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Your Ports Demand These Peripherals
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A
s PC enthusiasts, we are almost always looking forward. We have our eyes
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to what our next CPU, graphics card, or mass storage unit might be, and
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iteration of our favorite productivity app downloaded and installed. Customer Service
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look backward; to reminisce about the tech we’ve enjoyed and/or admired the most
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Compiled by Blaine Flamig
H a r dwa r e M o l e
Mice, Mice & More Mice
SSD, Flash Drive No matter where you turn these days there’s seemingly a new, flashy mouse scamper-
& External Drives ing on the scene, including Asus’ puckish, tilting, 2.4GHz WX-DL ($80) with touch-
For The Taking sensitive pad. Elsewhere, there’s the Elecom 800/1,600dpi Bluetooth 3.0 Lazer (about
$52) and
Another month, another batch Tt eSports’
of new storage options for your Azurues optical
consideration, including the gaming mouse
MiniStation Stealth and Drive- (pricing still
Station Axis LED external drives to come) with
from Buffalo Technology. The 4.5 x 400/800/1,600dpi options, “weight-in” design, and black rubber exterior for better
3.03 x 0.55-inch MiniStation comes gripping in FSPs. Really piquing our interest, however, is Roccat Studios’ Kone [+]
in capacities of as much as 640GB (about $110). This monster of a gaming mouse gives you direct access to 22 functions
($104.99) and draws its power from via a built-in EasyShift [+] button (one of 12 onboard buttons), 6,000dpi Pro-Aim
one USB cable. The DriveStation Laser Sensor with built-in TDCU (tracking and distance control), five profiles you
Axis LED, meanwhile, will start can save to the 576KB of integrated memory, and a slick four-LED system you can
shipping in January at a top 2TB configure with various effects. ■
($159.99) capacity and include a
built-in LED-drive capacity meter.
Also in storage news, beyond a New Headsets Are Here, You Say?
new 480GB UltraDrive MX SSD Sure, you can technically game without chatting, but having a headset, whether you
(reportedly $1,200; 250MBps read use it to talk a little junk or a little strategy, makes the experience that much more
and 180MBps write) with dual satisfying. To that end, it’s out with the old and in with the new at Sony, which is
SATA II and mini-USB interface, replacing its 2008-released Bluetooth Headset for the PS3 with a more streamlined,
Super Talent recently made available 30% smaller model (that costs $49.99) with dual mics, automatic PS3 pairing (via
a USB 3.0 Express Duo flash drive USB cable), mute button, charging cradle, LED in-game indicator, new noise-
in 8GB and 16GB sizes for a mere cancelling ability, and three-way calling and call-waiting support. Sennheiser,
$14 and $29, respectively. USB 2.0 meanwhile, is also gifting gamers with new headset options via a new headset line
backward-compatible, the stick led by the flagship PC 360 ($299.95) with Open-Aire acoustics technology. The PC
can surpass 67MBps reads when 163D ($209.95) and PC 333D ($239.95), meanwhile, both pack Dolby Headphone
slipped into a USB 3.0 port, Super technology for 7.1 virtual surround sound. Finally, the PC 330 G4ME ($169.95)
Talent states. ■ provides a nice automatic muting ability when pushing the boom mic upward. ■
SugarSync Sweetens
Its Free Storage Offer
A recent announcement from online storage provider SugarSync
is a win-win situation for current users and those who have
yet to tap into the company’s backup and file-sharing service.
Previously, SugarSync offered anyone 2GB free online storage
to keep and manage their goods from any device, including An-
droid, Apple, and BlackBerry mobile gear. The company more
than doubled the offering to 5GB in mid-November, however;
citing the limit as the “most generous, free sync-and-share of-
fering for the personal cloud.” Those already signed up for 2GB
plans were upgraded to 5GB, as well. “Statistics show people’s storage needs double every two years
so this larger plan is better suited for today’s mobile consumer,” says Laura Yecies, SugarSync CEO.
“This is by far the most robust free, cloud-based service for consumers on the market.” ■
Si t e Se e i n g
OpenCulture.com Sucks Amazon.com
Your Time Intelligently Studios Wants
Thanks a lot, OpenCulture.com. There’s another
Saturday we can’t get back. No worries, though. Your Best Pitch
Spending the better part of the day at this site is Ever had a great idea for a
well worth it for appreciators of free, intelligent, Hollywood flick only to let it fade
engrossing Web 2.0-presented, high-quality into the ether because you lacked
video and audio. With a mission to centralize, the means to get the script into
curate, and provide access to such content via the hands of some hotshot studio
audio books, ebooks, online courses, movies, and exec? Us, too. Well, Amazon.com is hoping to change that scenario
more, the site succeeds magnificently. Take, for with the recent launch of Amazon Studios, which plans to use “21st-
example, recent posts providing a heads up on the century technology” to create “opportunities to make and share movies
download availability of the 1910 film version of and scripts more easily than ever.” Amazon has forged a “first-look deal”
“Frankenstein” via the Internet Archive, a link to an with Warner Bros. to present the highest regarded projects as deemed
animated version of the Gettysburg Address, or an by judges and users to the studio. Amazon will also hand out $1.1
entry devoted to a conversation on transcendental million in prizes next year, including $1 million to the Best Movie and
meditation between David Lynch and Sir Paul $100,000 to the Best Script. You have until Dec. 31, 2011 to enter.
McCartney. Excellent, organized, and well-linked, Once you post your work, other filmmakers and screenwriters can offer
the site offers apps for Apple and Android devices. ■ revision suggestions and advice. ■
87%
of software creatives to start submitting their best work, and if you make
the cut, you’ll be one of those guys who decides what apps still need work
and which are ready for prime time. Experience with Mac OS X is required,
of course, and our guess is that you will most likely have plenty to do.
