Saturday News

Posted on Saturday, June 28 2003 @ 8:10 CEST by Thomas De Maesschalck

Lamps Electronics Blue Spiral Fan Grill Review
Just about any modded case these days has some form of lighting. It's generally either CCFL's, or LED's perhaps for primary lighting. While custom laser cut fan grills are still popular, CCFL fan lighting seems to be gaining popularity still. While I don't think CCFL grill lighting will take over the fan grill industry because of the thickness, and perhaps the delicacy of them, but they are particularly great at lighting up the interior of your case. Here we look at another release from Lamps Electronics, the blue 80mm spiral CCFL grill.


Review Link : E-T


Thermaltake Xaser Edition Silent Purepower 480W PSU
One thing that is common to all computers is power. Whether it is a PC or a Mac, running an almost infinitesimal selection of hardware, it still needs power. With that in mind we should consider the quality of power we are feeding our machines. Weak or budget power-supplies can cause many problems including instability and even hardware damage. It is always a smart idea to spend the little more and purchase a high quality power-supply rather than save a few dollars and get a budget one. Otherwise, this usually ends up coming back to haunt you down the road.
Review Link : EnvyNews


How to turn that tatty drive into something worth showing
A very good friend of mine sprays and repairs cars for a living. After quizzing him for several hours and a few pints later he divulged some of the trade secrets to me. So in the spirit of secrecy I have published them here.... oops.


Review Link : The Mod Fathers


Cooler Master Aero 7+ Cooler (Socket 462) Video Review
The Cooler Master Aero 7+ Cooler has a very unique design and a fan that directs air to the center of the heatsink allowing for maximum cooling. It also has a thick, smooth copper base with fins that are machined from the same copper block. It's easy to install and remove and the fan speed is adjustable. The Watch the Video to find out more
Review Link : 3dGameMan


AOpen A600 Case Review
I also would like to iterate that this case comes with a 350W PSU and has a very big open window: two things that some cases around do not come standard with. At the time of this review, this case was listed on newegg.com for US$118. Now when you compare the PSU and nice window on the AOpen A600 to some of the other cases in this price range, I don't think you will find too many with those two features
Review Link : Legitreviews


ATI All-In-Wonder 9000 Pro
Quality is something often overlooked by many people, but quality is very important, especially in a video card that you will be looking at quite alot. The 2D quality of the card was very good, besting most of the other cards I have tested so far, including a Radeon 8500LE and the GeForce 4 MX 440. 3D quality without any antialiasing or ansiotropic filtering is very nice
Review Link : Viper's Lair


PC Toys System Maxx Multi-Function Panel
The PC Toys System Maxx Multi-function Panel simplifies a few tasks with one great looking device. It provides fan speed control, monitors up to three temperature sensors, and provides up-front USB 2.0 / Firewire connections all in one 5.25" drive bay... Although the device has many positive things to be said about it, it is not perfect... Please read on to see if it is right for you!


Review Link : I am nog a Geek


Gigacube GC-R9600Pro-C3 128MB graphic card
The benchmarks speak louder than words; R9600Pro at stock is no match for the R9500Pro. At its maximum clocking, 472C/606M, Gigacube's R9600Pro only performs on par with a stock R9500Pro. ATi has done a good job on segmenting the market with the R9600Pro. The difference between R9800 and R9600 series are more visible than R9700 and R9500 series.
Review Link : OCNZ


EluminX Sapphire Blue Keyboard Review
Let's face it, we have said it before and we'll say it again...Blue is in. Computing Hardware with Blue Lighting or LED's is much more visually appealing and gives them that high tech look we love. We are easily attracted to such devices and many companies are featuring new products that make use of them. Auravision has incorporated blue lighting in a way that is both appealing as well as practical with their highly popular Eluminx Keyboard. This illuminated keyboard can be used by gamers, for late night computing in dark settings or those looking for the ultimate in high tech computing


Review Link : ExtremeMHz


Albatron FX5600 EQ Video Card Review
Today we take a look at a special card from Albatron called the GeForce FX5600 EQ. What's so special about this card? Well, while other manufactures only offer 128mb versions of the FX5600, Albatron gives you 256mb of screaming fast DDR! Could this be the budget FX5800 that we've all been looking for? We'll soon find out! Here's a clip:

"I fully understand the need to quickly get a card on the market featuring the latest and greatest technology has to offer, but I really question the need for the FX5600 series. With cards like the Ti4800 and even the Ti4200 matching, and in most cases, exceeding the performance of the FX5600, I have a hard time recommending that anyone run right out and purchase one. Especially when the FX5600 EQ lists for about $175 on Price Watch, while the faster Ti4800 SE lists for less. In my opinion, the entire line of FX5600 cards produced by any manufacture is a bad move, especially if the consumer does their homework and realizes that our older cards are still faster in today's games."
Review Link : ClubOC


Steelpad 4S and Cord Holder Review
My 3S has been handed around more LAN parties with people wanting to “lookey-touchy” and what not. Many of the LANs I attend use the 4x8 resin tables. They’re pretty sturdy until you throw a 22” Diamondtron and a tower case full of water. Then there’s an obvious bow in the middle. If you’re the guy on the left hand side and happen to be right handed or vice versa for lefties; your typical foam pads will bend with the table resulting in a warped mouse surface. The Steelpad is a solid piece of aluminum despite the “Steel” in it’s name and will not bend....at all! A word to all LAN party organizers. This is not the type of pad you want to throw out into the crowd as a giveaway, let’s try to restrict people being decapitated to the games?


Review Link : GruntVillE


Painting Your Chassis Guide
Hey folks. Today we will be taking a look at a very personalized mod, sure to be an eye-catcher at your next LAN party. Case painting is one of the easiest (easier, I should say) ways to make your case stand out from the crowd. I was surprised at the lack of articles about case painting on most mod sites because the mod is not at all labor intensive and is guaranteed to get some attention in the end. Anyway, without further ado, I present the Ub3r L33t guide to case painting...


Review Link : TwistedMods


Iceberq 4 Pro VGA Cooling Kit
Graphics cards are becoming much more advanced lately, and all the extra power is creating loads of heat. This can be a big problem with the size, the noise, and the efficiency of the heatsink and fan. This is most noticeable on the latest Geforce FX series which takes up a PCI slot in addition to an AGP slot due to the heatsink's massive size. Thankfully third parties, such as Vantec, are producing alternative coolers for these oh-so-hot cards. Today we will be taking a look at the Vantec Iceberq 4 and Iceberq 4 Pro, and see if they have improved upon some of the problems the Iceberq series has had in the past.


Review Link : The Tech Lounge


Corsair 512 MB XMS2700 Memory Module
As a modder one of the most rewarding feelings you can get is from seeing the expression of approval on the faces of your fellow LAN clan when you bring out your modded rig. Now take that same warm fuzzy feeling you get, flip it 180 degrees and you’ll know the feeling that comes from getting beaten, fragged, and thoroughly OWNED throughout a LAN party simply because you spent your money on LED case fans and cold cathode kits instead of more RAM. Unfortunately PC aesthetics can only get you so far, which in reality isn’t very far at all. When it all comes down to the bottom line all that really matters is performance. That’s why today we’re going to be looking at a 512 module of XMS2700 sent to us from the guys down at Corsair..


Review Link : Tech-Mods



About the Author

Thomas De Maesschalck

Thomas has been messing with computer since early childhood and firmly believes the Internet is the best thing since sliced bread. Enjoys playing with new tech, is fascinated by science, and passionate about financial markets. When not behind a computer, he can be found with running shoes on or lifting heavy weights in the weight room.



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