Lnx2Mac Releases New RTL81xx Beta Realtek Network Driver

type="html">At long last! Lnx2Mac has released a new public beta version of his Realtek RTL81xx ethernet driver. It now supports every single Gigabyte 1156/1155/1366 motherboard that uses a Realtek ethernet controller!Read all of the details and download the official installer on Lnx2Mac's Blog.For discussions on this and other topics, register today at tonymacx86.com!

ASUS GeForce GTS 450 Direct CU Silent Video Card Review

The GTS 450 from NVIDIA launched a little over a year ago; on September 13th, 2010 to be exact. For that reason, you can't help but imagine my surprise when ASUS wanted to shoot over a new version of the card as it was introduced to the new Direct CU Silent family.

Knowing there's a clear market for low end silent cards, I was happy to look at it, but I knew that running it through our normal benchmark line-up was a bit pointless. Instead we'd use our smaller format here today to look at it and just cover what it does and who will most likely use it.

The GTS 450 Direct CU Silent doesn't hold any surprises when it comes to checking out the package; we've got a fairly standard setup going on and the front gives us a good idea of what's going on with the Silent cooler while the back expands on some of the features.

Being a lower end card, we've got a pretty small bundle going on with just a manual and driver CD included in the box. Honestly, it's not much of a surprise, but the main thing you'll probably grab off the CD is the driver, although you'd be better off heading over to the NVIDIA site to grab the latest.

Looking at the card, you can see we've got a massive heatsink going on that has got two heat pipes coming out of the top. The overall look is really nice, though, with the black heatsink and black PCB which is something that's normally skipped on the lower end cards.

While we lack any need for an extra power connector on the card, you can see closer to the front of the card we've got a single SLI connector. The problem is with the way the heat pipes go, it's not much use. To be honest, though, the chances of anyone actually wanting to SLI one of these cards is extremely slim as it is.

If you wanted more performance, you'd be better off opting for something higher up instead of going down the path of adding a second one into the mix. Before we talk about the performance, though, let's just quickly have a look what's going on with the I/O side of things.

Connectivity comes in the form of a Dual-Link DVI, VGA and HDMI connector. The combination of the silent cooler and HDMI port are probably the two stand-out items that make it an attractive option for anyone interested in a silent HTPC card.

Since the launch of the GTS 450 we've seen two versions introduced; we've got the higher end GDDR5 model and the lower end GDDR3 model. The card we're looking at today is based on the latter, meaning the core comes in at 595MHz and the Shader clock comes in at 1189MHz.

As for the GDDR3 memory, we've got a total of 1GB of that and it comes in at a clock speed of 800MHz or 1600MHz DDR. These clocks are a bit lower than the GDDR5 model, but of course the big advantage is that the card simply isn't going to run as hot. Combined with the fact that the aim of the model isn't really a hard core gamer, it's not a big issue. It's worth knowing, though, that the card is based on the GDDR3 version instead of the GDDR5 one.

Firing up 3DMark 11, we're able to get a good idea of how performance sits when compared to other models. Scoring P1776 puts it in line with an AMD HD 6570. On the gaming side of things, that means we'll be able to pull some playable FPS at 1680 x 1050 under older games like Resident Evil 5.

If we fire up Far Cry 2 at 1680 x 1050, we can see we've got a minimum of 23 FPS and average of 56 FPS making for some "smoothish" game play. Essentially we want to boost that minimum up to 30 and that could be done by dropping our in-game detail down. Considering we're dealing with a completely silent card, the performance isn't too bad. Again, the design does make for a card that's better opted for something in a media centre PC.

Taking a closer look at the cooler, it's of course silent and on the heat front it runs very well. Chugging along at idle, the card is running at 36c. During our game testing the card only got up to as high as 62c which is impressive and not a number we'd be worried about.

As for power draw, the most we saw it peak at was 194 watt on our system and considering our system is actually quite high end, for any kind of media PC you're going to get away with a PSU that a mouse on a wheel is literally running.

We know that the GTS 450 Direct CU Silent isn't going to be breaking any records here or be going into the PC of any serious gamer. Instead, it's going to be an option for people who want something completely silent in a media PC or are maybe wanting something silent that can run those older Source based games at 1680 x 1050 or lower.