“Candidate needs to be able to organize and prioritize a heavy workload,” Percent of U.S. Internet users
the job description says. Consider yourself warned. who access social media (Harris Interactive)
(bit.ly/d1ZLlN)
26%
the rage among the digerati
and investors. It seems
that everyone is “checking
77% Offered an incentive
in” when they enter their
(free product, coupons, etc.)
neighborhood Applebee’s. Percent of Web users who spend more
46% Solved a problem (customer service) Or are they? According to time communicating with friends
the latest Pew Internet & online than face to face (Yazino)
39% Solicited feedback on product American Life Project poll,
148.4
only 4% of online adults use
28% Entertained me (access to premium content)
such “geosocial” services,
26% Offered new ways to interact with their brand and on any given day only
(widgets, mobile apps, games, etc.) 1% use them. To be sure, 7%
Million
of mobile Internet users do
21% Marketed to me (banner ads) (Cone) access these services. But the
line to “check in” at your local
Starbucks may not be as long Unique U.S. visitors to Facebook.com
as the hype suggests. in September 2010 (comScore)
of 2011, which is why motherboard circuitry is cooled passively, though we face, the platform boasts a smart layout. A
vendors continue refreshing their X58- suspect the heatsink would be more trio of 16-lane PCI-E slots accommodate up
based lineups. Today we’re looking at six effective without a decorative cap on top. to three cards in CrossFire or SLI. Should
revamped X58 platforms sporting modern ASRock puts ample space between its you run such a potent configuration, one
takes on a 2-year-old chipset. first, second, and third 16-lane PCI-E slot will operate at full speed, while the
slots, so even if you’re using dual-slot other two are split into eight-lane links.
ASRock X58 Extreme6 boards in CrossFire or SLI, there’s still USB 3.0 and 6Gbps SATA are both
We’re increasingly seeing motherboard one slot of breathing room between included in moderation (two ports
vendors tying 6Gbps SATA and USB 3.0 each card. Of course, the X58 chipset for each), but most of the Rampage III
into current-gen Intel platforms. Intel’s comes with 36 total lanes of PCI-E Formula’s capabilities revolve around the
existing chipsets don’t natively support either, 2.0 connectivity. Between the X58 challenges of overclocking. For example, a
necessitating third-party controllers. Extreme6’s slots and onboard controllers, pair of BIOS chips comes in useful when
Including SATA 6Gbps is easy enough. it greatly exceeds that ceiling. So ASRock an abundance of ambition puts one out of
The connector looks exactly the same, and uses a PLX switch to ensure each com- commission prematurely. ROG Connect
it’s predominantly an internal interface, ponent gets ample bandwidth. links the motherboard to your laptop
anyway. But USB 3.0 employs an all- The X58 Extreme6 employs a small of choice via USB, relaying POST code
new connector. Unfortunately, most cases eight-phase voltage regulation circuit, so and hardware status readouts, in addition
with front-panel USB access still employ it’s not going to be the best for hardcore to facilitating BIOS updates. ProbeIt is
second-generation ports because there is overclockers. However, the value of this Asus’ marketing term for eight onboard
As it turns out, dipping below the $200 the X58 Classified3 is able to deliver a though. Gigabyte ships the board with
mark might be too good to be true. The maximum of 600W to the processor. a heatsink covering Intel’s X58 chipset.
X58B-A3 SLI only has one BIOS file Other enthusiast-friendly features include Two grooves toward the rear of the
available—its initial release. That wouldn’t Vdroop control, which helps maintain sink accommodate an included Hybrid
be a detractor if the board operated like a load voltages to stabilize aggressive Silent-Pipe module, which stretches
mature product, but it doesn’t. Even with all overclocks, onboard voltage read points from the voltage regulation circuitry to
of the board’s USB functionality turned on (similar to Asus’). the chipset and out the back of a chassis.
(and recognized in the Windows 7 Device The X58 Classified3 doesn’t turn in Or, you have the option to replace the
Manager), none of the mice and keyboards the highest stock benchmarks, but heatsink altogether with a bundled
we plugged in would work. Thankfully, its BCLK is also set to 132.7MHz by waterblock (compatible with 3/8-inch
ECS includes legacy PS/2 ports for both default, resulting in a CPU running about inside diameter tubing).
I/O devices; those functioned normally. 20MHz lower than the rest of the boards. Gigabyte’s feature list includes dual
That’s not to take away from the Of course, a board like this was never Gigabit Ethernet controllers, up to 12
X58B-A3 SLI’s performance or stability, meant to ride at the speed limit. SATA devices (two 6Gbps), up to 14 USB
though. Once we worked past the board’s Beyond the features or benchmark ports (two USB 3.0), FireWire, and two- or
idiosyncrasies, it was able to put down scores Evga’s board is able to generate, three-way SLI/CrossFire support. Although
excellent benchmark scores without a there’s one reason enthusiasts keep going the X58A-UD7 isn’t as well suited to
hiccup in reliability. back to the company’s premium products: hardcore overclocking as the Asus or EVGA
Of course, a budget board won’t the always difficult to quantify variable boards, it does offer a number of LED
include a ton of extras. Storage is limited called service. Despite the fact that Evga banks that indicate voltage, overclocking,
to the six 3Gbps SATA ports native to knows its boards are used by power and temperature status.
