LapWorks Laptop Desk 2.0 Review

The Bottom Line

If you find yourself working frequently on a plane, train or bus without a desk to set your notebook on the LapWorks Laptop Desk 2.0 is a great way to work more comfortably. When you are at a desk or table the LapWorks Laptop Desk 2.0 is great then also and raises the laptop screen to more comfortable levels. The device is easy to use and is built of quality materials. Road warriors looking to consolidate a couple laptop accessories into one will find the LapWorks Laptop Desk 2.0 works very well.

Pros

• Lightweight
• Compact and easy to carry
• Cools your notebook

Cons

• May not fit in small laptop bags

Description

• Grooves and special conductive non-slip strips help get heat away from your notebook and cool air to it.
• The Laptop Desk 2.0 is very easy to fold and unfold allowing for fast setup and break down.
• Extra width for your external mouse is a great feature than makes working with a notebook easier to do.

Guide Review - LapWorks Laptop Desk 2.0 Review

One of ht things that I like most about the Laptop Desk 2.0 is that when you unfold it to use as a lap desk, not only does it keep the heat from your notebook off your legs and help to cool your notebook, but it also gives you a place to use your external mouse. The Laptop Desk 2.0 is easy to fold and unfold and made of a light, but durable plastic that will not add much weight or bulk to an already crowded laptop bag.

If you are the minimalist type that goes with a very small laptop bag you may find the Laptop Desk 2.0 will not fit since it is still about the width of a 15.4-inch notebook when folded. Grooves in the desk allow heat to escape from your notebook rather than trapping it between the notebook and the desk. LapWorks claims that their Laptop Desk 2.0 can reduce your laptop temperatures as much as 20%.

Using the Laptop Desk 2.0 on your desk can reduce strain on your neck associated with looking down at your screen for extended periods. Three different height levels are available when setting the Laptop Desk 2.0 up for desktop use as well so you can get just eh right amount of height with your notebook screen. the maximum height the screen can be raised is 3.25 inches. color options are black or black/gray.

CineMagix Grand Theater™ Entertainment System

The CineMagix Grand Theater Entertainment System is the perfect convergence device between traditional entertainment and digital multimedia. Store your music for instant access, record your favorite TV shows digitally and in HD, create photo slideshows, and access the web from your TV. CableCARD support allows you to watch premium digital cable content on your TV without the need for a cable box or PVR!

• Individual system performance tuning and updates
• Technology Guide and comprehensive User's Manual
• Complete component documentation and driver disks
• Rigorous quality control testing and benchmarking
• Acoustically tuned and sound dampened
• HQV score of up to 128
• Powerful XHD gaming from the couch

Note: Front USB ports not available with ATI TV Wonder Digital Cable - Internal cards. Quad-core processor highly recommended for the best experience with Blu-ray and dual Digital Cable Tuners. Four HDD not available with SATA Blu-ray.

HDCP TV or Monitor required for playback of digital cable and high definition media.

Sony VAIO VGX-TP1 Home Theater PC

The Bottom Line

Sony certainly made a different design with its white circular case of the VAIO VGX-TP1 home theater PC. The price is more reasonable than many other specialized HTPCs, but its limited performance and features make it a choice for those mainly concerned with style more than substance.

Pros

• Very Distinctive Design
• Relatively Inexpensive

Cons

• Integrated Graphics
• Slower DVD Burner
• No BluRay Option

Description

• Intel Core 2 Duo T5600 Dual Core Mobile Processor
• 2GB PC2-5300 DDR2 Memory
• 300GB 7200rpm SATA Hard Drive
• 8x DVD+/-RW Dual Layer Burner
• Intel GMA 950 Integrated Graphics with HDMI Connector
• Digital ASTC HDTV and Analog TV Tuner
• Intel HDA Audio
• 10/100 Ethernet and 802.11b/g Wireless Networking
• Four USB 2.0, One FireWire, SD/MS Slots
• Windows Vista Home Premium, MS Works 8.5, Click to DVD and Norton Internet Security

Guide Review - Sony VAIO VGX-TP1 Home Theater PC

The distinctive design of the Sony VAIO VGX-TP1 will be the first thing that most people notice. The all white round system is definitely a modern design that will appeal to some, but others might just end up calling it a large white hockey puck. This design is even pushed out to its notebook sized keyboard design that lacks the numeric keypad.

In terms of internal components, much of the VGX-TP1 system is based upon notebook parts. This is not uncommon for the home theater market as the mobile parts are designed to draw less power and produce less heat. This reduces the need for active cooling fans that can be disruptive to the home theater experience. But use of such parts does have its drawbacks.

Powering the system is the Intel Core 2 Duo T5600 dual core mobile processor. This mobile part is sufficient for the purposes of the system, but it does lag behind many other HTPC units that use either the desktop Core 2 processors or higher performance mobile parts. Thankfully Sony included 2GB of DDR2 memory to let it run smoothly.

Storage is alright, but a bit anemic for a home theater system. The 300GB of drive space is plenty for a desktop computer but it quickly gets eaten up by recorded video material, especially if it is from high definition sources. The DVD burner is also only a 8x mobile part that is slower than a traditional desktop drive. It would have been nice to see Sony support their own BluRay high definition DVD format in the system, but I guess it would have driven the price too high.

On the whole, the Sony VAIO VGX-TP1 certainly addresses some of the issues of the XL digital living systems, but it still falls short of becoming a standout home theater PC beyond its distinctive white design.

Poly 965Gx

Up to 8GB DDR2 800MHz Memory
GigaLAN, 7.1 Sound, 6SATA RAID-5

Featured Highlights

	Support Intel® Core™2 Duo, Intel® Pentium® D processor
	Intel® G965 Express Chipset
	Up to 8GB DDR2 800/667/533MHz Memory
	Supports 6 SATA, GigaLAN, 7.1 Sound
	4 Slots / Full Size
	60mm Silent Case Fan x 2 80mm Silent Hard Drive Fan x 1 Air Duct x 1
Poly 965Gx is based on Intel® G965 Express Chipset, Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator X3000 with Intel® Clear Video Technology, dual-channel DDR2 800 MHz SDRAM and discrete PCI Express x16 graphics in the micro ATX form factor. It delivers stability and new features for consumers to enjoy a great digital entertainment experience. Specifications MotherBoard Poly 965Gx ViiV Core2 uATX MB,gLAN,6SATA-R5,7.1 Processor Support for an Intel® Core™2 Duo processor in an LGA775 socket with a 1066 or 800 MHz system bus Support for an Intel® Pentium® D processor in an LGA775 socket with an 800 or 533 MHz system bus Support for an Intel® Pentium® 4 processor in an LGA775 socket with an 800 or 533 MHz system bus Support for an Intel® Celeron® D processor in an LGA775 socket with a 533 MHz system bus Chipset Intel® G965 Express Chipset Main Memory Four 240-pin DDR2 SDRAM Dual Inline Memory Module (DIMM) sockets Support for DDR2 800, DDR2 667, or DDR2 533 MHz DIMMs Support for up to 8 GB of system memory Graphics Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator X3000 onboard graphics subsystem Drive Bays Six Serial ATA IDE interfaces Expansions One PCI Express* x16 bus add-in card connector One PCI Express* x1 bus add-in card connector Two PCI Conventional* bus connectors Cooling 60mm Silent Case Fan x 2 80mm Silent Hard Drive Fan x 1 Air Duct x 1 I/O Ten USB 2.0 ports Two IEEE-1394a interfaces: one back panel connector and one front-panel header Six Serial ATA IDE interfaces One Parallel ATA IDE interface with UDMA 33, ATA-66/100/133 support One diskette drive interface One serial port One parallel port LAN Gigabit (10/100/1000 Mbits/sec) LAN subsystem using the Intel® 82566DC Gigabit Ethernet Controller USB 10 USB2.0 ports Audio 8-channel (7.1) audio subsystem using the SigmaTel STAC9271D audio codec and Dolby* Home Theater certification Color Black & Silver Dimension 17" (W) x 16" (D) x 5.25" (H) Material Aluminum, Plastic & Steel Power Supply Support ATX (not included) Microsoft Vista* Premium Ready you can experience a more responsive and manageable environment of Microsoft Windows Vista* including a new visual sophistication of the Windows Aero* interface. Compatibility Runs Microsoft Windows Vista,XP Home, Professional, Media Center Edition 2005, Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris. (Multi-boot supported)

