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AMD's Bulldozer CPUs remind us of Betamax (or MiniDisc), in that its superlative design hasn't been embraced thanks to one or two humbling limitations. However, Mark Papermaster, Sunnyvale's new CTO, took to the stage at Hot Chips to show how he's changing the situation with the third-generation Steamroller architecture. It's rowing back on the more experimental elements of the design, scrapping the single shared fetch-and-decode hardware in favor of dual-cores that should double the amount of instructions it can handle. It's hoping to make performance gains of 15 percent, clawing back some of Intel's lead, and is considering roping in the GPU to help with the heavy-hitting in future versions. The chips will be built at Globalfoundries 28-nanometer line and are hoped to be out at some point next year.
Filed under: Desktops
AMD teases next-gen Steamroller CPU, aims to Bulldoze the competition originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Aug 2012 08:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Sure, we know there's great temptation to go the DIY route when considering your next HTPC, but if you're looking for a small form factor solution, there are legitimate advantages inherent to prebuilt systems. HotHardware just put the ASRock Vision 3D 252B through a rigorous review, and while it isn't the newest rig on the block, it's said to be worthy of your consideration just the same. At the system's heart, you'll find a Core i5 2520M -- which is from the Sandy Bridge era -- but the diminutive computer is said to provide flawless playback of all media types. Other high points include the system's quiet operation and low power consumption, and in summation, "The component choices, connectivity options, and form factor all hit the sweet spot." While the roughly $900 price may deter some, HotHardware recommends the Vision 3D 252B as a worthwhile HTPC that provides better connectivity options and a smaller size than the DIY alternative.
Filed under: Desktops
ASRock Vision 3D 252B reviewed: a quiet, top-shelf HTPC worthy of the premium price originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 03 Aug 2012 02:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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There haven't been many choices in PC motherboards for audiophiles -- the 'real' kind that might see even a good dedicated sound card as slumming it. Biostar wants to fill that untapped niche with the Hi-Fi Z77X. Along with run-of-the-mill expansion for an Ivy Bridge- or Sandy Bridge-based desktop, the board's built-in 7.1-channel audio flaunts six 3.5mm analog jacks, an amp and the kind of exotic-sounding language that leads audio addicts to buy $2,000 cables they don't need. We're talking "metal-oxide film resistors" and "non-polarized electrolysis electric audio capacitors," here. Whether or not the changes have an appreciable impact on sound quality, listeners are ironically left out of S/PDIF audio, which exists only as a header on the board unless buyers spend a little more on parts. That said, if we assume the as yet unknown price isn't stereotypically high -- and that audiophiles don't mind a big, potentially noisy desktop as a home theater PC -- the Hi-Fi Z77x could be a treat for those who want to wring every nuance out of music and movie soundtracks.
Filed under: Desktops, Home Entertainment
Biostar Hi-Fi Z77X gives audiophiles 7.1-channel analog sound, overpriced cables thankfully optional originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Jul 2012 19:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Mobile gamers and server pros aren't exactly cut from the same cloth, but Eurocom is targeting them both with its Clevo rebadged, 11.6-inch, sub-four-pound Monster notebook. That idea is crazy enough to work, since a fully spec'd model will have an Ivy Bridge Intel Core i7-3920XM processor, 16GB of DDR3-1600 of RAM, a 240GB SSD, 750GB Hybrid drive or 1TB HDD, and on-board NVIDIA GT 650M graphics running at 850MHz. The 1366 x 768 screen might be a touch undersized for gamers, but they could let that slide since the processor can be safely overclocked up to a decent 3.8GHz. As for business pros, the company claims the Monster could be used as a portable server, run multiple VMs of Windows and Linux, or high-end engineering apps like MatLab. As usual with Eurocom, you can configure the system in dozens of ways, including matte or glossy screen, Sandy Bridge or Ivy Bridge processors and multiple RAM or disk setups. Pricing and delivery dates weren't given, but if it's up your alley, check the PR and your wallet -- or hit up Ned in accounting.
Eurocom Monster 11.6-inch notebook: Ivy Bridge, Kepler, 16 GB RAM, multiple personalities originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Jun 2012 07:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Intel's Next Unit of Computing mini-desktop is reportedly going to cost around $400 when it arrives in the third quarter of the year. Designed for kiosks and digital signage setups, the weeny box has attracted so much interest from solder-wielding modders that the company expects it to go on general sale. The initial unit will include a Sandy Bridge Core i3, 4GB RAM and a 40GB SSD, while on the outside it'll come with three USB 2.0 ports and dual HDMI outputs. That high price might dampen the spirits of those hoping for an Intel-powered Arduino / Raspberry Pi, but we still expect to see it crop up in plenty of brilliant mods next year.
Intel's NUC mini-desktop said to cost around $400 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 11 Jun 2012 09:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Sure, you may need to shop around to find a replacement for that 11-inch number Dell pulled off the shelves, but that doesn't mean you need to miss out on a free Ivy Bridge upgrade. Origin PC tells us that it's offering the very same silicon swap as Dell to folks who pulled the trigger on any of its laptop and desktop PCs before Intel's big launch. If your order hasn't shipped yet, you're looking at an upgrade. Now if only we could find a manufacturer willing to hand out free GPU upgrades.
Origin PC upgrading pre-Ivy Bridge orders with new silicon, asking nothing in return originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 06 May 2012 06:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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