Specs & Scores ASRock X58 Asus Rampage ECS Evga X58 Gigabyte MSI
Extreme6 III Formula X58B-A3 SLI Classified3 X58A-UD7 X58A-GD65
Form factor ATX ATX ATX EATX ATX ATX
DIMM slots 6 (Up to 24GB 6 (Up to 24GB 6 (Up to 24GB 6 (Up to 24GB 6 (Up to 24GB 6 (Up to 24GB)
DDR3-2000) DDR3-2200) DDR3-1600) DDR3-1600+) DDR3-2200)
SATA 6x 6Gbps, 2x 6Gbps, 6x 3Gbps 2x 6Gbps, 2x 6Gbps, 2x 6Gbps,
6x 3Gbps 6x 3Gbps 6x 3Gbps 6x 3Gbps 6x 3Gbps
USB 3.0 6 2 No 2 2 2
Gigabit Ethernet
1 1 1 2 2 1
FireWire 2 2 2 2 3 1
PCI-E 3x PCI-E x16, 3x PCI-E x16, 2x PCI-E x16, 4x PCI-E x16, 4x PCI-E x16, 3x PCI-E x16,
2x PCI-E x1 2x PCI-E x1 1x PCI-E x4, 1x PCI-E x1 2x PCI-E x1 2x PCI-E x1
2x PCI-E x1
eSATA 2 2 2 No 2 2
MSRP $239 $299 $189 $379.99 $349 $249.99
CPUs ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●●●●
ASRock X58 Asus Rampage ECS Evga X58 Gigabyte MSI
Extreme6 III Formula X58B-A3 SLI Classified3 X58A-UD7 X58A-GD65
3DMark Vantage
14310 14320 14256 14224 14299 14235
GPU Score 12224 12159 12148 12149 12139 12091
CPU Score 29323 30672 29566 29172 30674 30399
WinRAR x64 1:03 0:51 0:54 1:02 0:51 0:57
(334 MB Archive)*
HandBrake 0.9.4
5:13 4:58 5:03 5:08 4:57 4:57
Transcode*
iTunes 10.0.1 AAC
1:21 1:18 1:19 1:21 1:19 1:17
Conversion*
*minutes:seconds
A s we expand our collection of media, the external drive occasionally felt a little With its quick performance, the d2
which now includes HD video, high warm, but it was never hot. The d2 can sit USB 3.0 is ideal for those with a PC with
bit-rate MP3’s, and high-resolution images, vertically or horizontally, and we like that USB 3.0 ports who often transfer large
transfer speed should be one of the key LaCie included a heavy stand that screws media collections from one system to an-
concerns when looking for external storage. to the external drive and provides a solid other. Power users who regularly back up
USB 2.0 provides a theoretical maximum base when the unit stands upright. large sets of files will also benefit from the
transfer speed of 60MBps, with real-world We connected the LaCie d2 USB 3.0 to a USB 3.0 connectivity. ▲
speeds often settling around 30 to 40MBps. test system with USB 3.0 ports and ran
The LaCie d2 USB 3.0 is an external hard PCMark Vantage’s HDD Suite and by Nathan Lake
drive that features a USB 3.0 connection, SiSoftware Sandra’s Physical
which can offer a theoretical maximum Disk tests. The external hard
transfer speed of 600MBps, and LaCie in- drive posted a 108.79MBps Benchmark Results LaCie d2 USB 3.0
PCMark Vantage HDD Tests (MBps)
stalls a 7,200rpm hard drive that allows the read performance and 13ms Windows Defender 25.75
d2 to copy data at up to 130MBps. random access time, which Gaming 14.1
We tested the 1TB version of the d2 are both comparable to the Importing Pictures To Windows Photo Gallery
53.73
USB 3.0, but a 2TB version ($249.99) is Windows Vista Startup 17.44
also available. LaCie designed the d2 USB Video Editing Using Windows Movie Maker 41.77
d2 USB 3.0
Windows Media Center 81.94
3.0 with fanless cooling; the whole alu- $149.99 Adding Music To Windows Media Player 9.62
minum exterior of the external hard drive LaCie Application Loading 4.401
serves a large heatsink. During our testing, www.lacie.com SiSoft Sandra 2010 SP1
Physical Disks
Drive Score (MBps) 108.79
G
GTS 450 HD 5750
igabyte recently sent us its entry- slightly less if you’re Price $129.99 $129.99
level take on the GF106-based willing to fuss with re- Core Clock 810MHz 850MHz
GeForce GTS 450. Like Nvidia’s refer- bates. Even despite a new Memory Clock 902MHz 1,200MHz
ence design, this card has a $129 price Catalyst driver (one that Memory Interface 128-bit 128-bit
Memory 1GB GDDR5 1GB GDDR5
tag, but unlike that card, the core and boasts improved
3DMark Vantage Performance Performance (1,280 x 1,024)
memory clocks are bumped slightly, from S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Overall 10638 9546
783MHz and 900MHz to 810MHz and Pripyat performance), GPU Score 8736 7766
902MHz, respectively. the GTS 450 still has an GPU1 (fps) 26.1 23.88
Gigabyte’s GTS 450 is a dual-slot card edge on the elder Radeon GPU2 (fps) 25.06 21.58
CPU Score 30661 30572
that sports an oblong plastic heatsink card (even in
CPU1 (Plans/s) 4310.1 4287.98
shroud, but it only covers the top of the ra- S.T.A.L.K.E.R.). CPU2 (Steps/s) 38.95 39.08
dial aluminum heatsink, so it’s more of a Between the two, Games 1,280 x 1,024
cape than a shroud. The heatsink features a DirectX 9 performance Left 4 Dead 2 (8XAA, 16XAF) 70.7 69.75
copper core, which adds appreciably to the appears to be a wash, but S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: CoP (4XAA) 24.9 19.5
Aliens Vs. Predator (8XAA) 22.4 20.9
card’s weight, and according to Gigabyte, DX11 titles seem to
1,920 x 1,200
lowers temps by 14%. Another bonus you favor Gigabyte’s card. ▲ Left 4 Dead 2 (8XAA, 16XAF) 45.24 49.63
get with this card is a three-year warranty. S.T.A.L.K.E.R: CoP (4XAA) 15.26 12
A single six-pin PCI-E power connector by Andrew Leibman Aliens Vs. Predator (8XAA) 14.2 13.9
supplies juice to this card, and you have a Drivers: ForceWare 260.63/Catalyst 10.9
pair of DVI ports and a Test system pecs: Processor: 3.33GHz Intel Core i7-980X
Extreme Edition; Motherboard: Intel DX58SO; RAM: 3GB
mini HDMI port for dis- GeForce GTS 450 (GV-N450-1GI) Qimonda PC3-8500; Storage: 128GB Patriot Zephyr SSD;
play connectivity. $129.99 PSU PC Power & Cooling TurboCool 1KWSR
Due to the similarity in Gigabyte
Specs: Capacity 1TB; Ports: USB 3.0; Support: Windows
price, we benchmarked the www.gigabyte.us
XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Mac OS X 10.5 and
Gigabyte GTS 450 against ●●●● 10.6; Dimensions: 2.3 x 6.6 x 7.2 inches (HxWxD)
by Joanna Clay
a totally modular, open-air chassis built cooled combination of a Gigabyte GA-
with the capacity to provide some serious X58-USB3 motherboard, Intel Core
cooling, which is obvious when you i7-980X EE, Radeon HD 6850, 6GB
see that the case is practically all mesh Patriot Sector 7 DDR3, and the Antec
wrapped around a frame. TruePower Quattro 1,200W power
Starting with the outside tour of supply. Installing components was made
the LanBoy Air, we were impressed infinitely easier by the fact that you could
with a design that makes it possible to get to almost any nook by completely
completely reconfigure the front panel, removing pieces of the case.