Alienware Hangar18 Home Theater PC

Alienware has made a bold entry into the home theater PC marketplace with the new Hangar18 unit. This unit has only recently come out on the market, and not all the specifications and details about options have been fully fleshed out. Because of this, I chose to do a profile rather than a full review to better explain what is being offered to consumers by Alienware. Let's see what Alienware offers in this very stylish new HTPC ...

Processors: Since heat is a major issue with home theater PCs, Alienware decided to use the new AMD Athlon 64 X2 energy efficient processors with low 65W thermal signatures. This greatly helps to reduce the need for fans and cooling that can disrupt the home theater environment. The CPU offerings are different then other Alienware systems. Only two real processors, the 4200+ and 4600+, are offered with the Hangar18. Users choose the CPU they get based on selecting the percentage boost over average. Overall, these CPUs should handle the video just fine.

Memory: Every model of the Alienware Hangar18 comes with the same type of memory. All models feature PC2-6400 DDR memory running at 800MHz. The amount of memory that comes in the systems is tied to the CPU selection and the percentage performance increase. The base amount is 2GB while the upgraded levels have 4GB of RAM. Both will allow smooth performance but the 4GB will allow for a greater level of multitasking with the computer.

Hard Drives: Hard drive space is actually the first item that a user selects when customizing the Hangar18. Rather than just listing the number and sizes of drives, Alienware instead lists the options in terms of hours of video. It is important to know that these are estimated amounts of recording space. After all, the amount of space will depend on the video stream and of course other data stored on it. The drive options include 250GB, 500GB, 750GB and one terabyte drive options with a maximum amount of 2TB offering up to 960 hours of video.

CD/DVD Drives: Alienware originally intended to include a high definition optical drive with the Hangar18 model. But due to the case and hardware available, they were unable to add in either a HD-DVD or BluRay drive. This is really a shame as most people opting for such a high-end home theater PC will likely want one of the two formats. Instead, users get standard a DVD burner.

Graphics and Display: Graphics options are listed in terms of maximum supported HD resolution. The 720p base options uses an integrated GeForce 6150 graphics processor built onto the motherboard. Due to its lack of processing power, it is limited to the 720p resolutions. Those looking to output to the 1080p HDTV monitors will want to upgrade which includes a GeForce 7600GS graphics bored that supports improved video playback. Both feature an HDMI output for connecting to an HDTV and support HDCP.

TV Tuners: The TV tuners for the Hangar18 model use a digital ATSC tuner and analog tuner in a single board. The number of overall tuners will vary depending upon the graphics options selected. If the 1080p graphics is selected, then only a single board is installed. If the 720p option is selected, then users can get a second tuner board installed with two HDTV and two analog receivers to record up to four things at once. Alienware has made plans for a CableCard compatible board, but at this time it is not available with no word on if it will be coming.

Audio: All audio for the Hangar18 is handled by the onboard integrated audio processor. The big difference here with the Hangar18 is the built in 200W audio amplifier and connectors for plugging standard home theater surround sound speakers and a subwoofer directly into the unit without the need for an external amplifier or using a computer specific set of speakers. This can greatly improve the audio quality and reduces the amount of additional gear required for the home theater setup.

Software: For the purposes of the home theater setup, Alienware users the Microsoft Vista Home Premium operating system. Because of the multimedia based aspects of video and audio playback with a compatible remote and equipment, there isn't really a need for any other multimedia software suites. Don't expect too much more than the OS when it comes to the software.

Overall Impressions:
The Hangar18 is certainly one of the best looking home theater PCs on the market. Its design integrates well with the traditional home theater component look and feel. The added LED display on the front panel to help display information and the traditional knob controls certainly complete that look. The back panel also features a wide variety of output connectors for it to be used with other devices.

There are just a couple of problems that prevent this from being a truly standout home theater PC system. All of them are compromises from their original design goals for the Hangar18. Without a high definition optical drive inside of the unit, their target audio is going to have second thoughts. The point of the integration is to have this be the sole unit inside a home theater system rather than relying on addition gear such as a HD-DVD or BluRay player. This leads to the second issue, connectivity.

While the Hangar18 features a large number of outputs for connecting it to a home theater receiver, PC monitor and HDTV, the unit only has a single set of input connectors. This set allows one external device to be hooked up to the Hangar18 and uses standard RCA video and audio or an S-Video. Shouldn't it also have some form of high definition input so you can run a high-definition video player through it?

The final part that is disappointing is the lack of a CableCard tuner. Sure, there are still issues with compatibility and reliability, but most people viewing HD content are using satellite or cable for delivery and not using external antennae. Of course, this is an issue that plagues pretty much every HTPC on the market still.

If you can look beyond these flaws, then the Alienware is certainly one of if not the best home theater PC unit on the market in terms of integration and design. The problem is that other companies have addressed at least a few of these issues making the Alienware a step behind. Maybe once they iron out the technical issues, this will become the HTPC to get.

Mac OS X vs. Windows XP: A Performance Comparison on an Apple Mac Mini

Hardware and Software

Hardware

For the purpose of this article, the Intel based Mac Mini was selected to compare the Windows XP and Mac OS X operating systems. The primary reason for the Mac Mini selection was that it has the best overall driver support of the available Intel based systems available. The system was upgraded to the full system specs available from the Apple web site and are as follows:

• Intel Core Duo T2300 (1.67GHz) Dual Core Processor
• 2GB PC2-5300 DDR2 Memory (5-5-5-15 Timing)
• 120GB 5400rpm 8MB SATA Hard Drive
• 8x DVD+/-RW Burner
• Intel GMA 950 Integrated Graphics
• AirPort Extreme 802.11b/g Wireless and Bluetooth

Software

The software is a very important part of this performance comparison. The two operating systems used in the comparison are Windows XP Professional with Service Pack 2 and the Intel based Mac OS X version 10.4.5.

They were installed using the methods detailed by the instructions provided by OnMac.net website.

For the purpose of comparing the two operating systems, several basic computing tasks that users normally perform were selected. Next, the task was to find software that would run on both operating systems that were comparable. This was a difficult task as some may be compiled for both platforms, but many are solely written for one or the other. In cases such as these, two applications with similar functions were selected.

Understanding LCD Monitors

How to Compare LCD Monitors Based on Specifications

LCD or flat panel computer displays are the latest and greatest offerings in the desktop computer industry. They have been used for years in the portable and notebook computing markets, but recent developments have increase performance and size while reducing costs making them viable in the desktop environment. LCD displays are lightweight, extremely thin and use much less power than CRT based monitors.