Power draw is extremely low and looking at the heat numbers, we can see that the cooler while being silent does a good job of keeping the temperature down.

Sure, the GTS 450 Direct CU Silent isn't for everyone, but there's a clear market for it and ASUS make sure that if you're in that market, they've got a card for you.

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NVIDIA to start 28nm mobile production in December

FUD Zilla claims NVIDIA's first 28nm mobile GPUs will hit production in December, but the site also heard that 28nm yields are not good.

The aim is for the Maho Bay platform to get its 28nm Nvidia chips and continue the good transition of Optimus graphics. The possible launch timeframe is going to be set by Intel, and we hear it will happen either in March or April of 2012.

The production of mobile chips starts in December at the latest, which means that these chips have been taped out for a while now. However, 28nm is currently not doing as great as some companies would make you think, as the yields are not good.

NVIDIA to start 28nm mobile production in December - More news at DV Hardware

Intel dumps MeeGo in favor of Tizen

EE Times reports Intel has dropped support for its MeeGo mobile operating system, instead the company will promote the Tizen project. The initial release of Tizen is anticipated by Q1 2012 and the first Tizen-based devices should follow by mid-2012.

Chip giant Intel has decided to drop its MeeGo mobile operating system in favor of the Tizen project announced by two Linux-oriented non-profit groups, the LiMo Foundation and the Linux Foundation.

That is according to Imad Sousou, the director of Intel's Open Source Technology Center, writing to this effect in a MeeGo blog entry that is now hosted on the Linux Foundation website.

The Tizen project is hosted at the Linux Foundation and offers an operating system and an HTML5 development environment within which applications can be produced to run on multiple types of hardware. Smartphones, tablet computers and automobile infotainment are all being targeted by Tizen

Intel dumps MeeGo in favor of Tizen - More news at DV Hardware

Amazon reveals a $79 Kindle

Amazon makes eReaders cheaper than ever with the introduction of a $79 ad-supported Kindle. This new edition weighs 170g and is 18 percent smaller than the third-gen Kindle, but there's no touchscreen nor a keyboard. Additionally, the low price is only for the ad-supported version, if you want no ads you'll have to pay $109 for your Kindle.

The previous-generation Kindle has been rebranded to Kindle Keyboard, the WiFi-only version with Special Offers now starts at $99 ($139 without ads) while the 3G edition costs $139 ($189 without ads).

The new latest generation Kindle is for readers who want the lightest, most compact Kindle at an incredible price. The latest generation Kindle features a new design that is 30 percent lighter at just 5.98 ounces, 18 percent smaller, and turns pages 10 percent faster. Kindle is now small and light enough to fit easily in your pocket and carry with you everywhere, yet it still features the same 6-inch, most advanced electronic ink display that reads like real paper, even in bright sunlight.

The new latest generation Kindle is only $79. Kindle is available starting today at www.amazon.com/kindle.

Amazon reveals a $79 Kindle - More news at DV Hardware

Amazon Kindle Touch starts at $99

Another new device in Amazon's lineup is the Kindle Touch, a long-awaited touchscreen variant of the company's Kindle eReader. The Kindle Touch uses an IR touch system, it has a more advanced E Ink screen and zero buttons. The ad-supported Kindle Touch will ship for $99 ($139 without ads), while the Kindle Touch 3G with free global roaming will cost $149 ($189 without ads). Shipments will start on November 21st but just like the Kindle Fire tablet it will only be available in the US.

New Addition to the Kindle Family--"Kindle Touch"--Only $99
Kindle Touch is a new addition to the Kindle family with an easy-to-use touch screen that makes it easier than ever to turn pages, search, shop, and take notes - still with all the benefits of the most advanced electronic ink display. Kindle Touch is also lighter, smaller, eliminates battery anxiety with extra-long battery life and holds thousands of books.

