ASUS Unleashes M4A Boards w 8-Phase Power

Ultimate Power Designs for Pushing AM3 CPU to the Limit

ASUS M4 Series Motherboards with Exclusive 8-Phase Power Design Provides Stability and Performance to Unleash Maximum CPU Potentials

ASUS, world-leading producer of motherboards, has today launched the brand new M4 Series motherboards to fully support the AMD? next generation AM3 processors. The Phenom II AM3 processors are able to support up to DDR 3 2000MHz memory speed, so DDR3 tech. is finally realized in AMD platform. To unleash the AM3 processors’ full potential, ASUS’ constant development of the 8-Phase power design has resulted in superb performances—reaching an excellent 91% in power efficiency. With the ASUS TurboV’s intuitive overclocking utility, and the easy-to-use ASUS Turbo Key, users can easily overclock and overvoltage the new processors like never before. The ASUS M4 Series thus brings the AM3 CPU performance into full play—providing users with the perfect choice for the AM3 processors usage.

Breakthrough 8-Phase Power Design Tailored for Optimal Performance

ASUS is proud to introduce the brand new 8-Phase power design on the M4 Series; which with the highest phase number of VRM power in the AMD platform, leads industry specifications. The ASUS M4 Series is also designed with an additional 1 to 2 power phases dedicated to the CPU embedded memory and HT controller—guaranteeing delivery of appropriate voltages for more stable operations and longer CPU lifespan—regardless of heavy or light system loading. ASUS has also adopted EPU function—a well-liked feature in ASUS P5Q series launch, in AMD platform. This unique EPU technology will provide total system power management by detecting current PC loadings and intelligently moderating power in real-time. The ASUS M4 Series also utilizes high quality 5000-hour long lifespan (at 105ºC working temperatures) capacitors that improves power efficiency and lowers system temperatures—providing a durable working environment and better overclocking capabilities.

Easy and Outstanding Overclocking with Turbo Key and TurboV

The ASUS Turbo Key is an exclusive feature that transforms the PC power button into a physical overclocking button. Completing the easy setup provides users with the ability to boost performance levels with just a push of a button—presenting users with faster, more powerful performances without interrupting ongoing work or games—overclocking has never been easier! For hardcore users, the ASUS M4 Series also features TurboV, an advanced overclocking tool that utilizes a micro-controller to provide precise 0.02V voltage adjustments. Furthermore, users can save their preferred OC profiles and easily apply the best O.C. settings for different scenarios. Now anyone can enjoy performance boosts—without needing to exit the operating system or rebooting; -with the ASUS M4 Series motherboards.

M4A Series product list:

M4A79T Deluxe

M4A79 Deluxe

M4A78T-E

M4A78-E

M4A78 PRO

Chipset

790FX+SB750

790GX+SB750

780G+SB700

System bus

HyperTransport™ 3.0: up to 5200 MT/s

Memory

DDR3 1600(O.C.)/ 1333/1066 MHz

DDR2 1066/

800/667 MHz

DDR3 1600(O.C.)/ 1333/1066 MHz

DDR2 1066/

800/667 MHz

DDR2 1066/

800/667 MHz

Graphics

N/A

ATI Radeon™ HD 3300

ATI Radeon™

HD 3200

PCIe x 16 slot

x4

x4

x2

x2

x1

Gbit LAN

x1

Audio

8CH HD Audio

Storage

1* Ultra DMA
5* SATA 3Gb/s

1* eSATA 3Gb/s

1* Ultra DMA
6*SATA 3Gb/s

1394a

Yes

-

M4N Series product list

M4N82 Deluxe

M4N72-E

M4N78 PRO

Chipset

NVIDIA

nForece 980a SLI

NVIDIA

nForece 750a SLI

NVIDIA

GeForce 8300

System bus

HyperTransport™ 3.0: up to 5200 MT/s

Memory

DDR2 1066/800/667 MHz

Graphics

GeForce 8 Series GPU for Hybrid SLI output only

GeForce 8300 GPU

PCIe x 16 slot

x3 (3-Way SLI)

x2 (SLI)

X1

Gbit LAN

x1

Audio

8CH HD Audio

Storage

1* Ultra DMA
5* SATA 3Gb/s

1* eSATA 3Gb/s

1* Ultra DMA
6* SATA 3Gb/s

1394a

Yes

Yes

-

Deadlight la configuration minimum et quelques screenshots

Il y a quelques mois Deadlight a été l'une des stars du Summer of Arcade sur le Xbox Live. Le 25 octobre prochain, le jeu de Tequila Works resurgira sur PC avec ses zombies et son atmosphère angoissante. Ce dernier se dévoile au travers de quelques images. On apprend aussi davantage sur la configuration minimum que demandera le jeu:

OS : Windows XP SP3 / Windows Vista
Processeur : 2 GHz ou plus
RAM : 2 Go
Carte graphique : Shader Model 3.0, DirectX 9.0c
Espace disque : 5 Go

Pour cette version PC vous aurez aussi quelques petits bonus : une nouvelle difficulté, le mode Cauchemar et l'OST sera fournie avec le jeu. En attendant la sortie prochaine de cette version PC, vous pouvez toujours lire notre test de la version 360 de Deadlight.