Screen Size

Unlike CRT monitors, LCD displays are marketed by the actual screen dimensions. This is the measurement of the displayable area of the screen from the lower corner to the opposite upper corner of the display. One of the more confusing aspects with LCD's is their aspect ratio of the screen. Most CRT displays have a 4:3 ratio of horizontal to vertical measurement.

Some LCD screens are marketed as a wide screen display that still have the marketed diagonal measurement, but its aspect ratio can be similar to the 16:9 displays used by wide screen TVs. So be sure to look for the aspect ratio or the vertical and horizontal measurements as well.

Native Resolutions

All LCD screens can actually display only a single given resolution referred to as the native resolution. This is the physically number of horizontal and vertical pixels that make up the LCD matrix of the display. Setting a computer display to a resolution lower than this resolution will either cause the monitor to use a reduced visible area of the screen or it will have to do extrapolation. This extrapolation attempts to blend multiple pixels together to produce a similar image to what you would see if the monitor were to display it at the given resolution but it can result in fuzzy images.

Here are some of the common native resolutions found in LCD monitors:

• 14-15": 1024x768 (XGA)
• 17-19": 1280x1024 (SXGA)
• 20"+: 1600x1200 (UXGA)
• 19” (Widescreen): 1440x900 (WXGA+)
• 20” (Widescreen): 1680x1050 (WSXGA+)
• 24” (Widescreen): 1920x1200 (WUXGA)
• 30” (Widescreen): 2560x1600

Contrast Ratio

All LCD screens get their brightness from lighting behind the actual LCD films. This light has the tendency to wash out the colors and provide a close approximation on most colors. The contrast ratio of a LCD flat panel is the rating of how distinguishable various shades of color are. The higher the contrast ratio of the screen, the better the color representation is by the monitor. When comparing monitors try to find two models of similar size from the same manufacturer with different contrast ratios. The screen with the higher contrast ratio should have better color.

Viewing Angles

LCD's produce their image by having a film that when a current runs through the pixel, it turns on that shade of color. The problem with the LCD film is that this color can only be accurately represented when viewed straight on. The further away from a perpendicular viewing angle, the color will tend to wash out. The LCD monitors are generally rated for their visible viewing angle for both horizontal and vertical. This is rated in degrees and is the arc of a semicircle whose center is at the perpendicular to the screen. A theoretical viewing angle of 180 degrees would mean that it is fully visible from any angle in front of the screen. A higher viewing angle is preferred over a lower angle unless you happen to want some security with your screen.

Response Times

In order to achieve the color on a pixel in an LCD panel, a current is applied to the crystals at that pixel to change the state of the crystals. Response times refer to the amount of time it takes for the crystals in the panel to move from an on to off state. A rising response time refers to the amount of time it takes to turn on the crystals and the falling time is the amount of time it takes for the crystals to move from an on to off state. Rising times tend to be very fast on LCDs, but the falling time tends to be much slower. This tends to cause a slight blurring effect on bright moving images on black backgrounds. The lower the response time, the less of a blurring effect there will be on the screen.

Connectors

Most LCD panels still use the traditional analog VGA connector known as the DSUB-15 or HD15 connector. This is the same connector that is used on all CRT monitors and on most PC video cards. Newer LCD displays and video cards are starting to use the DVI connector. This is a digital interface that is supposed to allow for a cleaner and brighter picture compared to standard VGA connectors. Check to see what type of connector your video card can use before buying a monitor to ensure you get a compatible monitor. Some monitors may also come with composite video connectors to allow them to function as a TV screen.

ViewSonic PJ258D iPod DLP Projector

ViewSonic PJ258D iPod DLP Projector

The Bottom Line
If you are a mobile type that is looking for a projector that can pull double duty showing your presentations during the day and watching movies thrown from your iPod, PC or notebook at night the ViewSonic PJ258D iPod DLP Projector is great. For home theater buffs, the PJ258D doesn't cut it due to the lack of any HD inputs making it unable to function in most home theaters which is really too bad since ViewSonic says the projector can do 1080i and 720p resolutions.

Pros

* Small, portable size
* Very bright
* Great for making iPod video watchable on big screen

Cons

* No HD inputs of any type

Description

* Lack of any HD inputs limits the usefulness of the projector.
* Very bright for a compact projector.
* Instant shut down feature lets you unplug and go with no cool down period for the bulb.

Guide Review - ViewSonic PJ258D iPod DLP Projector

The first thing you notice about the ViewSonic PJ258D iPod DLP Projector is how small it is. Weighing in at only 3.9 pounds and measuring 11.3” x 7.5” x 3.5” it is a very portable unit ideally suited for use by mobile professionals needing to be able to show presentations on a large screen or wall.

After the workday is done, the claim to fame of the ViewSonic PJ258D iPod DLP Projector is the iPod dock built into the projector. This allows you to dock your iPod and watch any video content stored on the device on a screen or large wall. I was able to get about an 80” screen size from about ten feet from the wall. The image was bright and clear with good colors and realistic skin tones with my Underworld Evolution test film.

Using the ViewSonic PJ258D iPod DLP Projector from my PC via the analog D-sub input was fun, the brightness makes it easy to project large images and test is easily readable. I also had fun playing PC games with a large 80” screen size, though the native resolution of 1024 x 768 is sorely lacking for PC gaming these days.

Overall, the only real sore point for me with this projector is the fact that ViewSonic says you can project HD images, yet opted not to include any type of HD inputs. This single omission virtually ensures that no home theater lover will purchase this projector, as the only input source other than the analog D-sub for PC is a single S-Video connector.

PNY XLR8 8800 Ultra Overclocked Graphics Card Review

PNY XLR8 8800 Ultra Overclocked Graphics Card Review

Not too long ago I reviewed PNY’s first overclocked graphics card, the PNY XLR8 8800 GTX Overclocked. Today we are back with another overclocked PNY card, the PNY XLR8 8800 Ultra Overclocked. The PNY XLR8 8800 Ultra Overclocked is the top-of-the-line graphics card that PNY makes, yet carries an MSRP of $759 making it one of the cheaper 8800 Ultras that you can buy. Low cost doesn’t necessarily mean best performance, but the PNY XLR8 8800 Ultra Overclocked hold’s its own against the BFG 8800 Ultra OC that I recently reviewed.

Features & Specifications

PNY clocks the core on their card at 648MHz, the memory is clocked at 2.2GHz and the shader clock is 1512MHz. Naturally the PNY XLR8 8800 Ultra Overclocked is fully DirectX 10 compliant, HDCP capable and uses all the same features from NVIDIA that the other 8800 Ultra graphics cards I have reviewed take advantage of. For full specification data, check out the at PNY.

Test Machine

The test machine I used for this review has the following specifications:

* CPU- Intel QX6700
* Mainboard- XFX 680i
* RAM- PNY XLR8 PC2-9384 2GB
* Display- Dell 30” 3007WFP-HC LCD
* OS- Windows XP Pro SP2

Benchmarks & Testing

To benchmark the PNY XLR8 8800 Ultra Overclocked I am using 3DMark06, FEAR, and Battlefield 2142. The first test up is 3DMark06.

3DMark06

I ran 3DMark06 at default settings in the application and default settings in the NVIDIA control panel. The 3DMark06 test results are as follows:

* Total 3DMarks- 13100
* SM2.0- 5411
* HDR/SM3.0- 5529
* CPU- 4232
* Return to Proxycon- 44.729
* Firefly Forest- 45.451
* Canyon Flight- 52.613
* Deep Freeze- 57.969
* CPU1- 1.401
* CPU2- 2.045

To compare the BFG 8800 Ultra OC that I recently tested scored 12966 3DMarks, giving the PNY XLR8 8800 Ultra Overclocked a slight performance lead. The PNY 8800 GTX Overclocked I reviewed scored 12639 3DMarks.

