Internet Security & Firewalls
posted: September 6, 2001 @ 6:05 EDT by: ryan
RatedPC has posted an article covering the fundamentals of internet security, in addition to a comparison between the leading firewalls. The article goes in-depth explaining how anyone is vulnerable to hackers, and how a firewall can protect you. Each firewall has been tested for security and stability, as well as the amount of resources each require to run. Here's a taster:
"When I found the Shields Up! website last week, I wondered which of the more popular firewall software is actually more secure than the rest. This curiosity led to this article. By now, it is clear who the winner is. While the concept of shielding a PC is the same, ZoneLabs has been able to put this concept to use in the most elegant way. While the free version of ZoneAlarm is sufficient for home use, professionals and business users find the more aggressive protection of ZoneAlarm pro more appealing."
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Auto-Sensing Powerstrip
posted: September 5, 2001 @ 7:10 EDT by: ryan
www.voidyourwarranty.net has another new DIY guide for watercoolers and overclockers. This time, they have a how to for making an auto-sensing power stript that will automatically turn peripherals (pumps) on and off with the PC. Here's a quote:
"One of the most annoying things about my watercooling system used to be that I would forget to turn the pumps on (or off). Slow baking is not good for the CPU, so to prevent this from ever happening, I devised a simple circuit to power my pumps up and down with my computer. Sure, there are commercially available models, but those are expensive. You can build one for less, DIY style."
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System Coolers Review
posted: September 5, 2001 @ 7:09 EDT by: ryan
LITTLEWHITEDOG.COM has just completed their review of the 2CoolPC Plus and Turbo System Coolers. They were each tested in three completely different cases to show how the cooling abilities can vary from case to case. Quote:
"Just about all PC enthusiasts know heat is the number one enemy when it comes to your CPU. An overheating CPU can cause lock-ups, the ever so dreaded "Blue Screen Of Death", and numerous broken mice (depending on your temper). Of course you can get yourself the best heatsink on the market to help fight this "heated" battle, but sometimes that's just not enough. One item often overlooked is quality case cooling. Of course, the ideal situation would be to get all of the hot air out of your case, and bring in new fresh air from outside. Not everybody has the time nor desire to start cutting their own holes and mounting case fans, so today we are going to look at an easier method of stirring up that stagnant air."
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OCZ Titan II Review
posted: September 4, 2001 @ 2:26 EDT by: ryan
TweakTown has just posted a review of the OCZ Titan II MX400 SE Video Card:
"As I hinted to in the intro, OCZ has a hard time leaving well enough alone (thank goodness), so they went out and hand-picked some MX400 based cards that were running the 5ns memory. They tossed on a Blue Orb (with a generous coating of a silver TIM), and then clocked it to stock speed settings of 200MHz core and 200MHz memory. For those who have kept up with the newer technologies, you’ll recognize the fact that the 200MHz core frequency is the same that is set on today’s GeForce3 cards!
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Cooler Material Istallation
posted: September 4, 2001 @ 2:25 EDT by: ryan
PC Hardware published their Cooler Interface Material Installation Guide. Take a look to the eight steps article:
"The results proved us that without any interface material the CPU can easily burn even with a high quality cooler! So, without a thermal interface our CPU reached 62C, with improper installed thermal grease it reached 48C and with proper installed thermal grease the temperature reading was around 44C. Take notice that we used a Duron, which does not have the power requirements of a Tbird and we also used thermal grease, not thermal compound."
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AOpen's 850/RDR Review
posted: September 4, 2001 @ 2:24 EDT by: ryan
T-Break has just published a review of AOpen's 850/RDR based motherboard the A4XT.
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Hardware Price Index
posted: September 4, 2001 @ 2:22 EDT by: ryan
The Tech Zone has updated their Hardware Price Index for Tuesday, September 4th. Most CPU prices stay the same or dropped 50 cents to $1.00. The best deal is still the TBird 1.33Ghz at just $101.95! 128 Megs of Corsair PC-133 SDRAM is just $32.80 or you can get a 256 Meg stick for just $30.50! Check all the prices here.
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ECTS Sunday Diary
posted: September 3, 2001 @ 9:32 EDT by: ryan
EuroGamer just posted an update to their ECTS diary covering Sunday, including mentions of Ghost Recon, Warrior Kings, World of Warcraft, Comanche 4 and Call of Cthulhu amongst other games.