New "X-Ray" Feature
Amazon invented X-Ray, a new feature that lets customers explore the "bones of the book." With a single tap, readers can see all the passages across a book that mention ideas, fictional characters, historical figures, places or topics that interest them, as well as more detailed descriptions from Wikipedia and Shelfari, Amazon's community-powered encyclopedia for book lovers. Amazon built X-Ray using its expertise in language processing and machine learning, access to significant storage and computing resources with Amazon S3 and EC2, and a deep library of book and character information. The vision is to have every important phrase in every book.

The new Kindle Touch is only $99. Kindle Touch is available to customers in the U.S. for pre-order starting today at www.amazon.com/kindletouch and ships November 21.

New Top of the Line Kindle e-reader--"Kindle Touch 3G" --Only $149
Kindle Touch 3G is a new addition to the Kindle family for readers who want the top of the line e-reader. Kindle Touch 3G offers the same new design and features of Kindle Touch - small and light, easy-to-use touch screen, storage for thousands of books, and extra-long battery life - with the unparalleled added convenience of free 3G. Kindle's free 3G connection means you never have to hunt for or pay for a Wi-Fi hotspot - you simply download and read books anytime, anywhere in over 100 countries around the world. Amazon pays for the 3G connection so there's no monthly fee or annual contract.

The new top of the line Kindle Touch 3G is only $149. Kindle Touch 3G is available to customers in the U.S. for pre-order starting today at www.amazon.com/kindletouch3G and ships November 21.

Amazon Kindle Touch starts at $99 - More news at DV Hardware

Unreal Engine 4 could launch in 2014

Neowin writes the next Unreal Engine may still be a couple of years away:

In a new interview at IGN, Epic Games' main programmer Tim Sweeney admits, "I spend about 60 percent of my time every day doing research work that's aimed at our next generation engine and the next generation of consoles." However he added, "This is technology that won't see the light of day until probably around 2014, but focusing on that horizon enables me to do some really cool things that just aren't practical today, but soon will be."

Sweeney said that for Unreal Engine 4, the biggest issue will be to optimize the engine to work on many more CPU cores than what's currently available today. He states, "... the big challenge will be redesigning our engine and our workload so that we scale more of these different computer tasks between CPU cores seamlessly in real-time and dynamically so that you're always getting the maximum computing power out with the engine, regardless of what sort of work you're doing." He adds that for the next 10 years he is looking to see games that have true movie quality graphics which in his opinion means, " ... no flicker in the visuals, no popping artifacts, no bulky character outlines on the screen at all."

Unreal Engine 4 could launch in 2014 - More news at DV Hardware

Zotac reveals PCI and PCIe X1 editions of GeForce GT 520

Zotac introduced two new GeForce GT 520 graphics cards; one with the old PCI interface and also one with PCI Express x1.

ZOTAC� International, a leading innovator and channel manufacturer, today expands the value GeForce� GT 520 lineup with new PCI and PCI Express x1 form factors for users with pre-built systems that have limited expansion capabilities. The new ZOTAC� GeForce� GT 520 PCI and PCI Express x1 graphics cards breathe new life into older systems by delivering a performance punch and new video capabilities.

�Upgrading your graphics card is the easiest way to boost your system performance and gain new capabilities. The new ZOTAC� GeForce� GT 520 PCI and PCI Express x1 graphics cards shows that you can experience good graphics without upgrading the rest of your system,� said Carsten Berger, marketing director, ZOTAC International.

The ZOTAC� GeForce� GT 520 PCI and PCI Express x1 graphics cards provide DVI, HDMI and VGA outputs with dual simultaneous independent display support for an instant dual-monitor upgrade. The low-profile form factor enables the ZOTAC� GeForce� GT 520 PCI and PCI express x1 graphics card to easily fit in compact pre-built systems with height limitations in addition to expansion limitations.

It�s time to play with the ZOTAC� GeForce� GT 520 PCI and PCI Express x1 graphics card.