FEAR

The next test up was with FEAR which I ran at a screen resolution of 2560 x 1600, 4x AA, 16x AF, soft shadows on and all settings at max. the FEAR in game test loop gave the following performance information:

* Min- 28
* Avg- 50
* Max- 109

The percentages show that 59% of the time frame rates were 25 – 40 fps and 61% of the time frame rates were greater than 40 fps.

Battlefield 2142

The final test up for the PNY XLR8 8800 Ultra Overclocked was with BF2142. I ran the game at a screen resolution of 2048 x 1536 with all settings on high and 4x AA. I used Fraps to record frame rate data on a single player level called “Fall of Berlin.” Fraps recorded the following frame rate data:

* Min- 57 fps
* Avg- 68.548 fps
* Max- 93 fps

Final thoughts

I was impressed to see the PNY XLR8 8800 Ultra Overclocked best the performance of the BFG 8800 Ultra OC, even if it was by only a few points in 3DMark06. PNY is selling the card for $759 right now, which is a good price for a 8800 Ultra, much less one that is overclocked and performs this well. The usual suspects when it comes to overclocked video cards like XFX, BFG, and EVGA need to watch out, PNY is on the move into the overclocked graphics card realm with some great products.

Personal Computer Tool Kit

Personal Computer Tool Kit


Checklist of Tools to Have When Working on a PC

Before one really sets out to work on a computer system, it is very important to make sure you have the proper set of tools. In the middle of building a system or even doing a repair job, it is a major distraction to have to go searching for another item you need to complete the job. With that in mind, here is my guide to tools that it is important to have on hand when doing work on a computer.

Philips Screwdriver (Non-Magnetic)

This is probably the most important tool to have out of all of them. Pretty much all computer parts are fastened together to the computer through some form of screw. It is important that the screwdriver not have a magnetic tip. Having a magnetized object inside of the computer case can damage some circuits or drives. It is not likely, but best not to take the chance.

If you plan to work on a notebook computer, they typically use a smaller style of screw.
For this, you want to look for a Philips jeweler's screwdriver or a 3mm sized model. This is a much smaller version that will fit the small screws. A few companies use a fastener called a torx that is a five point star, but usually these are not meant to be removed by the user.

Zip Ties

Ever look inside a computer case and seen all the jumble of wires all over the place? Just the simple use of small plastic zip ties can make all the difference between a jumbled mess and a professional looking build. Organizing the cables into bundles or routing them through specific paths can have two major benefits. First, it will make it much easier to work inside of the case. Second, it can actually aid in the airflow inside of the computer. Just be careful if you make a mistake and need to cut the zip tie.

Hex Driver

Not many people have seen these unless you have a computer tool kit. It looks like a screwdriver except it has a head like a socket wrench. There are two typical sizes of hex screws found inside computers, 3/16" and ¼", but the one that will most likely be encountered is the 3/16" one. The smaller hex driver is used to install the brass screw standoffs inside of the case that the motherboard resides on.

Tweezers

The most frustrating aspect of building a computer is dropping that a screw inside the case and it rolls in the tightest corner so you can't reach it. Tweezers are very helpful when working in tight spots or for retrieving that lost screw inside of a computer case. Another area where they are very handy is for removing those jumpers from motherboards and drives. Sometimes small gripper devices that feature a set of small wires in a sort of claw format can really help. A plunger at the top of the device opens and closes the claw to easily pick up a screw in a tight spot.

Isopropyl Alcohol (99%)

This is probably one of the most important cleaners to use with a computer. It is a very high quality rubbing alcohol that can be found in most drug stores. It does an excellent job of cleaning off thermal compounds without leaving a residue that could impact future compounds. This is typically used on the CPU and heatsink to make sure they are clean before they are mated together. It can also be useful for cleaning contacts that have begun to corrode. It is typically used in conjunction with the next couple of tiems.

Lint Free Cloth

Lint and dust can cause lots of problems inside of computers. In particular, it builds up inside the case and gets deposited on fans and air slots. This will directly impact the flow of air inside the computer and can lead to overheating and failure of components. It also has the potential of shorting a circuit if the material is conductive. Using a lint free cloth to wipe down the case or components will help prevent the build up of dust.

Cotton Swabs

It is amazing how dirty computers can get with the dust and grim from use. The problem is that some of these small cracks and surfaces can be hard to reach. This is where a cotton swab can come in very handy. Be careful about using the swabs though. If the fibers are too loose or there happens to be a sharp edge that it can snag on, the fibers may end up residing inside the computer where it might cause problems. This is best used only for cleaning exposed contacts or general surfaces.

New Plastic Zip Bags

The most obvious use for plastic bags is to store all those loose parts after the computer is finished or even to hold the spare screws while you are working on it. It helps prevent the loss of these small parts. Another area where it is useful is for spreading thermal compounds. Thermal compounds are directly impacted by the oils from the human body. By putting your hand inside the bag before touching the compound for spreading, you keep the compounds free of contamination and thus better suited to conducting heat.

Grounding Strap

Static electricity can cause severe damage to electrical components due to the short high voltage burst caused by a discharge. The easiest way to deal with this is to use a grounding strap. This is generally a Velcro strap with a metal contact fixed to a wire that you clip to an external metal part to help discharge any static charge that may build up on the body. They can be found in either disposable or the more useful reusable style.

Canned Air/Vacuum

As previously mention, dust is a major problem for computer systems over time. If this dust gets bad enough, it can cause overheating and potential part failures. Most computer stores sell cans of compressed air. These may be useful for blowing dust out of parts like a power supply, but they tend to just spread the dust around instead of removing it. In general, a vacuum is best because it pulls the dust off the components and out of the environment. Specially designed computer vacuums or blowers are nice, but I find that a standard house vacuum with a decent set of hose attachments can work just as well. If conditions are very hot and dry, avoid using a vacuum as it can generate a lot of static electricity.

Compaq Presario SR2050NX

Compaq Presario SR2050NX

Compaq's Presario SR2050NX is overall a very solid machine with good overall performance. It is only held back from being great by its older Pentium D processor.

Pros

* Full Gigabyte Memory
* Strong Software Suite
* Large Hard Drive

Cons

* Older Pentium D Processor

Description

* Intel Pentium D 820 Dual-Core Processor
* 1GB PC2-4200 DDR2 Memory
* 250GB 7200rpm SATA Hard Drive
* 16x DVD+/-RW Dual Layer Burner with LightScribe
* ATI Radeon Xpress 200 Integrated Graphics with 256MB Shared Memory
* Intel HDA Audio
* v.92 56Kbps Modem and 10/100 Ethernet
* Seven USB 2.0, Two FireWire and 9-in-1 Card Reader
* Windows XP MCE, Works 8, Sonic Digital Media, MyDVD, Norton Internet Security

Guide Review - Compaq Presario SR2050NX

10/23/06 – The Compaq Presario SR2050NX is powered by the older generation Pentium D 820 dual core processor. While this is a step up from older single core processors when it comes to multitasking performance, its performance falls behind the Athlon 64 X2 and newer Core Duo and Core 2 Duo processors. On the plus side, the system does come with a full gigabyte of PC2-4200 DDR2 memory letting it run most applications without a problem.

Storage is quite strong for the Presario SR2050NX. Data and program storage is provided by a 250GB hard drive that is on the higher end of what can be found in a budget system. In addition to this, a 16x DVD+/-RW dual layer DVD burner is included for playing or recording CDs and DVDs. This drive also supports LightScribe compatible media for burning labels directly to the discs.