unscrew the varying sizes of side panels, For some, this case’s starkly unique Antec
and store tools in an onboard utility box aesthetic, a byproduct of its take-no- LanBoy Air
that’s conveniently hidden at the bottom prisoners modular design, may make it a $219.95
of the front panel. hard sell. But it is a tweaker’s dream, and Antec
Not unlike tearing down and re- for those who like the way it looks—or www.antec.com
building a tower of Legos, the LanBoy
Air is a joy to take apart and piece back Specs: Case type: Fully modular; Motherboard compatibility: Mini-ITX, microATX, Standard ATX;
together. Technically, you can reorganize Bays: 3 5.25-inch external, 6 3.5-inch internal, 2 2.5-inch internal (bottom-mounted); Dimensions:
the case 34,800 different ways if you’re 20.4 x 8.7 x 19.3 (HxWxD); Standard fans: 2 120mm front, 1 120mm rear, 2 120mm side; Optional
really enthusiastic. If you prefer your PSU fans: 1 120mm, 6 120mm side fan bays, 1 120mm top; Front ports: 2 USB 2.0, 1 USB 3.0, audio I/O
Scythe USB Foot Switch Triple One note, racers: The pedals offer all-or-
nothing functionality, meaning no variable
throttling or braking.
Specs: High-impact plastic case; Color: Red, black, or yellow; Weight: 2.8 lbs.; Silicone key
press multiple keys at once, for example. protector; Up to 100 macros, 25 loaded at any one time; variable keystroke sensitivity; 2 USB 2.0
The K8100 delivers all of these and ports; Spare rubberized WASD keys with key removal tool; removable wrist rest; LED key backlights
adds an attractive housing plus several
additional features. The K8100 is a programmable gold replacement WASD keys and switchable
All keys are not created equal, and the mine, with features to gladden the hearts LED backlit keys, for example. Even non-
K8100’s designers recognized the fact of serious macro users. With five macro gamers will like the keyboard’s sturdy
that some keys get more—and harder— buttons available in each of five modes construction, routable braided cable with
use than others. The K8100’s keys are (and with other sets that can be loaded gold connectors, and silicone protective
divided into force regions, with some keys via Gigabyte’s Ghost Macro Engine key overlay.
(Spacebar, W, A, S, D, etc.) requiring software for a total of 100 macros), there Gigabyte’s entry into the gaming
more pressure (70 grams) than less are enough options here to allow gamers keyboard market is a solid contender,
frequently used keys that instead require to set up complex interactions and still comparing favorably with other keyboards
only 50 or 60 grams. It’s hard to tell the dedicate a few keys as media buttons. The in—and beyond—its price range: It
difference in pressure without engaging in K8100’s onboard memory means that you provides everything you need for both
some seriously long-term gaming, but the can easily switch machines, carrying your gaming and non-gaming use, and very
key action itself is excellent. The keyboard macros with you. little that you don’t. ■
features a 20-key antighosting feature: Up The K8100 offers a few more features
to 20 keys can be pressed simultaneously. that gamers will appreciate: rubberized by Rod Scher
C P U R a n k i n g : ❍ = A b s o l u t e l y Wo r t h l e s s | ● ● ● 2 . 5 = A b s o l u t e l y A v e r a g e | ● ● ● ● ● 5 = A b s o l u t e l y p e r f e c t
C P U R a n k i n g : ❍ = A b s o l u t e l y Wo r t h l e s s | ● ● ● 2 . 5 = A b s o l u t e l y A v e r a g e | ● ● ● ● ● 5 = A b s o l u t e l y p e r f e c t
and even comes close to dethroning the perses via the more
dual-GPU Radeon HD 5970.” We might traditional heatsink and single-GPU crown, but remember, it takes
have said that six months ago if Nvidia had fan combo. Thanks to the that trophy from the lackluster GTX 480.
released Fermi as it currently exists in the highly efficient cooler, the GTX 580 is also The GTX 580 is still a very hot graphics
guise of the GeForce GTX 580. Instead, the significantly quieter than the GTX 480. card; Gigabyte’s overclocked vapor chamber-
GF100 in the flagship of the 400 series was equipped GTX 480 outperforms Nvidia’s
hot, noisy, and ran on one SM shy of a full The Numbers stab at the technology. It remains to be seen
deck. The GF110 inside the GTX 580 is a Against an overclocked GTX 480 from whether Nvidia’s latest card can stave off a
tweaked GF100 without the crutches, but Gigabyte, the GTX 580 was between challenge from AMD’s forthcoming 6970.
having said that, this card shows Fermi at its 1% and 6% faster in our game tests, Our advice, wait and see. ■
full potential. but it yielded a 12% gain in 3DMark.
That’s enough to give the GTX 580 the by Andrew Leibman
How New Is This GPU?