General details
New ZOTAC� GeForce� GT 520 PCI and PCI Express x1 graphics cards

NVIDIA� GeForce� GT 520 GPU

Engine clock: 810 MHz

48 unified shaders

Shader clock: 1620 MHz

512MB DDR3 memory

Memory clock: 1333 MHz

64-bit memory interface

DVI, HDMI & VGA outputs

DirectX� 11 technology & Shader Model 5.0

OpenGL� 4.1 compatible

NVIDIA� CUDA� technology

Full HD video playback

Zotac reveals PCI and PCIe X1 editions of GeForce GT 520 - More news at DV Hardware

Gigabyte LAN Optimizer tool launched

Gigabyte presents LAN Optimizer, a new free tool for some of the company's Z68, P67, H67 and H61 motherboards. Full details over here.

GIGABYTE TECHNOLOGY Co. Ltd.. a leading manufacturer of motherboards and graphics cards, today announced the launch of LAN Optimizer, a free software application that offers user-friendly, intelligent network management. Prioritizing network-sensitive applications such as streaming media content, communications and online gaming, LAN Optimizer intelligently manages your network to deliver an optimized online experience.

"LAN Optimizer is a unique and exclusive GIGABYTE application that allows our customers to get the very best online experience by taking charge of their internet bandwidth in a way that was only available to very high-end solutions in the past," commented Henry Kao, Vice President of Motherboard Business Unit at GIGABYTE. �GIGABYTE motherboard users can now intelligently manage different types of network traffic at the touch of a button, dynamically optimizing their home network according to their needs."

GIGABYTE LAN Optimizer
LAN Optimizer offers intelligent and adaptive network analysis and management for all network traffic types. Automatic prioritization of data streams from online games, streaming media content and web browsing helps to prevent your network from being strangled by network-intensive traffic such as large data downloads. This means users can now enjoy optimized gaming, communications and entertainment connectivity, while performing multiple online tasks. In cases where an internet connection is shared, LAN Optimizer ensures that the whole family will enjoy sufficient network bandwidth, on all connected devices.

Key Features
LAN Optimizer is a free software application that works in conjunction with the Realtek 8111E Network LAN Controller to monitor and manage your PC�s network behavior. It�s simple user interface allows you to select the types of network traffic you want to prioritize, including gaming, media streaming, communications or web browsing data traffic. You can also target specific applications, choosing to prioritize or block accordingly. LAN Optimizer also features automatic management options that use adaptive networking intelligence to ensure that you are getting the best online experience possible.

Gigabyte LAN Optimizer tool launched - More news at DV Hardware

Kingston DataTraveler 6000 focuses on security

Kington presents the DataTraveler 6000 (DT6000), a new USB 2.0 drive that focuses on ultra-strong security. Full specifications and pricing details at Kingston.

Kingston Digital, Inc., the Flash memory affiliate of Kingston Technology Company, Inc., the independent world leader in memory products, today announced the DataTraveler� 6000 (DT6000) USB Flash drive, which protects sensitive data with Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 140-2 Level 3 Validation and 100-percent encryption. For financial service organizations and government agencies that need the strongest data protection in mobile storage devices, the DT6000 meets data-at-rest regulations and is the most secure USB Flash drive available on the market.

The Kingston� DT6000 utilizes patented Secured by Spyrus� technology which supports 256-bit AES hardware-based encryption using XTS block cipher mode. XTS is current generation technology that provides much stronger protection than other block cipher modes such as CBC and ECB. The DT6000 uses �military-grade� elliptic curve cryptography (ECC), which is recommended by the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) as part of its Suite B set of cryptographic algorithms.

Organizations spend millions of dollars annually on network security to thwart hackers and other outsider threats. A recent study by the Ponemon Institute highlighted that nearly half of organizations surveyed lost sensitive or confidential information on USB drives over the last two years, and that on average 12,000 customer records per organization were lost. For many organizations, steps to protect data on portable devices remain unimplemented for a variety of reasons despite the risks in using unsecured drives in the workplace. Frequent news stories show that security breaches associated with USBs are more often the result of negligence (lost drives) and a lack of security policy, education and enforcement rather than malicious intent. In other words, having an unencrypted USB drive is a potential data breach in one�s pocket.