Like most budget desktops, Compaq relies on an integrated graphics processor for the Presario SR2050NX. In this case, they use the ATI Radeon Xpress 200 controller that has improved performance over the Intel integrated graphics but still lacks much of the performance needed for 3D gaming graphics. The system does include a PCI-Express graphics card slot for upgrading.

One strong thing going for the Compaq systems is the software bundle. It includes the MS Works productivity software plus multimedia an security applications that cover just about anything that a new computer might require.

Building vs. Buying a Personal Computer

Building vs. Buying a Personal Computer

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Custom Building a PC
Introduction

Since the earliest IBM PC computers, consumers have had the option of putting together their own computer system from compatible components. In the earliest days, this offered a significant savings for consumers who were willing to buy third party parts from smaller manufacturers. Things have changed a lot since then, but there are still significant advantages to building a machine from parts rather than buying a pre-built system.

I personally have not purchased a pre-built desktop computer system since my parents bought an Apple IIe that I technically didn't purchase. To me the advantages of getting the exact computer that I want over what a company feels I might want outweigh the disadvantages of building one.
A System is a Sum of its Parts

All computer systems sold on the market are a collection of components that provide a functional computing system.
Processors, memory and drives are just some of these components that make up a system and allow us to differentiate one system from another. As such, the performance and quality of a system is determined by the parts used in its construction.

So what is the difference between a store bought system and a custom built machine from parts? There could be almost no difference to a very significant difference based on the parts selected for the machine. With this in mind, let's examine some of the advantages and disadvantages of building a computer from parts rather than buying a system.
Advantages of Building

The most distinguishing advantage to building a computer from scratch is the selection of parts. Most computer systems come pre-built with the specifications and components already selected for you. This often can lead the user to have to sacrifice certain features that they may not want to give up. By building a computer from components, the user is able to choose the parts that best match the computer system they desire. Some vendors do allow you to customize a computer system, but you are still limited to their selection of parts.

Another thing that users may not be aware of with pre-built systems is that two of the exact same model computer can actually have very different parts. The reason for this has to do with suppliers, parts available at the time the system was built and just pure luck. For example, Dell might switch between multiple suppliers of memory because one is less expensive then the other. Buying all the parts on your own guarantees what parts you will get in your PC.

One of the less tangible advantages to building a computer from scratch is knowledge. By building a computer from scratch, a user is able to learn and understand how the parts work together. This information becomes immensely valuable when troubleshooting computer problems. The knowledge of what components control the different sub-systems of a computer system means users can repair their own hardware problems without having to deal with support groups or expensive repair bills.
Disadvantages of Building

The biggest disadvantage with building a computer is the lack of any one support organization you will be dealing with. Since each component can and likely will come from a different manufacturer and/or store means that if a part has a problem, you will have to deal with the appropriate company. With pre-built systems, you only have to deal with the manufacturer and their warranty service groups.

The second biggest disadvantage with building a computer system is cost. In most cases, the cost of building a computer will be slightly more expensive than purchasing a pre-built computer. This is due to the fact that the manufacturers can buy in bulk for steep discounts that translate into savings on the computer system. They also include software with the systems that must be purchased separately when building a system. OEM software purchased with hardware does help reduce the costs on custom built systems.

The cost disadvantage does not always hold true though. As the more money one is willing to spend on a computer system, the more likely you will be able to save money by building the PC yourself. This has to do with the top of the line specialized systems are often marked up for extra profits per unit by the manufacturers. So, if you are looking to spend big, investigate building it yourself first.
How to Build a Computer

Now that all of that is out in the open, those interested in building their own computer system from parts can take the next steps. There are a large number of resources available here at the About.com PC Hardware / Reviews site to assist those willing to build a desktop computer. This information has been collected together and is now available in a 5-day e-mail course.

This course covers the basics of the tools and parts you will need, how to put them together properly and even how to get the BIOS configured so that the operating system can be properly installed. This same information can be found on this site, but this makes it easier for users to digest the information without being overwhelmed.

Previously users did not have the ability to build their own notebook computers. Even this is changing these days. Several companies including ASUS now sell base systems that are referred to as White Box Notebooks. These have the base components such as case size, screen and motherboard already installed. Users can then select items such as memory, drives, processors and sometimes graphics to finalize their own laptop computer.

Don't forget to research the parts as well. There are a wide range of components available for consumers to choose from. It's not possible for sites like the PC Hardware / Reviews to look at even single one of these. I have put together some lists of components that I feel are the best that can be found in my Top Picks but even this isn't truly complete. Links to other component reviews can be found posted every Saturday in my Week in Reviews posts.

Lenovo IBM ThinkPad T43

Lenovo IBM ThinkPad T43
The Bottom Line
The Lenovo IBM ThinkPad T43 is an example of a design that is squarely aimed at corporate customers and lacks the features that are standard for a consumer system.

Pros

* Durable Construction
* Gigabit Ethernet
* Dedicated Graphics

Cons

* Limited Expansion
* Small Hard Drive
* No DVD Burner

Description

* Intel Pentium M 725 (1.6GHz) Processor
* 256MB PC2700 DDR Memory
* 40GB 5,400rpm Hard Drive
* 24x CD-RW/DVD Combo Drive
* 14.1" XGA LCD and ATI Mobility 7500 Graphics with 32MB Memory
* AC'97 Audio
* v.92 56Kbps Modem, Gigabit Ethernet and 802.11b/g Wireless
* Two USB 2.0 Ports and One Type II PC Card Slot
* 12.2" x 10" x 1" @ 4.9 lbs.
* Windows XP Pro, IBM Access and Norton Anti-Virus

Guide Review - Lenovo IBM ThinkPad T43

5/26/05 – With the final approvals of IBM's computer division sale to Lenovo, the Chinese manufacturer now has a foothold in the US market. For now though, things will remain pretty much as they are with the ThinkPad retaining its name and specifications.

The ThinkPad T43 is powered by the Pentium M 725 (1.6GHz) processor that allows the system to have a very strong battery life but still run programs quickly. It is only matched up with 256MB of PC2700 DDR memory, well below the standard 512MB. This is really the bare minimum that a system needs to run Windows XP Professional.

Storage on the T43 is below average. While the hard drive does have a good 5,400rpm rotational speed, the 40GB of storage space is very limiting. The system also comes with a 24x CD-RW/DVD combo drive. DVD burners are pretty much standard on all consumer systems, but corporate customers don't really require this ability.

Graphics are a bit better than average since the system comes with a dedicated ATI Mobility 7500 graphics processor. The problem is that the graphics processor is very dated and does not have the same capabilities as newer models. It lacks DirectX 9 and 8 support. The 14.1” LCD is a bit smaller than usual but still very functional.

The problem with the ThinkPad T43 is that it really is geared towards corporate customers that have different needs from consumers. This makes the T43 less practical for an individual but very desirable for a company.

Toshiba Portege R400-S4831 Notebook

Toshiba Portege R400-S4831 Notebook

The Bottom Line
Toshiba's Portege R400 is certainly innovative in its design and features, but they just don't justify the cost of the system. Sure the system is stylish and very functional but they are really targetting first adopters with such a high price.