The GF110 ships with every last one Specs & Scores Nvidia GeForce Gigabyte GeForce Radeon
GTX 580 GTX 480 Super OC HD 5970
of its 16 SMs enabled, which gives it 512
Price $499 $479 $499
CUDA cores, 64 texture units, and the same
Idle temp 39.1 C 34.3 C 42.9 C
ROP count as the GTX 480 (48). Nvidia
Load temp 87.0 C 75.5 C 72.9 C
also took some of the tweaks that made the
Max noise output 65.2 dBA 68.1 dBA 65.4 dBA
GTX 460 such a champ and applied them
3DMark Vantage Extreme
to the GF110, including improved FP16
Overall X13159 X11561 X13970
texture filtering, which lets the GPU filter
GPU Score 12762 11183 13564
twice the number of FP16 pixels per clock
GPU1 (fps) 39.63 34.89 44.24
as the GF100. The GF110 also features a
GPU2 (fps) 35.05 30.56 35.06
new Z-culling/rejection engine designed to
Games 1,920 x 1,200
improve rendering in games. The GF100’s
Left 4 Dead 2 133.29 127.3 158.16
leaky transistors have been sufficiently
(8XAA, 16XAF)
caulked, resulting in a 244W TDP (the GTX
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: 43.22 42.7 43.7
480 has a 250W TDP) even despite a 10% CoP (4XAA)
boost in core clock (to 772MHz) and an 8% Aliens vs. 43.2 41.3 50.6
boost in memory clock (to 1,002MHz). The Predator (4XAA)
memory subsystem is the same 384-bit bus 2,560 x 1,600
with 1.5GB of GDDR5. Left 4 Dead 2 88.02 83.15 115.63
(8XAA, 16XAF)
Much Quieter & Less Hot S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: 27.3 26.9 23.2
Nvidia seems to have effectively fixed CoP (4XAA)
Fermi at the die level, but the changes Aliens vs. 27.2 26.1 31.2
Predator (4XAA)
don’t stop there. The GTX 580 ships with
Driver: Catalyst 10.10 & ForceWare 262.99/260.99
a significantly improved vapor chamber-
Specs: GPU: GF110; Core clock: 772MHz; Memory: 1.5GB GDDR5 (1,002MHz); 512
based cooler. It works by evaporating CUDA cores; 64 texture units; 48 ROPs
liquid from the hot floor of the closed Test system specs: Processor: 3.33GHz Intel Core i7-980X EE; Motherboard: Gigabyte
chamber where it touches the GPU X58-USB3; RAM: 6GB Patriot Sector 7 DDR3; Hard drive: 128GB Patriot Zephyr SSD;
and allowing the vapor to condense on Antec TruePower Quattro 1,200W PSU
you manage to score on your own. found Sapphire’s HD 6850 Aliens Vs. Predator (4XAA) 23.1 24.8
you could easily throw it in the pocket of a wants to turn their extra hard drives SiSoft Sandra 2010 SP1
Physical Disks
laptop bag. into portable storage. ■
Drive Score (MBps) 40.26
Setup is so straightforward that you
Random Access Time (ms) 7.33
won’t need the manual to figure it out. The by Nathan Lake
C P U R a n k i n g : ● = A b s o l u t e l y Wo r t h l e s s | ● ● ● 2 . 5 = A b s o l u t e l y A v e r a g e | ● ● ● ● ● 5 = A b s o l u t e l y p e r f e c t
Each month we dig deep into the CPU mailbag in an effort to A: That Core 2 Extreme QX6850 is a 130W processor, and Intel’s
answer your most pressing technical questions. Want some advice older integrated graphics chips weren’t very well suited to playing
on your next purchase or upgrade? Have a ghost in your machine? back high-quality HD movies. Our advice would be to scrap that
Are BSODs making your life miserable? CPU’s “Advanced Q&A XPC and incorporate something that’s going to use much less
Corner” is here for you. power, have better video playback capabilities, and eliminate the
need to use any DC-to-AC inverters at all. Something like one
Stephen O. asked: Last year I upgraded the sound system in my car of Zotac’s IonITX-A Atom N330-based motherboards would
and added a head unit that had a digital video input so I could watch movies fill the bill quite nicely. You would be sacrificing a lot of CPU
in the car. I also built myself a car computer using a Shuttle XPC with performance, but we doubt you’re actually doing anything that
integrated graphics. The XPC is one of the standard toaster-sized Shuttle requires the horsepower of a Core 2 Extreme, anyway.
boxes, and I have an old Core 2 Extreme QX6850 in it. Zotac’s IonITX-A boards, however, feature Nvidia Ion graphics
I’m having a ton of problems with my whole setup, though. For one, the processors, which are far better suited to HD video playback than
XPC is horrible at playing back HD movies I have ripped to the hard drive. the integrated Intel graphics you’re using now. The IonITX-A
I also don’t like the mess of adapters and the 120V AC inverter I have to also has a DC power input that will eliminate the need to use
use to get power to the XPC. And my car audio guy says that I’m probably an inverter if you connect the power directly to your car’s DC
going to burn out my alternator at some point because I’m pulling too much electrical circuitry. The Zotac board technically requires a 19V
power when I have everything turned on in the car. Any advice on how to input; you may have to use a DC-to-DC 12V-to-19V step-up
clean things up and maybe save some power in the process? I’m open to converter, but we’ve actually seen them work when connected
spending a few bucks if I have to. directly to a car’s 13.4V feed. If your car’s power isn’t very stable,
though, a $30 universal DC notebook adapter with a 19V output
would do the trick and still eliminate the need for the inverter.
Ana R. asked: I have a 24-inch Dell LCD monitor that has a bunch of
inputs on the back, including HDMI, DVI, VGA, and DisplayPort. Ever since I
first bought the monitor, I have been using the DVI connection to my PC. But
my graphics card recently bit the dust, so I bought a new one (a Radeon HD
5770) that also has DisplayPort on it.
I was chatting with some friends of mine, and they told me I should be
using the DisplayPort output on the card to get the best possible picture on
my monitor. Is this true? If so, can I just buy a DisplayPort cable and use the
input on my monitor without having to do any special setup, calibration, etc.?
A: Let’s answer your second answer first, Ana, because that’s a quick
one. Yes, you can simply buy a DisplayPort cable and start using the
DP input on your monitor without having to do any special setup,
Low-power Intel other than to switch to the correct input in your Dell monitor’s
Atom-based Mini-ITX OSD. You should be able to just plug and play, so to speak.
motherboards with Nvidia’s Ion With regard to your first question about image quality
graphics processor, such as this Zotac differences between DVI and DP, in your particular situation,
board, are great for car-computer-type applications. there would be none. If you switched from the DVI to the DP
I
f you’re someone who dismissed the
recent announcement of the AMD
Radeon HD 6800 series of graphics
boards because (at first glance) the
GPU doesn’t look like a significant im-
provement over last year’s Radeon HD
5800 series, you may want to take
another look.
While it’s true that the Radeon HD 6800
series uses the same 40nm manufacturing
process, uses the same basic architecture, and
uses fewer transistors than the 5800 series,
AMD has made enough improvements to
the feature set and efficiency of the 6800
series to make it an interesting option.