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OCZ Titan 3 GF3 Review
posted: September 3, 2001 @ 9:31 EDT by: ryan
Stock GeForce 3 not fast enough for you? Then take a look The Tech Zone's review of the Titan 3 video card. This is the fastest GeForce 3 video card in the world! While other GeForce 3 cards ship running at 200Mhz core and 460Mhz memory, the Titan 3 runs at 215/515! Check out the full review here.
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Ricoh 20x10x40 CDRW Review
posted: September 3, 2001 @ 9:31 EDT by: ryan
Overclockers Online has slapped up a review of a piece of hardware that's actually very useful for everyone who has a PC, the the Ricoh 20x10x40 high speed CDReWriter. Gimme the speed! Snip:
"More important is the Justlink technology on this writer to prevent those annoying buffer-underruns. Don't know what this is? Well, a buffer-underrun occurs when your system (and the buffer) can't provide data to the writer fast enough, even when the writer has a 2MB buffer like this MP7200A. This causes the writer to stop the burnprocess and makes your CD useless (this is called a coaster). Justlink prevents this buffer-underruns from happening. Justlink shouldn't affect the reading quality in the slightest way because it leaves an extremely short link (the patch between the data when the writer stops to let the buffer fill up again) of 2 µm or under. Isn't that great?!"
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Fan Adapter Kit Review
posted: September 3, 2001 @ 9:29 EDT by: ryan
Here's our Labor Day edition. MikHailTech takes a look at HighSpeedPC's bundle featuring a clear 60-80mm fan adapter, fan, grill, screws, and a 3-4pin adapter. Too bad it doesn't perform so well. Here's a quote:
"The general consensus about the functionality of an adapter and it's purpose is simple. A fan with a larger diameter (and in turn larger motor/fins) can push more air than a smaller fan, or at least the same amount with a reduced noise level because it won't have to spin as fast. Logic. However, the effectiveness of such an adapter is most due on it's design and NOT the fan. Which is something that needs a bit of work."
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VIA KT266A Review
posted: September 3, 2001 @ 9:28 EDT by: ryan
X-bit labs has posted VIA KT266A review. An officially launched today new revision of the DDR chipset for Athlon CPUs from VIA, KT266A, beats all the competitors.
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Max Payne Review
posted: September 2, 2001 @ 2:20 EDT by: ryan
T-Break has just finished up the review for Max Payne and here's a bit from it:
"There’s a little something about that word that makes me dread any game that uses too much of it. A classic example of hype over substance was the ill fated Diakatana. After a lengthy development period, Ion Storm finally released the game to an extremely hyped-up public. To say the game bombed would be putting it mildly. Halo from Bungie-Microsoft seems to be following in Diakatana’s footsteps- what was once an eagerly awaited (and much hyped) title has now degenerated to ‘just another’ squad based game. In both cases, hype served to create and destroy."
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CompuNurse Review
posted: September 1, 2001 @ 6:23 EDT by: ryan
Webtxt.com has just completed a review of the CompuNurse digital thermometer. Here is a clipping from the article:
"High Temperatures can reduce the life of your peripherals or even kill your computer. Therefore, it is not uncommon for a motherboard manufacturer to include thermistors and programs that enable the end user to view important temperatures such as the on-die CPU temperature. However, the accuracy of these thermistors and programs has long been questioned. This is where an independent device such as the CompuNurse comes in."
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Light Tape Kits
posted: September 1, 2001 @ 6:21 EDT by: ryan
New case mod lighting system arrives today. HighSpeed PC is now offering Light Tape Kits. Light Tape will add vibrant glowing color to anything you stick it to. The tape has a self-stick backing, it can be bent and cut into separate pieces. Light Tape uses minimal power and produces no heat.
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Antec SX 12-40 Review
posted: September 1, 2001 @ 6:20 EDT by: ryan
There is an Antec SX 12-40 Full Tower Case review up over at G3D.
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Tyan Tiger MP Review
posted: August 31, 2001 @ 11:54 EDT by: ryan
Amdmb.com has posted a review of the new Dual Athlon Motherboard from Tyan, the Tiger MP:
"With this in mind, Tyan has primed the launch of the Tiger MP to head in the direction of the mass multi-processor market. The major drawback of Tyan’s previous attempt at the dual-Athlon market was the steep price. At launch, the board was hard to find for less than $500. It is now settled in at around $400-420 or so, but that is still much to high for most home users to consider for their personal machine."
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Cyber Cooler P-5700
posted: August 31, 2001 @ 11:52 EDT by: ryan
GideonTech has posted a review of the Cyber Cooler P-5700 Copper Cooler.