Pros

* Convertible to Tablet Interface
* LED Display
* EDGE Secondary Display
* Stylish

Cons

* Extremely Expensive
* No Optical Drive Included
* Somewhat Limited Battery Life

Description

* Intel Core Duo U2500 Dual Core Mobile Processor
* 1GB PC2-4200 DDR2 Memory
* 80gb 4200rpm ATA Hard Drive
* 12.1" WXGA (1280x800) LED Backlit Touchscreen Display and Intel GMA 950 Integrated Graphics
* Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11a/b/g Wireless and Bluetooth 2.0
* Two USB 2.0, Type II PC Card Slot and Fingerprint Scanner
* 12" x 9.4" x 1.3" @ 3.8 lbs.
* Windows Vista Business, Office OneNote, WinDVD, Ulead Movie Factory

Guide Review - Toshiba Portege R400-S4831 Notebook

2/13/07 – One of the most notable features of the Portege R400 is the display. The LCD screen uses a new LED backlight that provides a brighter display with more color definition. In addition, the 12.1-inch screen has a very sturdy pivot hinge that lets it be converted into a tablet interface. Once rotated, Vista's Tablet interface takes over and users can use the built in stylus or their work. Toshiba also built in a secondary OLED display on the front the notebook that tells status information such as the time, battery life and it can also tie into your email and schedules in Outlook. This edge display is available even when the system is powered down, one of the aspect of Vista's new SideShow function.

The Portege R400 has updated components from the previous R200 specifically to handle the new operating system. It uses the Intel Core Duo U2500 dual core processor that is a significant improvement from the Core Solo used in many ultraportables. The full gigabyte of memory is pretty much a requirement for a smooth operation of Vista, but really it could use a bit more. The hard drive is also quite sizable at 80GB.

But even with all these features, the Portege R400 isn't without its problems. This version does not include a CD or DVD drive either internal or external. This is a significant oversight for such an expensive system. In addition, the battery life is lower than one should expect from its dimensions and weight. A secondary battery is available, but that pushes it into the realm of larger thin and light systems. Finally, the price of the system puts it well above even many competing ultraportables that one really has to question if all the features are truly worth the price tag.

IBM ThinkCentre M50

IBM ThinkCentre M50

The Bottom Line
While IBM sells its ThinkCentre desktop systems to the general public, these systems are best suited for a corporate environment and not the home.
Compare Prices
Pros

* Includes Windows XP Professional
* Gigabit Ethernet Interface
* Three Year Warranty

Cons

* Only 256MB PC2700 Memory
* No FireWire
* No Optical Burner

Description

* Intel Pentium 4 3.0 GHz Processor with 800 MHz Frontside Bus
* 256MB PC2700 DDR Memory
* 40GB 7200rpm Hard Drive
* 48x CD-ROM Optical Drive
* SoundMAX Cadenza Audio without Speakers
* Intel Extreme 2 Integrated Graphics with 64MB of Shared Memory
* Intel Gigabit Ethernet Port
* Eight USB 2.0 Ports
* Windows XP Professional Operating System and Lotus SmartSuite Millenium Productivity Software

Guide Review - IBM ThinkCentre M50

2/12/04 - IBM's primary focus for computer systems is the corporate market and it shows very clearly with the ThinkCentre line of desktop computers. Many features one normally expects for consumers are missing while corporate features are there instead.

The ThinkCentre M50 is powered by an Intel Pentium 4 3.0GHz CPU with 800MHz bus. This should give the system enough computing power for most any tasks. In fact, it is more computing power than most people need for simple business suite applications. The systems primary fault though is the memory. It comes with a small 256MB of memory and of the PC2700 speed which restricts the memory bus from its full potential.

Storage is very meager in the M50. There are no optical burners at all in the system. Even budget priced computers now offer CD-RW drives, but the corporate market frowns upon such drives. Hard drive space is also a very small 40GB of space. This is much smaller than the average mainstream desktop computer.

Graphics are very limited. IBM uses the integrated Intel Extreme2 graphics. This is not a graphics processor that should be used for any serious 3D applications. In addition, it uses system memory further reducing the already limited amount of memory. Audio is powered by the SoundMAX Cadenza audio processor, but no speakers are included.

In the end, the ThinkCentre is very much a machine that is designed for the corporation but marketed also to consumers. It doesn't make a good consumer PC though.

Voodoo PC Omen

Voodoo has been in the market of making flashy, high performance computer systems for some time. Even with HP's interest in the company that makes a limited number of systems, it is unlikely that their business would change much at all. But are their computers more than just a pretty face when it comes to performance? The Omen is offered with both AMD and Intel with either the NVIDIA SLI or ATI CrossFire. For this profile I look at the Intel with SLI tech. Let's take a look at what the Voodoo Omen has to offer ...
Processor: Voodoo's goal with the Omen is to make one of the fastest PC's available. As such, they only offer the Intel Core 2 Extreme models of processors. Users can elect to have the base dual core X6800 model or upgrade to the quad core QX6700 or QX6800. The dual core model is a bit better for gaming and applications not designed for multiple cores while the quad core performs better at certain multimedia applications. Voodoo includes a liquid cooling system to help cool down the processor and reduce noise.
Memory: Corsair has long been known for high performance quality memory modules. Voodoo elects to use either the PC2-6400 or PC2-8500 DDR2 for powering the Omen's memory subsystems. A default of 2GB of RAM comes with the system and the option to upgrading this to 4GB of total memory.
Hard Drives: A total of four hard drives can be purchased with the Omen system that allow it to have a wide range of storage capacities. Drive sizes and performance vary from a fairly small 74GB high speed Western Digital Raptor drives to the 750GB Seagate monster drives. For those looking for some additional performance or reliability, Voodoo does offer RAID configurations with the drives purchased.
CD/DVD Drives: The Omen comes standard with an 18X dual layer DVD burner that supports the LightScribe media for burning labels directly to compatible media. Users can elect to downgrade this to a LiteOn CD-RW/DVD combo drive. On the other hand, users can also upgrade this to the LG Blu-ray burner that also supports standar DVD media. A second drive of the three different models can also be purchased with the system.
Graphics and Display: Since the Voodoo Omen is about gaming and performance, they use the new GeForce 8800 series graphics cards from NVIDIA. Users can select between the GTS, GTX and new Ultra models. Regardless of the model selected, all of them come with liquid cooling solutions for lower noise operating and potential overclock. Either one card or two in an SLI configuration can be purchased depending upon your budget and your performance requirements.
Audio: The base audio selection for the Voodoo Omen uses the standard on-board audio solution. The most common add-on audio board selection is the Creative X-Fi series, of which Voodoo offers the XtremeGamer and Elite Pro versions. They also offer something different with the X-Meridian 7.1 DTS direct compatible audio card that is great for connecting into a DTS home theater sound system. No speakers are included but a choice between several Creative and Logitech speakers are offered.
Software: Software options are quite limited with the Voodoo Omen. Users can select between the Windows XP, Vista Home Premium and Vista Ultimate editions. They also offer the option of installing two different versions of these three operating systems onto the same system. Productivity software is not included but several versions of Microsoft Office are available. For those inclined to get a game or two with the system, Voodoo will also offer a few but the cost is roughly the same as buying it at retail.
Overall Impressions:

Voodoo has always been among some of the most expensive computer systems on the market. Each of these systems is built by hand and is very customizable in terms of its appearance. The standard system comes in a brushed aluminum case, but for an extra fee they will do a custom paint job of that case from a selection of about 20 or so colors. While this isn't something too unique, Voodoo will also do this process on your keyboard, mouse, speakers and monitor to make the whole system match.

Outside of the aesthetics of the case and its color, Voodoo does put together a very powerful system particularly for gaming. The Intel Core 2 Extreme combined with the GeForce 8800 series graphics cards will definitely put out some spectacular high resolution 3D graphics. Noise typically is an issue for all these high performance parts, but that isn't a problem due to all the major heat components being liquid cooled inside of the Omen system.