By using fewer transistors and by using
components, such as GDDR5 memory,
that have dropped in price in the past
year, AMD is able to offer the 6800 series of games supporting DirectX 11. Typically, cards can still deliver good performance,
at very competitive prices. a new DirectX version is adopted a bit while entering what AMD has found is
“Basically, it’s a refinement of the more slowly.” an important segment of the graphics
DirectX 11 architecture we introduced AMD’s HD 6870 and HD 6850 graphics card market—cards priced around $200.
late [in 2009],” says David Nalasco, senior boards both use the GPU code-named AMD is pricing the Radeon HD 6870
technology manager for the GPU Division Barts. The Barts GPU is the first chip in at $239 and the Radeon HD 6850 at
of AMD. “It still uses DirectX 11, and the the Northern Islands family of GPUs from $179, prices that are lower than what was
40nm transistor manufacturing process AMD. The Barts GPU is a smaller chip available with the 5800 series.
is the same. We’re taking the existing than the Cypress GPU that’s found in the “Where the 6800 sits is in what
technology and finding new ways to hit Radeon 5800 series. we call the ‘sweet spot’ of the market,”
some new price points.” Although the Radeon 6800 series Nalasco says. “It’s priced around the
DirectX 11 support is a key component has seen improvements in some areas, $200 range, and that has historically
to the potential success of the Radeon performance is lower than the 5800 series been where you get some really nice
6800 series, Nalasco says. in a few other areas. However, Nalasco characteristics for gaming.” ■
“With DirectX 11 in the GPU, we’ve had says AMD made enough improvements
very good success with gamers supporting it,” and maintained enough performance in by Kyle Schurman
Nalasco says. “Frankly, it’s a large number the Radeon 6800 series that the graphics
I
f you’re tired of hearing about the full to seriously challenge HDDs in the Introducing Toggle Mode
potential for solid-state drives, and mainstream markets. Toshiba and Samsung are leading the
you’re ready for some action, then you Toggle Mode NAND flash, which development of Toggle Mode NAND
may want to pay close attention to the increases data transfer speeds over legacy flash, which supports transfer speeds
development of Toggle Mode NAND NAND flash by more than three times— of up to 133Mbps. (Toshiba usually
flash during the next several months. and by 10 times when an upgraded refers to the transfer speed as 133MTps,
SSDs have tantalized computer version likely is released next year— or megatransfers per second; both mea-
users since they first appeared in the potentially could provide SSDs with the surements essentially are the same.)
1970s. The potential replacement for performance levels they need to seriously Legacy NAND flash supports transfer
hard disk drives, SSDs making use of challenge HDDs. Toggle Mode NAND speeds up to 40Mbps.
nonvolatile NAND flash memory have won’t be limited to SSDs, though, as it In addition to the faster transfer
received plenty of media attention, potentially will replace legacy NAND speeds, Toggle Mode NAND requires less
but they just haven’t been able to hit flash in a variety of products, including power to operate. For legacy NAND flash
a price point for their performance memory cards. technologies, the I/O voltage is 3.3V, but
Reference Point
Distribution of Cells
1 Control Gate
Thin Oxide Layer
Floating Gate
Drain n n Source
p-well
60 Extra-Special Extras
Your Ports Demand These Peripherals
66 Hardcore Software
The Best Apps For The Job
Motherboards
Chipsets often follow the lead of
processor technology, so support for six-
core processors was a big modification in
high-end motherboards. Intel introduced
the H55 and H57 chipsets, similar to the
P55 chipset with the addition of the H
models letting you take advantage of the
graphics capabilities built into some Core i3
and Core i5 processors. AMD announced
the 890GX, which offers a built-in Radeon
HD 4290 graphics core and six native
6Gbps SATA ports, as well as the 890FX
chipset, which supports AMD’s six-core
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Inside The World Of Betas
Evernote 4.0.1 Beta 1
Efeatured,
vernote is something of a paradox: There
aren’t many programs that are so full-
so incredibly useful, and available
Evernote 4.0.1 Beta 1
Publisher and URL: Evernote,
www.evernote.com
on so many different platforms that also have ETA: Q1 2011
such fundamental usability problems. Now, Why You Should Care: The best way
we love Evernote so much we’re willing to to keep notes on all aspects of your life
deal with the eccentricities that the clients keeps getting better and better.
of the different platforms each possess, so
we’re pleased to see the latest Windows beta your cameraphone or scan business cards at too big or too small, and several keyboard
does its best to quash the previous version’s your desk and be able to search them later. shortcuts that made the old version quick
occasionally bizarre behavior. The different versions of Evernote sync with to use are mysteriously absent. Perhaps for
Evernote is a program that captures text, each other and the Evernote Web site, so these reasons, the old version and the beta
images, Web sites, lists, and attached files your data is always available. happily coexist on the same system, with the
in a master database of “notes.” The stack The new Windows client makes much online syncing routing keeping all your data
of notes is easily tagged, and everything is better use of screen space, obeys your sorted out between versions.
searchable. The neat part is that images and system-wide ClearType settings, consumes Because this is the case, regular Windows
scans are searchable for text, too, because far less memory, and is generally much Evernote users have no reason not to check
Evernote’s image processing technology more attractive. That said, Evernote 4.0 out the beta to see what’s in store. ■
inspects images for text during idle periods, measures fonts by the pixel rather than the
meaning you can snap photos of signs with point size, so many notes either appear by Warren Ernst
Software Updates P67 chipset. For the AMD camp, version 3.1.6 patches a serious security problem
Adobe InCopy CS5 7.0.3 1.56 adds support for Phenom II, Athlon that could allow remote code to execute
For the professional-grade word II, and Sempon II CPUs. on the host PC.
processor that works with InDesign www.cpuid.com www.mozillamessaging.com
(see below), Adobe fixes a problem with /thunderbird
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in CS4. Update 7.0.3 also resolves a The cross-platform program for storing Piriform CCleaner 3.0
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when exporting to PDF from Layout view. Windows interface. Evernote’s developers major upgrade this month with a new 64-
www.adobe.com claim that the rewritten code is much faster bit engine. A new Drive Wiper function
and more memory-efficient than older can perform a deep erase on free areas of
Adobe InDesign CS5 7.0.3 versions. The interface and layout have been the drive.
The latest update to Adobe’s popular completely redone to simplify creating and www.piriform.com/ccleaner
publishing design and workflow software searching for notes. Clipping within other
resolves positioning problems with Adobe programs now lets you assign snippets to Real Networks RealPlayer
Illustrator and PDF files that were created notebooks without leaving the program. Yes, that old media player is still
in InDesign CS, CS2, or CS4 yet opened www.evernote.com around, now in its 14th iteration. The
in CS5. Adobe has also fixed some new RealPlayer is a media library and
manual kerning problems with TrueType FeedDemon 4.0.0.9 player designed to reach across devices
and Type 1 fonts. The new version of the popular feed and platforms. This version now shows all
www.adobe.com reader offers a wealth of new features, connected devices (including smartphones)
including a search box in the Newspaper for drag-and-drop file management.