�While enterprises and government agencies need to be able to provide remote and mobile employees access to sensitive and confidential data, establishing security policies and deploying USB products that prevent data loss is as important and immediate as an organization�s network security,� said John Terpening, Secure USB business manager, Kingston. �Using non-secure USB drives makes organizations vulnerable to data loss and breaches that can affect the company�s credibility with its employees, customers and partners. The DT6000 is the most secure USB Flash drive available and will meet the most stringent corporate or government requirements.�

While other companies concentrate on security around cloud-based services, Kingston keeps its focus on the hardware security side. Our longstanding relationships with controller and NAND Flash suppliers as well as global distribution capabilities ensure a steady supply of products to meet customer needs. Evaluation samples are readily available to potential customers. Along with the DT6000, Kingston has an extensive family of secure DataTraveler USB Flash drives to match the security needs for all levels of enterprises:

DataTraveler 4000 ― Managed (DT4000-M): Awarded highest rating of 5 out of 5 in SC Magazine�s Portable Security Devices group test (June 2011). Designed for high-value corporate deployments, the DT4000-Managed provides FIPS 140-2 Level 2 validation and is centrally managed, all at an affordable cost. Kingston partnered with BlockMaster� to provide SafeConsole� for Kingston, enforcing full USB management control over the drive.

DataTraveler 4000: Same features as DT4000-M but not managed.

DataTraveler Vault Privacy ― Managed (DTVP-M): Optimal for sensitive enterprise environments with 256-bit AES encryption and the SafeConsole for Kingston central management system, which is fully customizable to meet an enterprise organization�s needs.

DataTraveler Vault Privacy (DTVP): Same features as DTVP-M but not managed.

Kingston DataTraveler 6000 focuses on security - More news at DV Hardware

Cooler Master GeminII M4 low-profile CPU cooler revealed

Next month Cooler Master will ship the GeminII M4, a new ultra-low profile CPU cooler that measures 137mm x 122mm x 59mm. The cooler weighs 289g, it has four direct-touch heatpipes, aluminium fins and a 120mm XtraFlo slim fan with sleeve bearing. The fan spins at 500 to 1600RPM and promises a noise level between 8-30dBA.

The intented target market is Mini-ITX systems, HTPCs and other small form factor systems.



Source: TC Mag

Cooler Master GeminII M4 low-profile CPU cooler revealed - More news at DV Hardware

ASUS reveals three Z68 mainboards with PCI Express 3.0

TPU reports ASUS has introduced three new Intel Z68 based motherboards with PCI Express 3.0 x16 slots.

ASUS unveiled a trio of socket LGA1155 motherboards based on the Intel Z68 chipset, which feature PCI-Express 3.0 x16 slots (electrical x8/x8 when both are populated). The new motherboards are PCI-Express Gen 3.0 specifications compliant, complete with switches and electrical components. Leading the pack is the P8Z68 DELUXE/Gen3 in the $250-segement, followed by the P8Z68-V PRO/Gen3 in the $200-segment, and the P8Z68-V/Gen3 in the sub-$200 segment.

All three feature 16-phase Digi+ CPU VRM, an Intel-made gigabit Ethernet controller, and Lucid Virtu support. All three feature the same expansion slot loadout, with two PCI-Express 3.0 x16 (x16/NC or x8/x8), one PCI-Express 2.0 x16 (electrical 2.0 x4), and two each of PCI-Express 2.0 x1 and legacy PCI wired to an ASMedia-made bridge chip.

ASUS reveals three Z68 mainboards with PCI Express 3.0 - More news at DV Hardware

Need for Speed: The Run trailer (with babes)

EA shows off the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Model trailer of Need for Speed: The Run. This clip features Irina Shayk and Chrissy Teigen.

Get More: GameTrailers.com, Need for Speed: The Run - Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Models Trailer, PC Games, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360

Need for Speed: The Run trailer (with babes) - More news at DV Hardware

Intel to reveal three new Thunderbolt controllers

Earlier this month Intel revealed plans for two "Cactus Ridge" Thunderbolt controllers at the IDF, and now word has reached VR Zone that the chip giant is also working on the L2210 "Port Ridge", a low-cost device only controller. Full details over here.

