Let’s be honest: Americans love their gadgets. Smartphones, computer tablets, music players, video players, hand-held gaming gizmos, whatever.

Happily, gadgets increasingly come is various shades of green – designed to use less electricity and produce less hazardous waste, manufactured using more recycled materials and less energy. Oh, and they’re still cool.

Here's a sampling of eco-friendly gadgets and gizmos:

Clean airThe newest edition of the MacBook Air – Apple’s ultra-thin, ultra-light laptop – uses 27 percent less power than the original MacBook Air, earning it an ENERGY STAR 5.0 qualification for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The MacBook Air was engineered to use far fewer hazardous materials that older computers and features arsenic-free display glass, a mercury-free LED display and no polyvinyl chlorides in the cables and power cords.

Laptop with an edgeThe Samsung 13.3-inch 9 Series introduced early this year was awarded the TCO Certified Edge label for it’s eco-friendly features and bright display that provides superior outdoor readability. TCO Development, owned by the Swedish Confederation of Professional Employees, provides certifications for computer and office equipment. The 9 Series laptop weighs less than three pounds and features a 128GB Solid State Drive.

Good callThe Samsung Restore cell phone – available through Sprint June 6 – is the latest in a line of green handsets from Samsung. The outer casing of the full-featured multimedia messaging phone is made from 27 percent post-consumer recycled plastic. The Restore has a full QWERTY keyboard and an Energy Star 2.0 qualified charger.

The Samsung Blue Earth, introduced in 2009, features a solar panel located on the back of the phone.

Motorola touts the MOTO W233 Renew – available through T-Mobile – as the world’s only carbon-neutral cell phone. The plastic phone housing for the Renew is made of recycled water bottles and the phone is printed on 100 percent post-consumer recycled paper. Motorola earns the “carbon-neutral” boast through an alliance with Carbonfund.org. Motorola offsets the carbon dioxide required to manufacture, distribute and operate the phone by putting money in renewable energy sources and reforestation.

The LG Remarq – available through Sprint – is loaded with the Eco Calculator app that calculates reduction of greenhouse gases gained by walking or cycling instead of driving a car. The reduction is calculated in pounds of carbon dioxide or trees planted. The outer casing is made from 19 percent post-consumer recycled plastic.

Charge itBattery life continues to improve, but you’ll still need to charge your gadgets. The IDAPT i1 Eco is a dual charger that can be used at home and in your car. You can charge two gadgets at once and the AutoOff system ensures you don’t vampire electricity when you aren’t charging other gadgets. The charger itself is made of recycled materials. The IDAPT i1 Eco compatible with more than 4,000 gizmos including iPad, iPhone, BlackBerry, Nintendo PSP, XBOX controllers and GPS systems.

Go solar – indoorsThe Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard K750 gives you a long-range wireless connection to your desktop with no worries about ever changing a battery. The keyboard, which is just one-third of an inch thick, has two panels that turn indoor light into go juice. The keyboard can also work in total darkness for up to three months.

Fine Adjustment of Computer Technology

 Fine Adjustment of Computer Technology

Online technology has changed to your computer. Now you might be implemented. Businessman or a student, a news aggregator or defenders of social rights, free of all, start anything. This is a very professional job. It uses interactive computer technology, online computer forums, as you with a full compliment of ordinary PC users, and still succeed. You see one of them, maybe.

If you are a student, I want students better. If you are a businessman, I want better products and services. If you like news, news reports directly from high-speed data traffic and want. If a social activist, a business can ask for help, an effective interactive channel. What are your ambitions should be tailored to the needs of Web 2.0. This will change the performance.

If you are a student, now install the formation of a new platform for the exchange of information and knowledge, such as Web 2.0-based computer and Internet technology can be used. As a student, new things you can learn the most. PC, have more interaction with classmates new computer technology. Furl used features, blogs, podcasts, support for a strong interactive learning. encrypted, for example, and for that purpose Furl need to make the web. If you are working. Can be used to enhance their creativity. ways that are more efficient for them to find their own may be required. I want to become lifelong learners. Is that true? Such as interactive computer technology, it is now possible.