If there is any fault with the Voodoo it is the fact that for the base price some of the default components aren't better than they should be. After all, who in their right mind is going to only need an 160GB single hard drive for a system of this caliber and price? And why aren't there more options in terms of proccessors or optional overclocking provided by many other companies?

The Omen is really there for bragging rights though. There aren't many other systems that can compete with the fit and finish that Voodoo has to offer. This is probably one of the big reasons that HP decided to get in on owning the prestige company to capture some of that highly profitable performance market segment.

Velocity Micro Raptor DCX gaming system

Velocity Micro has given the Raptor name to all of its high-end gaming desktop systems. This is regardless of whether it uses the AMD or Intel processors. For the sake of this profile, I'm using the Velocity Micro Raptor DCX gaming system. In addition to this model, they also offer a high end Signature system and an AMD based model the Raptor 64 DualX. Let's see what Velocity Micro has to offer ...
Processor: Velocity Micro has expanded the processor options for the Raptor DCX since I looked at it six months ago. Previously there were only two real choices. Users can now elect between the three different Core Extreme models, the Core 2 Quad processor or an E6700 Core 2 Duo. They also offer a version of the Core 2 Quad that is overclocked but this takes some extra time for them to put together.
Memory: Memory options have decreased with the Raptor DCX compared to previous versions. Now only one memory speed of DDR2-800 or PC2-6400 from Corsair is offered. Users can elect to have either 2GB of total memory installed through 2 DIMMs or 4GB of memory with four modules instead of two.

Hard Drives: Since the Raptor DCX is designed for performance, the base hard drive configuration uses a RAID 0 performance setup using two similar drives. Users can choose between a variety of drives for size and performance ranging from the small but fast Western Digital Raptor drives up to the very spacious Seagate 750GB models. For those that need additional storage space, two additional hard drive slots are available with options for the same drives used in the RAID 0 setup. RAID 1 options are also available for additional data security at the cost of drive space.

CD/DVD Drives: A Lite-On 20x dual layer DVD burner and CD-RW/DVD combo drive make up the optical drives for the Raptor DCX. If users wish to have a drive that is compatible with the LightScribe media for burning labels, an optional Lite-On drive is available for upgrade. Also available is a Plextor drive that offers a slower 18x recording speed but at a high cost, so most people will want to avaoid this.
Graphics and Display: While the GeForce 8800 series graphics cards may be the fastest currently on the market, the base motherboard design of the Raptor DCX is designed to use the ATI CrossFire technology. As such, the highest end graphics available use two ATI Radeon HD 2900 XTcards that provide strong performance but can't equal that of the NVIDIA SLI setup. Users do have the option of using the NVIDIA graphics cards with the system, but only in single card configurations.

Audio: Many game developers use the Creative EAX audio extensions as a way to get more immersive sound. As a result, Velocity Micro offers range of Creative Sound Blaster audio cards with the Raptor DCX. The default card is the XtremeAudio that provides the most basic hardware acceleration with EAX HD support. Users that want extra features can elect to get a higher model such as the Platinum and Elite Pro versions or save money by instead using the integrated 7.1 audio. Speakers are not included but options for several Creative speaker systems are available.

Software: Software wise the Raptor DCX has a very limited selection. The operating system included is Windows Vista home Premium. Users can either upgrade this to the Ultimate edition or downgrade it to the older Windows XP Professional version. The only other applications included are Nero for digital media creation and FutureMark's 3DMark2006 benchmarking program. Several Microsoft productivity suites and Norton Anti-Virus are offered as software options.
Overall Impressions:

The PC gaming hardware market is extremely fickle. With the rapid changes in technology, especially with graphics cards, a flagship system for a company can quickly fall out of grace. Velocity Micro bet their Raptor DCX design around the ATI CrossFire technology, and this was at the top of performance for several months. The problem is that NVIDIA released the GeForce 8800 series of graphics cards and ATI's new HD 2900 XT has failed to live up to the same performance levels as the high end GeForce cards.. This puts the Raptor DCX in a bit of a bind.

Gaming is still very strong with the Raptor DCX, its just not as strong as some of its competition. At least Velocity Micro is offering users the option of purchasing the system with the GeForce 8800 cards even if it is only a single card. Of course, if the fastest graphics is your goal (and it is for many gamers), then Velocity Micro offers the Raptor Signature Edition which has the SLI setup, but the cost is one of the most expensive on the market.

Beyond the graphics, the Raptor DCX does perform quite well, especially for the price. The amount saved on the system over more expensive, overclocked prestige system is more than enough to cover a large high resolution LCD panel.

Noise may be an issue for some individuals with the stock Raptor DCX system due to all the cooling fans needed for the components. Previously, Velocity Micro offered the option for a liquid cooling setup to be installed that can greatly reduced the amount of noise generated by the system but it seems they no longer carry it. This may be due to it using a Thermoelectic cooling system that used a lot of extra power, something the system can't really afford if it has two power hungry ATI graphics cards installed.

BFG 8800 Ultra OC Graphics Card Review

BFG 8800 Ultra OC Graphics Card Review
Today we are going to look at the BFG 8800 Ultra OC graphics card. It does not take a genius to figure out that the BFG 8800 Ultra OC graphics card is overclocked out of the box. This is the highest performing of the air-cooled 8800 Ultra cards that BFG produces. Read on to find out how well the BFG 8800 Ultra OC graphics card performs.

Features & specifications

Like all the other NVIDIA 8800 Ultra graphics cards, the BFG 8800 Ultra OC graphics card has 768Mb of RAM and is fully DirectX 10 compliant. The RAM is GDDR3 and runs at a clock speed of 2220MHz with a core clock running at 630MHz. the shader clock moves up to 1566MHz to round out the clock speeds. All other features of the BFG 8800 Ultra OC graphics card are identical to the 8800 GTX cards I have reviewed as well as being identical to the 8800 Ultra cards I have looked at from other manufacturers. The BFG 8800 Ultra OC graphics card is also HDCP compliant as well. For full specifications check out the BFG website.

Test Machine

Before we get into the performance of the BFG 8800 Ultra OC graphics card, let’s have a look at the specifications for the test machine used in this review.

* CPU- Intel QX6700
* Mainboard- XFX 680i
* RAM- PNY XLR8 PC2-8500 2GB
* Display- Dell 30” 3007WFP-HC LCD
* OS- Windows XP Pro SP2


Benchmarks & testing

I still have not made the move to Vista so I can add DirectX 10 demos to my review regime at this time due to drivers. I have tried Vista, but the drivers for NVIDIA cards are still sketchy and crash with far too much regularity for my liking. Therefore, I will be using my standard tests for the BFG 8800 Ultra OC of FEAR, Battlefield 2142 and 3DMark06.

3DMark06

The first test up for the BFG 8800 Ultra OC is with 3Dmark06 which was ran at stock settings in the application and the NVIDIA control panel. The test results were as follows:

* Total 3DMarks- 12966
* SM2.0- 5356
* HDR/SM3.0- 5458
* CPU- 4212
* Return to Proxycon- 44.440
* Firefly Forest- 44.829
* Canyon Flight- 52.010
* Deep Freeze- 57.147
* CPU1- 1.396
* CPU2- 2.034

FEAR

The next test up for the BFG 8800 Ultra OC is with FEAR. I ran FEAR maxed out with 4x AA, 16x AF, with soft shadows on and a screen resolution of 2560 x 1600. the frame rate data was as follows:

* Min- 27
* Avg- 49
* Max- 107

The percentages show that at these settings 41% of the time frame rates were between 25 and 40 fps and 59% of the time frame rates were greater than 40 fps.