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RD3 Gladiator Review
posted: August 31, 2001 @ 11:50 EDT by: ryan
TweakMax has posted a review of the "RD3 Gladiator" round cable:
"In the RD3 cable, a uniquely designed noise-shielding structure is used. The data signals are surrounded by ground wires while the whole cable itself is covered by a metal mesh, preventing any electrical noise to be emitted, or most importantly, entered. Furthermore, the connectors are attached to the cable using ferrite cores, also surrounded by a copper film connected to the metal mesh. Compared to most other round cables, this one is even more flexible since it maintains its shape after it has been bent/formed."
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D30B Server Case Review
posted: August 31, 2001 @ 11:48 EDT by: ryan
Virtual-Hideout has just posted their review of the Directron D30B Server Case. Here's a quote:
"It's hard to give my final thoughts on this case. The case itself is, as we all know, a fantastic case overall. It's been a huge success and was the hardest item for retailers to stock for the longest time. But this review is more of "How is the D30b?" Well....the insides are great and the outside isn't. Unfortunately, because of the excessively rough texture of the finish, Anyone who buys this over the D30 for the pimpy black looks and braggin rights will be dissappointed. This particular version is just too hard on my eyes for me to wholey recommend. The paint finish should be the last thing you have to worry about when buying a brand new case right? And since your gonna be looking at the outside of the case most of the time, You want it to look its best. This isn't the case with this case......ermm........you know what I mean..LOL!"
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Netgear RT314 Review
posted: August 30, 2001 @ 10:53 EDT by: ryan
The Overclocker Cafe' has just finished up their review of the Netgear RT314 Cable/DSL Router. For you broadband folks out there, this may have to be on your short list of new toys.
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Samsung 16x DVD Review
posted: August 30, 2001 @ 10:52 EDT by: ryan
PCStats has psoted up a review of the Samsung SD-616 16X DVD-ROM:
"One of the latest drives to make itself know is this offering from Samsung, the SD-616 DVD-ROM. It's one of the newer DVD drives on the market and is rated at a speed of 16x DVD, and 48x CD. To test the SD-616's performance, I have pitted it against one of the most popular DVD units on the market today, the very fast Pioneer DVD-106S, which is also rated at 16x DVD, but with a slower 40x CD speed."
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SwifTech MCX-370 Review
posted: August 30, 2001 @ 10:51 EDT by: ryan
MikHailTech has taken a look at Swiftech's first revision to their already awesome heatsink, the MCX-370. Here's a quote:
"The main idea behind the use of these rubber spacers is twofold. First off, they reduce noise, about 1-2 decibels according to Swiftech. This is achieved because the fan is no longer in direct contact with the heatsink, and the rubber absorbs a great deal of the produced vibration. Secondly, they actually improve airflow. In the older MC-370 there was a "dead zone" right below the fan, as the motor sat on the pins and no air could get in there. Also, fans tend to heat up a bit, so having a warm motor on a heatsink is not such a "hot" idea. Having the fan a bit above the 'sink allows for air from the fins to creep under the dead zone and cool those previously "inactive" pins."
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Philips MMS305 Speakers
posted: August 30, 2001 @ 10:49 EDT by: ryan
Void Your Warranty has posted up a review of the Philips MMS305 flat panel speakers. Here's a quote from the review:
"One game that sounded awesome on these speakers was Max Payne. Dialogue was extremely crisp, and police cars in the beginning of the game sounded very real. On the other hand, playing Q3A made me miss my Klipsch Promedias badly. I missed the rumbling subwoofer from the Promedias, and how they would rock my room every time I shot the rocket launcher. Don't get me wrong; the MMS305's didn't sound bad but bass seemed to be lacking quite a bit."
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24x10x32x Review
posted: August 30, 2001 @ 10:47 EDT by: ryan
Gaming In 3D has posted up a review of a new SCSI plextor CD writer running at 24x10x32x.
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Cyber Cooler Review
posted: August 28, 2001 @ 10:52 EDT by: ryan
Cyber Cooler has taken a look at Cyber Cooler's small (and probably not Duron/Tbird meant) copper heatsink.