Avant Force Avant Browser 11.8.0.123 view and RSS-to-Atom Twitter feed www.real.com/realplayer
This release issues a number of fixes for conversion. This incremental update
the fast and resource-efficient alternative to the new version introduces a “Speed SeaMonkey 2.1 Beta 1
browser. Now, closing the browser should Reader” newspaper style and an option to This all-in-one Internet suite now
no longer force the download window to display thumbnail images. It squashes a supports OpenSearch plug-ins. The Data
close, and you should be able to properly number of bugs, as well. Manager brings together cookie, password,
refresh Web pages that failed to load. www.feeddemon.com permission, and form data management.
www.avantbrowser.com SeaMonkey plug-ins now run processes
Maxthon 3.0.18.1000 independently of the program and won’t
CCEnhancer 1.5 Beta 6 The alternative Web browser adds crash the main program when they go down.
This add-on for the widely used system support for third-party downloading www.seamonkey-project.org
maintenance utility CCleaner lets you add tools and adds keyword sync for
up to 270 application-specific options to the Multi-Search. Version 3.0.18.1000 adds Driver Bay
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thewebatom.net/programs/ccleaner- rendering errors in the WebKit core, popular top-of-the-line dual-band routers
enhancer and a flickering problem with the Smart fixes a slowdown in WAN performance
Address Bar’s drop-down menus. that required a reboot to remedy. With
CPUID CPU-Z 1.56 www.maxthon.com the new firmware, the router now supports
The CPU identifier and diagnostics display language detection in Guest Access.
program adds support for Intel Core Mozilla Thunderbird 3.1.6 homesupport.cisco.com
i3/i5/i7 2000 series (aka Sandy Bridge) If you use Mozilla’s powerful open-
processors, as well as the Core i7-970 and source email client, take note: Version by Steve Smith
A Little Background
Pinguy OS was built by a fellow
named Antoni Norman who wanted
a Linux OS that he could give to
friends and family—without having to
constantly provide tech support. He’d
been recommending Ubuntu but grew
frustrated with how stark it was. Even Pinguy OS (www.pinguyos.com) is an Ubuntu-based Linux distro that is optimized for novice users.
though it’s relatively easy to add software,
codecs, and the like with Ubuntu’s
repositories, he found that many novice sauce, but Pinguy OS more or less dock on the bottom of the screen
users were still having trouble finding removes the decision-making process displays applications. Docky (which, as it
everything they needed to make their for you. happens, created both on-screen docks),
system work as they wanted it to. Pinguy OS is a simple and smart, if Firefox, Mozilla Thunderbird, the Deluge
He looked at what his family and slightly counterintuitive, approach to a BitTorrent client, Rhythmbox, VLC
friends wanted to do with their computers, Linux distro. Instead of giving the user media player, Terminal, and a trash can
determined which applications would his or her own tabula rasa operating are pinned to the dock (again, created by
satisfy those needs in the most user- system as the user-friendly Ubuntu does, Docky) by default, but it also displays any
friendly way possible, and then de- Pinguy OS packs in all the programs, open applications.
cided to install those applications along patches, browser plug-ins, and other The top of the screen has a straightforward
with anything needed to make them tweaks that (he’s pretty sure) the average file menu (not created by Docky), which
run properly. user will want, and it’s all designed to contains Places, System, Applications, and
Along the way, Norman hit on an be optimized from the get-go. He also Search; Desktop, with a Spotlight-like search
interesting problem with Linux repositories: used a variety of programs to tweak the bar; and the predictable File, Edit, View,
It’s great that virtually any and every interface so it’s as attractive as possible, Places, and Help.
application you could possibly want is right such as using MintMenu for the main One item that seems to clash a
there for the taking, but most users don’t menu. The result is an operating system bit with Pinguy’s raison d’être is the
know which applications they really want that should “just work” and looks pretty, large, transparent widget that displays
or need. to boot. information about CPU usage and
For example, everyone wants a word- other under-the-hood information
processing application, a photo editor, A Tour about your system. Although this is a
a music player, and so on, but which It was somewhat jarring to boot a Linux nice tool for knowledgeable computer
one should you choose? The options OS and be greeted by a relatively busy users, Pinguy OS’s target audience
can be overwhelming. Pinguy OS is desktop. On the left side of the screen is a probably won’t even know what it’s for,
kind of like having a personal shopper; vertical dock with folders for documents, and it takes up a lot of screen space. It
you still have 50 choices for spaghetti music, pictures, and so on, and another seems rather unnecessary.
Preinstalled Applications
Pinguy OS is packed with applications so you don’t have to mess with it. Here is the complete
list; judge for yourself whether it’s too much, too little, or incomplete.
Advertisement
Mobile Wars
The Battle Over The Next Great Computing Platform
T
he battle for digital hearts and and business markets at once. This may
minds is starting to move off of the be a rough go, warns Coupons.com CTO
desktop and on to mobile handsets. and former Android engineering lead
Over a year ago, respected Morgan Steve Horowitz. (See sidebar.)