However, the controller that caught our attention is the tiny 5x6mm Port Ridge or L2210, it's a single channel controller that has been designed specifically for low-cost Thunderbolt devices. Due to its single channel design it only supports two lanes of PCI Express 2.0 bandwidth and it lacks support for pass-through connectivity. That said, there are plenty of PCI Express x1 devices that could easily be adapted for use in an external enclosure combine with Port Ridge and we can see this becoming a hugely popular Thunderbolt controller from Intel if it's priced accordingly to its functionality. Port Ridge should be in production before the end of the year, so hopefully we should see a raft of more affordable Thunderbolt devices early next year.

Intel to reveal three new Thunderbolt controllers - More news at DV Hardware

NVIDIA GK107 Kepler GPU is now sampling

VR Zone claims NVIDIA now has engineering samples of its GK107 "Kepler" GPU, this will be a low-end chip for notebooks. The GK107 chips may enter production in January 2012, but there's still no news about the high-end Kepler GPUs.

GK107 is set to feature in four mobile GeForce SKUs - N13P-LP, N13P-GS, N13P-GT and N13E-GE. If these codenames sound familiar, it is because they have previously appeared in a leaked 28nm mobile GPU line-up. GK107 features a 128-bit memory interface, and supports DDR3 and GDDR5 memory. The first three GK107 based SKUs (with a "P" suffix) will likely succeed the GeForce GT 500M series, and will presumably be branded GeForce GT 600M series. The top GK107 part, N13E-GE, may succeed GTX 560M and be part of the GTX 600M series, as denoted by the "E" suffix (Enthusiast). In addition, GK107 will also be part of mobile Quadro SKUs - N14P-Q1 and N14P-Q3.

NVIDIA GK107 Kepler GPU is now sampling - More news at DV Hardware

LaCie LaPlug lets you share data wirelessly

LaCie introduced the LaPlug, a new solution for wireless sharing of data on your local network.

Today LaCie announced the LaPlug, a simple solution to share any USB hard drive or key over a local network. The LaPlug also offers a convenient way to access data at home or on the go, as well as share personal files such as vacation or birthday photos with family and friends. Additionally, the LaPlug can stream multimedia content and back up multiple computers to one central location. Even better, all this functionality can be achieved with USB hard drives a user already owns.

SHARE USB DISKS ON YOUR NETWORK�WIRELESSLY
The LaPlug turns any USB hard drive into a network storage device sharing files wirelessly throughout the home. Simply connect the LaPlug to the network then connect the drive to the LaPlug. Instantly the user has an easy and cost-effective way to make files stored on their USB hard drives more accessible than ever. For ultimate convenience a user can connect a USB printer to the LaPlug and make it wirelessly available to all computers on the network.

ACCESSIBILITY AT HOME AND ON THE ROAD
Not only does the LaPlug make USB hard drives accessible throughout the home, it even supports remote access. Instead of emailing large files between friends, just give them access to the LaPlug � all they need is an Internet connection. The user can even set up a custom web address so access to the LaPlug is as easy as typing a URL.

MULTIMEDIA STREAMING
It is easy to access USB drives connected to the LaPlug from any networked equipment that's UPnP�/DLNA�-certified, such as the PlayStation�3 or Xbox�360, as well as the LaCie LaCinema Classic HD. If a user has movies on a USB key they can just connect it to the LaPlug then play the movie using the multimedia device on the network. Instantly watch movies from the comfort of your living room even if the LaPlug is located in another part of the house. The LaPlug also plays music files from a USB drive or streams music to computers on the network running iTunes�.

CENTRALIZE BACKUP FOR CONVENIENCE AND SECURITY
The LaPlug offers a convenient way to automatically back up all computers in a household onto one central location. Use the included backup software or Time Machine�. Either way, simply configure automatic backups once then rest assured knowing all data is secure. Since the LaPlug supports Wi-Fi, once the computer is configured the user does not need to connect it to the LaPlug in order to initiate backups. It works as soon as the computer is connected to the local network.

AVAILABILITY
The LaCie LaPlug will be available through the LaCie Online Store, LaCie PROgram+ Partners and LaCie PROgram+ Reseller starting at the suggested retail price of $74.99.

LaCie LaPlug lets you share data wirelessly - More news at DV Hardware