A businessman, a competition to make better use of resources, companies do not computer software. So, if you can, and on-line access to global markets for a. Then the client updates the current state of operation for all activities using interactive Web 2.0 features. Although visitors to the Web 1.0 to get information, more Web 2.0 functionality to update the status of an interactive, real-time. People love, responsibility and reliability. V is the reliability of your business, and that accountability. Today is the competitor’s business niche, and that it uses innovative Web 2.0 technology, computer-support group has made an effort to try. You will also need good support and effective technical support to new computer technology, and find their own way.

If anyone is interested in gathering news, it can be used, in fact, a large audience, topics, and notifications to web-based content distribution lists from Simple Syndication (RSS). You can write a film and publishing. You can use video and audio. Instant Presenter Elluminate webcasting and podcasting, so little research on different instruments needed. Newsgathering and news to share with you that will help achieve.

If anyone is interested in social services and Web 2.0 Social Network, you can create a community of interest.

Today, the world of computer forums online interactive computer games to learn more about how Web 2.0 technologies can learn from last place. Let’s famous personal success.

Visit the forum a good computer computer online most from technical service providers, such as personal computer users to work online using a special technical team to assist, how web 2.0 technologies, online. Remote online technical support as part of this innovation is to repair. You need a new way to make not your own.

No matter what kind of dreams Today in the vicinity of a number of steps for their implementation, interactive Web 2.0 opportunities. This may be personal and professional ambitions.
What really adds value to information technology forum

If you think your PC is equipped with a personal and technical control, you can arrange in advance. Can be performed significantly better in an online forum of information technology. Who along with a full 365 days and nights at all hours, 7 days a week, one year in complex class free online university cluster you add to this forum, so you can use your computer to update your PC in a difficult situation, understand strength accordingly.

Does the PC, people who qualify, the question will soon be developing materials used in the station. Then of course you can get a lot of friends and family. If all family members, while almost no experience with computers has a problem, so that information technology experience, try to create a page. One can not secure such information may delay the forum new computer technology. People like you who just discovered that the PC is required, if a computer expert in a number of different activities going well.

If the problem when the computer is a lot of people directly to a new computer, not a serious problem. Perfect solution to this problem, Weil. Similarly, the creation of individual PCs, and even fewer people who know computers well, a new strategy. As you know, when it found a wider audience to love the cover Pc. These results add data as a warning, if possible, it is to go to the forum.

that this type of online computer forums IT skills and the visitors with different services, accurate information about their own strategy for a new computer. good idea, computer restart I found a computer that performed the various forums they are metabolized by the response of the computer.

can lead to greater employment in the computer, you will surely find their own way, as if someone has access to the full dignity of a free online forum for computer, this option not only be a good substitute. In this case, individuals often must understand the sequel. If you personally are not so often used in the production of existing resources in an online forum that should be carefully monitored and Information. This is a personal computer, strong man like him or how to win.

Type of information technology, they generally only seek their own ideas on the computer, like all students to participate in the forums, they have, in fact new computer technology. This is the kind of IT professionals in a way that makes sense to get a new computer, or using a computer, everything worked, a lot of practice. Besides being used in a reasonable condition for a patent for the PC. Students especially for you, as a practical-minded, to a new PC that you use are effective, that almost all the needs of others, but you do not want to continue to work properly, the results of the forum this type of information is the obvious choice.

Gazette should be a function of the initial deposit. Some well-known online computer forums for specific information on growth, although the correction. 24x7x365 free online forum for that value, and evaluate the best of all I want people to save to your computer as you can be sent to say that all have additional access rights that are very good computer history timeline.

Information forums are generally a big man with a personal computer, and particular care is the new strategy is really good. This is a big problem with this method is to use a computer. The person so you can add the appropriate information technology, and a good part of online forums is that the Morph.

CyberPower Gamer Xtreme XE Gaming PC

Introduction

Overclocked processor, flagship graphics card, performance case, latest technology; these are characteristics of a computer built from a high-end boutique builder and normally come with a boutique builder price. Would you believe this system costs less than 1600 Dollars?