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Thermalright CB-6L Review
posted: August 28, 2001 @ 10:50 EDT by: ryan
casejunkiez.com regular Lombers got his mitts on Thermalright's latest foray into the CPU cooler world, the CB-6L hybrid copper/aluminium heatsink. Here's a quote:
"The Aluminium part of the heatsink is made using the common extrusion method, but Thermalright doesn't say what the thermal resistance of the heatsink is rated at. Looking a little closer, you are immediately bought back to reality when you realize that this is probably one of the lowest profile heatsinks you have ever come across. My second thoughts were "how the hell is this thing gonna cool my tbird??..." Well Thermaltake rate the CB-6L "for AMD Duron/Thunderbird(Socket A) 1Ghz & up"
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Mechcommander 2 Review
posted: August 28, 2001 @ 10:47 EDT by: ryan
EXHardware has posted up a new review of of Mechcommander 2. Here's a snip from the review:
"Like the previous Mechcommander, Mechcommander 2 has RPs(resource point), but this time, resource points do not buy/sell/repair your mechs, c-bills(the currency used in battletech) does! RPs are used to deploy reinforcements in the mission, this is a feature I really liked in mechcommander 2, I could deploy a repair vehicle to repair my mechs when there were no Repair bays around, or a fixed artillery to help me batter down my enemy. One thing they forgot in Mechcommander 2 is mech repair cost and wounded pilots, amazingly after a mission, all your mechs are automatically repaired with no cost and all wounded pilots and fully healed, this makes money management and pilots way too linear."
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Hardware Price Index
posted: August 28, 2001 @ 10:45 EDT by: ryan
The Tech Zone has updated their Hardware Price Index for Tuesday, August 28th. Most CPU prices stay the same or drop a buck or two. The best deal is the TBird 1.33Ghz at just $103.00! 128 Megs of Corsair PC-133 SDRAM is just $32.00 or you can get a 256 Meg stick for just $33.00!
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ATI Radeon VE Review
posted: August 28, 2001 @ 10:44 EDT by: ryan
NeoSeeker posted thier review of the ATI Radeon VE Review.
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SiS 735 Review
posted: August 27, 2001 @ 11:17 EDT by: ryan
The SiS 735 is a chipset which has brought much attention in the tech-world lately and TweakMax has a review.
"When the SiS 735 finally was released it turned out to be a really impressive piece of engineering, beating the competition including AMD 760 in most benchmarks. The reliability, stability and performance showed so far, makes the future look bright for this chipset. The fact that it's also a low cost solution puts even more pressure on the competition."
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Matrox G550 Review
posted: August 27, 2001 @ 11:15 EDT by: ryan
NeoSeeker has posted their review of Matrox's latest Graphics Card to hit the market.. the G550.
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Pentium 4 2Ghz Today
posted: August 27, 2001 @ 11:13 EDT by: ryan
Hardware-Unlimited, part of the 3D-Unlimited Network, has posted a review of the new Pentium 4 2Ghz processor that hit the market today! It's now running on the new socket-478 design.
There is also a review up at HotHardware.
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VIA 686b Review
posted: August 27, 2001 @ 11:12 EDT by: ryan
Tuan has taken a look at the notorious VIA 686b south bridge and the combination of six different sound cards. The tests were done to look for any data corruption or sound skipping that may be associated to either the 686b south bridge or the sound card. Cards from Creative, Turtle Beach, Philips, Zoltrix, Abit, and VIA were used. Here is a snip:
"Nearly 6 months later, how well do the various fixes for the 686B bug work? Today we shall find out by using the various 4in1’s, George’s patch, and of course sound card replacements with an old and newer BIOS for a KT133A motherboard to see if there have been any changes since the issue was first discovered. Just to make sure if the problem occurs in newer VIA chipsets, we will also use a KT266 board to verify that the SB Live problems don’t occur in future VIA Southbridge’s."
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24x10x40x CD-RW Review
posted: August 27, 2001 @ 11:11 EDT by: ryan
CD-Rewritable drives are fast becoming a must-have device in anyone's computer. A 12x10x32 with burn-proof technology will probably cost you just below S$200. But how about paying just a little more, and end up with the latest 24x10x40 drive instead? Here's a clip from HardwareZone's review:
"The LiteOn recorder may not have the Plextor's 'robustness' nor Yamaha's sleek asthetics, and granted its reading and DAE results are a bit of a disappointment as well. But know that you're looking at a real affordable CD-Rewritable drive that gets the job done. As mentioned earlier, the LiteOn LTR-24102B is one excellent performance-to-cost solution. For just below S$300, you have a reliable drive that burns fast, quietly and error-free. If you're on the hunt for a 24x recorder, I would say the LiteOn drive is one option you should find hard to miss.
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