· Voir les images de Deadlight
· Lire le test de Deadlight sur Xbox 360
· Forum Deadlight

Apple iPad 3 expected to launch on 7 March

The next version of Apples iPad is expected to launch on 7 March at a scheduled event organised by the Cupertino, California-based company.

Apple has not confirmed the product launch, but strongly hinted at it in its invitation to journalists. “We have something you really have to see. And touch,” it said, accompanying an image of what appeared to be an iPad touchscreen, according to the BBC.The iPad 2 launched in March of last year, suggesting a trend for launches of the Apple tablet range, but the original iPad released in early April, so we cannot necessarily assume anything on the basis of dates.Sales of the first two iPad models have topped 50 million units worldwide, which, when we consider the high price tag involved, is a lot of profit for the company.With the death of Apples co-founder and former CEO, Steve Jobs, last year investors have expressed concern about whether or not the company can continue to push forward. The launch of the iPhone 4S disappointed investors and fans alike, so many eyes will be watching the iPad 3 to see if it can steal back market share that is being slowly lost to rivals like Samsungs Galaxy Tab and Amazons dirt cheap Kindle Fire, the latter of which now has its own competition in the form of a $199 Barnes & Noble Nook Tablet.All is not rosey for Apple, however, as it it is embroiled in a patent war with rival companies, with lawsuits fired back and forth. Initially it appeared to have the upper hand, but recent struggles with Samsung, Motorola Mobility and Proview have shown that its best not to throw stones when living in a glass house.Source: BBC

Antarctica WaterChill CPU block

To demonstrate asetek's position as the leadingmanufacturer of water cooling solutions and to fulfil the demands from the mosthardcore enthusiasts, asetek has released a new and EXTREMLY POWERFUL CPUCOOLING BLOCK: The Antarctica CPU Cooler Block. The Antarctica CPU cooling blockrepresents the following qualities:

BEST PERFORMANCE & OVERCLOCKING POTENTIAL IN THE WORLD
NEW IMPROVED BLOCK WITH STREAM CHANNELS(tm) FOR BETTER WATER FLOW AND HEATREMOVAL
TWO WATER OUTLETS FOR MORE AGGRESSIVE WATER FLOW
NEW IMPROVED LID AND PUSH-ON FITTINGS FOR EASIER ASSEMBLY
STRONG VISUAL IMPACT FOR CASE MODIFICATIONS
SUPPORTS INTEL S478, AMD SOCKET A (S462), AMD ATHLON FX (S939/S940) & AMDATHLON64 (S754)

ASRock's PCI Express 3.0 motherboards unveiled

Details of several new motherboards with support for PCI Express 3.0 from ASRock have turned up, including specs of a couple of upcoming models. The most exciting model is the feature packed Z68 Extreme7 which has been given quite a makeover since Computex, not in terms of features, but in terms of looks.

Although four new models have shown up, only two are actually new, as all four models have the Gen3 moniker tacked on the end. The two boards that dont appear to have changed much is the P67 Extrem4 Gen3 which has been given an overhaul with regards to the choice of colours and of course PCI Express 3.0 switches for the x16 PCI Express slots has otherwise not changed at all from what we can tell. The same goes for the Z68 Extreme4 Gen3, which got the same treatment as the P67 Extreme4 Gen3.

The Z68 Etreme3 Gen3 is a brand new model though that slots in between the Z68 Pro3 and the Z68 Extreme4. Unlike the previous two models, this one has been given a set of new chipset heatsinks as well which look rather quite stylish. Its quite hard to see any details from the tiny picture though, but the specs give us an idea of whats on offer. The board has a pair of x16 PCI Express slots that operate in dual x8 mode when both are in use, two x1 PCI Express slots and two PCI slots. Around the back the board has what we think is four USB 2.0 ports, two USB 3.0 ports, an eSATA port, Gigabit Ethernet, 7.1-channel audio and a D-Sub, HDMI and DVI port. The board also features power, reset and clear CMOS buttons, but for everything else were going to have to wait until it launches.