Interesting things happen when you spend time with a small group of people for a couple of days. It doesn't take long for the normal chit chat to dry up and you get to really know a person, at least as much as they let you know in three days. At Quakecon this past year I spent a great deal of time with a member of CyberPower's technical marketing group. By the time Day 2 was wrapping up and a couple of beverages had passed, the topic of todays gamer popped up. Since we were surrounded by "Real Gamers" and not industry types, we took the opportunity to explore the topic and really observe where the market is at.

To me, and to CyberPower a "Real Gamer" is a person that doesn't get briefed every time a new piece of hardware is ready to be launched and upgrades their system based on a need to gain better performance, not just to add another line to their forum signature. Most reviewers and industry folks have long been removed from this lifestyle and have moved well past the enthusiast stage. At that point it is good to take a step back now and then to see who we are really working for; you, the real gamer.

CyberPower understands the real gamer and has made a name for itself catering to the price vs. performance, bang for the buck crowd. I left Quakecon with a real understanding of what CyberPower has accomplished and what they are trying to do for the collage kid looking to actually play games and not worry about a 3DMark score.

Today we are going to look at one of CyberPower's more popular products for gamers that fit the description of a real gamer. The Gamer Xtreme XE provides enough power to play the latest games, including Crysis, with high detail and high frame rates while keeping the price far below what you would expect to spend on such a performer. 

Specifications, Pricing and Availability

Enthusiasts will be shocked to learn that not every component in a system has to be a flagship component to achieve premium results. The CyberPower Gamer Xtreme XE, like all of CyberPower's systems is fully customizable in the ordering stage. CyberPower's website is easy to navigate and changing components in a system build is quite easy. Let's have a look at the Gamer Xtreme XE configuration in the default state and now it was shipped to us.

 Processor: Intel E8500 overclocked to 3.9
Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-EP45T-DS3R Memory: Kingston KHX12800D3K2 1GBx2
Graphics Card: ATI Radeon 4870X2
Power Supply: Corsair TX650W
Hard Disk: Hitachi HDP725050GLA360 500GB X2 (RAID 0)
Optical Disk 1: Sony BR-5100S 2X Blu-ray Reader
Optical Disk 2: Sony 20x DVD RW
Chassis: Cooler Master 590 Centurion
Cooling: Asetek CPU Liquid Cooling, 4x 120mm Blue LED Fans
Card Reader: 12-in-1 2.5 inch card reader
Input Devices: Logitech EX 110 Wireless Mouse and Keyboard Set
Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium (32-bit loaded, 64-bit disk included)
Additional Accessories: CyberPower T-Shirt, CyberPower Accessory Bag (notebook bag)

Looking at the specifications, I see a couple of places where flagship components were replaced with more than capable products that allow for more bang while keeping some bucks in your bank account.

By using a dual-core processor and overclocking it with the aid of a liquid cooling system, a great deal of value was gained while losing little in the real world performance. Very few games (or software for that matter) can take advantage of today's quad-core processors in a single activity environment. The inclusion of the P45 to the system further lowered the overall cost over an X48 and performance between the two chipsets is nearly equal. For most users 2GB is more than adequate for daily use.

When it comes to components that matter to a gamer, CyberPower led with the Radeon 4870X2, the current king of the FPS mountain. One area where many system builders like to cut corners is with power. CyberPower didn't follow suit and used the Corsair 650 watt PSU. I have seen one of these PSUs power a dual processor workstation running SLi, so the system definitely has power in reserve if needed.

The rest of the components follow the price vs. performance pattern. Nothing stands out as a poor product and to be fair everything is well above average when it comes to quality and performance. A good example is the combination Sony Blu-ray reader paired with a Sony DVD reader/writer and RAID 0 hard drives. It would have been easy to omit the Blu-ray reader or just include a 1TB drive, but a majority of gamers watch movies on their computer and a significant performance gain is achieved by using two drives in RAID.