Stanley analyst Mary Meeker proclaimed “With their Torch phone, [RIM] is
that mobile platforms were on a consider- trying to straddle both worlds,” Horowitz
ably steeper adoption curve than the PC says. “They continue to play on [their]
and Internet had been before it. Mobile strengths but add in a touch-based user ex-
technology represents the next major tech perience and new models for developers.
cycle of the last century, after mainframes Their challenge is going to be getting devel-
(1950s/60s), mini computers of the ’70s, opers and consumers to accept the device
and desktop computers and the Internet on both fronts and to compete with the
in the ’80s and ’90s. When she predicted ‘from scratch’ designs of Android and iOS.”
that within five years the number of With the announcement of a tablet,
people accessing the Internet over mobile the BlackBerry PlayBook, running on a
devices would exceed the number coming more Android/iOS-like QNX-based OS,
from the desktop, the race to dominate RIM is signaling that it plans to bring this
the handset was on. fundamentally new platform to phones
The competition for mobile market eventually, too. But that may be too little
share among the major smartphone too late, says veteran mobile expert J.
players in the United States, Apple, Gerry Purdy, principal analyst, Mobile &
Research in Motion (BlackBerry), Goo- Wireless, at MobileTrax.
gle Android, and the newly launched “They are a walled garden, like Apple,
Windows Phone 7, starts from a very and don’t license BlackBerry to others,”
fragmented state. According to an BlackBerry: Purdy says. Squeezed by Apple and
August 2010 comScore report, RIM con- Trying To Stay Relevant Google’s smoother app and Web experi-
tinues to lead in the domestic subscriber After Apple and Google put pressure ences, RIM needs to work on being
market with 37.6%, but its share is on RIM’s BlackBerry phones with an ex- warmer and cuddlier.
falling rapidly. Apple has 24.2% of tensive catalog of apps and a better “You need to do more than just work,”
smartphone customers and is holding its browsing experience, RIM is fighting says Purdy. “You need to appeal to satis-
own against main challenger Google back this season with a revised BlackBerry factions and emotions.”
Android, which holds 19.6% of the U.S. 6 OS (on its Torch phones) and new em-
market and is growing faster than any Apple: The Pace Car
phasis on app and Web app development.
other mobile operating system. Micro- “OS 6 is betting on the ubiquity of the Although second to RIM and losing
soft’s legacy Windows Mobile OS is at mobile Web,” says Erik Rickson, director share to Google Android, Apple con-
10.8%, and Palm’s WebOS rounds out of mobile analytics for mobile metrics tinues to set the pace in design and app
the top 5 at 4.6%. Nokia’s Symbian OS firm Webtrends. Rickson’s company re- development.
remains a strong force internationally, cently partnered with RIM to offer devel- “[Apple’s] reputation rests on two pil-
but Nokia has failed to make a mark in opers measurement tools for BlackBerry lars—the App Store ecosystem and the
the United States. native and Web apps. He says the new OS connection to media consumption,” says
So where does this leave the race for strengthens support of apps but is espe- Neil Strother, mobile practice director,
mobile supremacy? Ultimately, consumers cially strong on HTML5, which gives ABI Research. Despite Apple’s closed OS
will decide, but in the meantime, we asked mobile Web sites app-like functionality. and its strict control over the App Store
four of the leading voices in the mobile RIM is legendary for its enterprise approval process, there are 300,000
field to evaluate the relative positions of email security and adoption, but now the downloadable apps available through the
each platform and handicap the race. company is aiming for both consumer App Store. Apple also boasts unrivaled
New Vegas opens with you, a nameless courier, being factions you’ll encounter, an
shot and buried by a well-dressed man. Lady Luck ability to combine ingredients
is on your side, though. A doctor from the town of to create power-up and healing
Goodsprings resuscitates you from your near-death potions, and a new crafting system.
experience and gets you back on your feet. Here you So you’re still playing on the core
customize your character’s look and skills. Your goal is Fallout 3 framework but with definite
to find out more about the package for which you were improvements. There’s also a special
knocked off and to track down those who did you in, hardcore mode that old-school PC RPGers will
but side quests are intriguing and worth the effort. appreciate, and what you choose to say will likely come back to haunt you.
The mutated Wild West you encounter in the The Gamebryo engine powering New Vegas feels tired. We hope to see
Mojave Desert is unlike anything you’d find in a new engine for the inevitable release of Fallout 4. Voice work, though, is
Red Dead Redemption. New Vegas features lots of superb and keeps characters interesting. The game was buggy at launch
improvements. For example, gunplay has evolved but has been patched, and we expect additional patches by the time you
with iron sights (more FPS-friendly), streamlined read this. New Vegas is a no-brainer for any fan of Fallout 3. It’s an amazing
interaction with party members, a new (and quite single-player RPG experience that can be completed in 40 to 100 or more
significant) faction system for relating to the various hours of your life. ■
Like its predecessors, Fable III is an action- the kinds of choices that the Fable series
RPG that lets you create a character and is famous for present themselves with
set off on all manner of adventures in the increasing frequency. This is a stark contrast
fictional land of Albion. The game takes to the light-hearted adventure that leads up
place 50 years after the events of the first to your coronation, and in this regard Fable
sequel, and your character is the child III is sort of like two games in one.
of Fable II’s protagonist, who eventually The game is a great deal of fun to play
became the ruler of the land. You are also and is very solid technically, aside from
sibling to King Logan, the current monarch, some problems with your loyal canine
and as the game opens you discover that companion’s AI: Your pooch, who helps
Logan is not a very popular guy. out in combat and can find buried treasure,
Logan’s shenanigans soon prompt you to tends to get stuck behind corners and other
leave the comfortable confines of the castle obstacles in the terrain a little too easily,
and your life of privilege and wealth in order forcing you to sometimes backtrack or risk
to raise an army and challenge your odious missing stuff he’d find. On the plus side,
brother’s claim to the throne. You’ll do this though, the game’s combat (you’ll use
by travelling around the land from place to a combination of melee, firearms, and
place, working to become a bona fide hero magic to impose your will) is loads of fun,
and to endear yourself to the people. and Fable III has an engrossing storyline
Once you become king (or queen, that you help create. In many ways, Fable III
depending on your character’s gender), is a tantalizing glimpse of where games may
things quickly get pretty serious, and be headed, and if so the future is bright. ■
in a number of ways. For instance, Templates branch of the GPE, but you won’t
you can expand the number of recent find them in the same order as the GPE.
documents displayed in the Start menu. You can, however, do an Excel search for
Go to User Configuration\Administrative item names or even features you may want
Templates\Windows Components\ to tweak. For instance, a Find All search of
Windows Explorer. Double-click the “Control Panel” on this file will show all of
setting for Maximum Number Of Recent the items in the GPE that you can change
Documents. When enabled, you can set directly in the Registry. Go to one of them,
by Barry Brenesal
CPU: Wa t c h i n g I n t e r n e t
video on television
alongside movies and network content
Allred: That’s correct. We
have two services: our
entry-level product, which we call Sezmi
is a distinctive feature. Select, and our higher-tier, Sezmi Select
Plus. With Select, you have your local
HCP-1200
$349
Antec
www.antec.com