Finally we have ASRocks new flagship board, the Z68 Extreme7 Gen3 and although there was a version on display at Computex, the revised version doesnt look anything like it. ASRock has gone for a design that has ended up somewhere between Gigabytes UD7 and Asus ROG series of boards, although there are a few things that couldve been better in our opinion. The new heatsinks and gold capacitors look very modern and high-tech though, even though they are unlikely to offer any extra benefits over more regular looking components.

The slot-layout is far from ideal and ASRock has kitted out the board with an nForce 200 chip which enables 3-way SLI and according to the spec sheet the top slot is the only x16 PCI Express 3.0 slot, whereas the other four x16 slots are stuck at PCI Express 2.0. Theres also a single PCI Express x1 and a single PCI slot on the board. A very strange setup, but at least its something unique to this board.

ASRock has gone feature crazy on the Z68 Extreme7 with no less than four additional SATA 6Gbps ports, an eSATA controller, three USB 3.0 host controllers and a pair of Gigabit Ethernet controllers. Due to lack of PCI Express lanes from the chipset, ASRock has as such had to add a PLX bridge chip to handle all the peripheral controllers. The board also has headers for eight USB 2.0 ports, two USB 3.0 ports and a FireWire port.

Around the back, unless ASRock has changed things around since Computex, there are two USB 2.0 ports, four USB 3.0 ports, two Ethernet ports, a FireWire port, an eSATA port, 7.1-channel audio with optical S/PDIF and a full set of display connectivity options which consist of a DisplayPort, HDMI, DVI and D-Sub connectors. Finally we have power, reset and clear CMOS buttons alongside a POST 80 debug LED. The real question is how much this board will cost, as we expect this to be the most expensive motherboard ASRock has ever launched to date.

Source: TweakTown, VR-Zone Forums

ASUS will ship Padfone with Ice Cream Sandwich preloaded

Remember our coverage about ASUSs upcoming smartphone-tablet hybrid mobile computing device that was eventually revealed to be the Padfone in Computex this year? Well, if you happen to be interested in getting your hands on one of these Padfones on launch day, wee have got an additional bit of good news for youu. Apparently, the Taiwanese OEM has announced that it plans to ship the Padfone with Googles upcoming version of the Android operating system, which has been dubbed "Ice Cream Sandwich", preloaded into the device.

As most people will undoubtedly know by now, hopes and expectations forr Ice Cream Sandwich are high, as it is with this particular version of the Android operating system that Google is aiming to merge both the smartphone-centric and the tablet-optimized branches of Android back into a single unified release. This makes sense, considering how the Padfones biggest selling point is its ability to switch between smartphone mode and tablet mode in an instant as soon as the smartphone component of the Padfone is locked into its tablet-sized cradle. As such, a unified version of Android which is capable of working well on both form factors is integral to the Padfones success; this might explain why ASUS has chosen to hold out on the Padfones official launch until such an operating system is made available for it to run off on.

Lastly, there has also been some whispers of what appears to be a Padfone successor currently in the works over at ASUSs labs, along with some unverfied claims that the next-gen Padfone might certain additional technologies such as support for mobile broadband connectivity via 4G and glassless 3D display. However, considering how the first-generation Padfone has yet to even see the light of day on retail shelves, lets just say that we will cross that particular bridge when we actually come to it.

Source: Netbooknews.com

ASUS Offers Express Gate Feature For Notebooks

Notebooks have become indispensable both at work and at home as Internetrelated activities take an increasingly important role in our daily life. Withits continuous effort to provide the most advanced technology with the simplestusage experience, ASUS unveils the latest feature, Express Gate. This additionalbuilt-in operating system enables ultra fast boot up for access to a host ofmost commonly used features on its full range of notebooks based on Intel’slatest platform.

With this truly convenient, instant access to the Internet, users can now send alast-minute email before rushing off to work, browse the Web in betweenappointments and reach friends and family via instant messenger all in the blinkof an eye. In addition, Express Gate has also effectively created two computersin one that it is now easier to share the computer. When under the Express Gateenvironment, Internet, music and photos can be shared without disturbing thefiles and setup in the Windows operating system reserved for personal use.

“ASUS is always committed to bring customers the most innovative solutions thathelps to simplify usage experience while enjoying the best performance,” saidTony Chen, General Manager of ASUS Notebook Business Unit. ”With Express Gate,users will enjoy instant Internet access with new levels of fast speed and easeof use like never before!”

In a nutshell, Express Gate is…

Easy to use! Intelligent technology that’s simply easy to use.Online access in 8 seconds! No more waiting and ultra fast accessProtected privacy for sharing a computer! Friends & family can use yournotebook to go online, use IM, listen to the music and view photos allwithout access to your data in Windows environment!Energy saving! No need to leave system on all-day just to avoid longboot up timeInstant photo sharing & web blogs update!Improved usage experience & enhanced efficiency! Perfect for today’sbusy lifestyles