Battlefield 2142

The final test up for the BFG 8800 Ultra OC was with Battlefield 2142. I ran BF 2142 at a screen resolution of 2048 x 1536, all settings on high with 4x AA. I used Fraps to record frame rate data while playing a single player map called “Fall of Berlin.” The frame rate data was as follows:

* Min- 64
* Avg- 72.237
* Max- 89

Final Thoughts

After testing the BFG 8800 Ultra OC it certainly performs well. The only bad thing you can say about the graphics card is that it costs a lot with an MSRP of over $829.99. That said if what you want is the best performance out there for your PC games, the BFG 8800 Ultra OC is one of the best cards your money can buy.

Hypersonic Sonic Boom OCX

Hypersonic built themselves as a company that builds computers for gamers. Much of this business is built around notebook computers with high end discrete graphics cores, but they also make a line of gaming desktop computers. The Sonic Boom OCX is their latest top of the line gaming system that is based upon the Intel Core 2 processor line. Let's see what they have to offer ...

Processor: While most companies are now offering the Core 2 Extreme QX6700 quad core processor from Intel, Hypersonic instead offers the Core 2 Extreme X6800 dual core processor. Since the system is targeted at PC gamers, this isn't much of an issue as the dual core processor fares somewhat better in PC games than the new quad core model. Those wanting the quad core Extreme models or less expensive Core 2 Duo models also have options available to them.

Memory: Typically companies offer users memory bundles when ordering a system. Hypersonic instead offers users to select the individual modules for each of the four memory slots. This gives it great flexibility with memory sizes of 512MB up to 4GB in size, but can cause complications. The best performance is provided when users select pairs of the same memory modules. All memory modules come from Mushkin and are rated at either PC2-6400 or PC2-8000 memory speeds.

Hard Drives: Hypersonic offers a variety of hard drives for use with the Sonic Boom OCX system. They range from the 74GB Raptor drive from Western Digital up to the 750GB drive from Seagate. A total of six hard drives can be purchased with the system letting it have up to a maximum of 4.5 terabytes of storage space, far more than any individual might actually require. Options for RAID 0, RAID 1 or RAID 5 are available for multiple drives.

CD/DVD Drives: There are only three choices for optical drives from HyperSonic. The default selection is the new 18x DVD+/-RW burner from Plextor. Those wanting support for the new high definition platform can upgrade to a Sony Blu-Ray burner. Those not requiring a burner can elect to use a 16x DVD-ROM drive although it doesn't really save much money. Two optical drive bays are available to mix and match the drive combos.

Graphics and Display: Since the Sonic Boom OCX is geared towards gamers, Hypersonic has chosen the NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTS in an SLI setup to be the default selection. This provides plenty of performance in today's games even at high resolutions. Of course, users have the option of upgrading to the 8800 GTX models. They don't currently offer the Ultra models. Those who may want to save some cash can elect to have it come with a single GeForce card or opt to get the new ATI Radeon HD 2900 XT or X1900 cards.

Audio: Previously Hypersonic offered users a choice of cards beyond the Creative Sound Blaster monopoly. They have since given up that by providing the option of using either the integrated 7.1 audio or selecting an X-Fi XtremeGamer, Fatal1ty FPS or Platinum card. Users will need to supply their own speakers as none are offered with the system.

Software: No productivity or security software is offered with the Sonic Boom OCX, but they have a wide range of options for the operating system. In fact, they will even let you purchase the system without any operating system installed at all if you so desire. All versions of the Windows Vista operating system are offered including 64-bit versions of the Business and Ultimate editions. Windows XP Professional and Media Center 2005 are there for those not willing to use the new OS just quite yet.

Overall Impressions:

Hypersonic tends to fall between the price ranges for their performance system. Its not as inexpensive as offerings from companies such as ABS, Gateway or Dell but not as expensive as those found from companies such as Alienware, Falcon and Voodoo. This is evident from the choice of what they do and do not include.

Many of the extremely expensive computers offer a high level of personalization in terms of the case design and colors. Hypersonic only offers three case designs and colors to choose from for the Sonic Boom OCX. This helps keeps the costs down.

Performance is quite strong with the Sonic Boom OCX, especially when it comes to PC gaming. Those choice of components is very well suited to playing current and upcoming games at high resolutions and frame rates. The optional liquid cooling helps reduces the noise from all of the parts that would otherwise require fans. Silencing material for the fans is included in the cost, but it won't make much difference in the noise.

Overclocking is something that is fairly common with many high end systems. Users have the option of getting the system overclocked at no additional cost by Hypersonic. They do not guarantee any specific levels of overclocking and instead state that the level of overclock will be highly dependent upon the components that you select.

So, does the Hypersonic Sonic Boom OCX make the cut as a gaming system? It certainly will appeal to those looking for the performance. The price and features make it a tough call though. There are system that offer similar performance for slightly less, but it is cheaper than those that offer a high level of unique case designs for personality.

Sony VAIO VGN-TX750P/B

The Bottom Line

For those looking for the best in ultraportable systems, it is hard not to top the Sony VAIO VGN-TX750P/B in terms of features. Just be aware that it also carries of hefty price tag.

Pros

• Wide Range of Wireless Networking
• Integrated DVD Burner
• Large Hard Drive

Cons

• Expensive
• Fairly Small Keyboard

Description

• Intel Pentium M 753 (1.2GHz) Ultra Low Voltage Processor
• 512MB PC2-3200 DDR2 Memory
• 80GB 4200rpm ATA Hard Drive
• 4x DVD+/-RW DL Burner
• 11.1" WXGA (1366x768) Wide Screen LCD Panel
• Intel GMA 900 Integrated Graphics with 128MB Shared Memory
• v.90 56Kbps Modem, 10/100 Ethernet, 802.11b/g, Bluetooth and EDGE Cellular Modem
• Two USB 2.0, One FireWire, Memory Stick Slot and One Type II PC Card Slot
• 10.7" x 7.7" x 1.1" @ 2.8 lbs.
• Windows XP Professional, VAIO Media Suite, MS Works 8.5, WinDVD

Guide Review - Sony VAIO VGN-TX750P/B

3/21/06 – Sony is clearly targeting individuals who want a complete and powerful yet highly portable system with their TX series ultraportables. The VAIO VGN-TX750P/B is their lowest cost ultraportable yet it still has a fairly hefty price tag.

Powering the TX750P/B is the Intel Pentium M 753 (1.2GHz) ultra low voltage processor. This provides an excellent mix of performance with very low power usage. It is matched up with 512MB of PC2-3200 DDR2 memory that should let it run most applications without much problem.

Storage is where the TX750P/B is extremely strong. The system integrates a 4x DVD+/-RW dual layer burner into the notebook system. While not as fast as drives on larger notebooks, this is still a great addition for such a small system. In addition to this, Sony includes a very spacious 80GB hard drive for storing all those digital media files in addition to the standard programs.

While many system offer wide screen LCDs now, the Sony TX750P/B offers a true 16:9 aspect ratio. The 1366x768 resolution is equivalent to many HDTVs but in a small 11” format. This makes it perfect as a portable movie platform, but the small screen can be hard to read for those with poor vision.

Another area that the TX750P/B excels is connectivity. In addition to a standard 802.11b/g wireless, it also has an EDGE high speed cellular WAN modem for use with Cingular's network. This does have usage charges but increases connection options when on the road.