It is important to remember that while we are dissecting the build list, every system that ships from CyberPower is fully configurable. If the purchaser wishes to have a quad-core processor, the option is just a check box away. The same is true for every component in the system, from the motherboard all the way down to the cooling and case used.

The CyberPower Gamer Xtreme came to us with an invoice price of 1599 USD. I was surprised to find that once shipping charges were calculated I couldn't build a system with the exact same components for less money than CyberPower charges for their Gamer Xtreme XE.

The Gamer Xtreme took around two weeks after the order was turned in to its arrival on our doorstep. Most of that time was in the ground shipping where we chose to save a couple of extra Dollars. CyberPower offers upgraded shipping through UPS, but in many cases shipping is free when using the ground option. CyberPower also has a couple of system configurations that ship out the same day the system is ordered.

The CyberPower Gamer Xtreme XE - Exterior

CyberPower chose the Cooler Master Centurion 590 chassis as their base for the Gamer Xtreme line. As far as I can tell, this was the best possible choice given the market at this time. The 590 offers lots of room for expansion while keeping initial costs low. CyberPower tweaked the chassis a little by adding their logo tastefully to the front.

The GIGABYTE motherboard has lots of onboard options, so there wasn't much for CyberPower to add besides the graphics card. And oh what a card it is.

Here we see the vast resources on the back of the motherboard. Eight USB 2.0 ports dominate the view whilst we also have both connector types of FireWire as well as optical and coaxial S/PDIF, two Gigabit Ethernet ports and analog audio which has enough ins and outs to satisfy any audiophile.

The left side panel offers room to mount 80-120mm fans in two places. The system uses watercooling, so not a lot of air cooling is needed with this system. For that reason, CyberPower left these fan holes blank. It should be noted, however, that the Cooler Master Centurion 590 can house eight 120mm fans.

There isn't much going on with the right side of the case. The 590 does allow a single 80mm case fan to be mounted that blows air across the back side of the motherboard. Once again, the processor is watercooled so CyberPower didn't need to take advantage of this feature.

The front panel has several connectors including two USB and a single FireWire connector. CyberPower chose Sony for optical disk duty. The Gamer Xtreme XE uses a DVD-RW with Lightspeed Technology and a Sony Blu-ray reader. For many users, a Blu-ray drive is like sprinkles on a cake, but for many college students looking to condense their media capabilities with a PC, this is a nice little addition.

CyberPower also included a card reader on their Gamer Xtreme XE. With most of today's phones, cameras and other devices making use of flash technology, a good multi-use card reader is nearly essential. 

The CyberPower Gamer Xtreme XE - Internals

 The Corsair TX650W is a great power supply, but it lacks the ability to unplug unused cables since it is not modular. CyberPower has done a good job bundling the cables to reduce case clutter, but I would have liked to have seen a modular PSU used to further eliminate unused cables.

When it comes to cooling, CyberPower has outfitted the Centurion 590 with three 120mm blue LED fans, one bringing fresh air in and two expelling the warmer air. The CPU is cooled with an Asetek closed loop watercooling unit that dispels processor heat through an additional 120mm fan on the back of the case.

The CyberPower Gamer Xtreme XE uses two 500 GB hard drives in RAID 0. Here we see that the cables for these drives are tucked away.

We see the same bundling at the top of the system where the DVD, Blu-ray and card reader is located.

Here we see two of the 120mm fans mounted at the top of the case and the closed loop watercooling unit.

As you can see, CyberPower used Kingston memory for this system. Kingston memory is used by many system builders due to their low return rate. A few years ago I visited one of the largest system builders and was told that nearly all returns were a result in faulty memory. It is nice to see that CyberPower choose memory from a company that has such a low return rate.

The Gamer Xtreme XE is obviously a system build for gamers and the ATI Radeon 4870 X2is the fastest gaming graphics card on the market. When it comes to price vs. performance, bang for the buck, the 4870 X2isn't too bad in this area either, even though it is the fastest card on the market.

The back side of the case hides many of the cables from the Corsair power supply. Out of sight, out of mind; but when you need extra connectors, they are there to make component expansion possible.