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CPU Reviews: Intel Ivy Bridge Core i7 3770K, i5 3570K and i5 3550
By DigitalVersus, published 05-04-2012
Intel's new Ivy Bridge processors launched last week to pick up where the acclaimed Sandy Bridge series left off. The new range promises improved performances as well as new functions....
Max Payne 3 PC Requirements Revealed
By GameInformer, published 23-04-2012
Thinking about playing Max Payne 3 on your computer? Here's what you'll need for it to run. Rockstar confirmed that Max Payne 3 will support DirectX11 and has provided the following spec sheet so you can start upgrading now before the May 29th release date. Max Payne 3 PC System SpecificationsOperating System: Windows 7 32/64 Service Pack 1, Windows Vista 32/64 Service Pack 2, Windows XP 32/64 Service Pack 3Processor:Intel Dual Core 2.4 GHZ - i7 3930K 6 Core x 3.06 GHZ / AMD Dual Core 2.6 GHZ - FX8150 8 Core x 3.6 GHZRAM: 2GB - 16GBVideo Card:NVIDIA 8600 GT 512MB VRAM – NVIDIA® GeForce GTX 680 2GB VRAM / Radeon HD 3400 512MB VRAM - Radeon HD 7970 3GB VRAMSound Card:100% Direct X 9.0 compatible – Direct X 9.0 compatible supporting Dolby Digital LiveHDD S...
Tuesday Shortbread
By TechReport, published 20-12-2011
Eight is Enough BGR: ITC bans U.S. import of multiple HTC devices in Apple patent ruling and HTC responds to ITC ruling, says it has a solution ready to address Apple patent violations SweClockers test Microsoft's Windows update for AMD Bulldozer (in Swedish) Expreview: Intel Core i7-3820X quad-core processor gets listed VR-Zone: Expected Ivy Bridge pricing leaked, stays mostly the same as Sandy Bridge Experview: AMD Radeon HD 7900 key features surfaced and AMD Radeon HD 7770 graphics card unearthed Fudzilla: Radeon HD 7970 close to HD 6990 Talk Android reports Tiger Direct and Amazon now shipping Asus Transformer Prime to customers The Verge: Firefox 9 now available, brings major JavaScript performance boost and OS X Lion swiping Read more...
Thursday Shortbread
By TechReport, published 15-12-2011
The Pick 6 VR-Zone: Investment firm claims Intel Q4 cut is not due to HDD shortage VR-Zone: Intel's Core i7-3612QM verified as 35W part and Fusion APUs to continue to be memory speed-sensitive? VR-Zone: AMD Radeon HD 7970 specs slide leaked Futuremark releases 3DMark 11 update Guild Wars 2 closed beta Hi Tech Legion's Skyrim review: 3D Vision 2 experience Read more...
Review Roundup: This week's hottest reviews on TechRadar
By TechRadar, published 12-03-2011
This week's hottest reviews on TechRadarThis week we've looked at Sony's new dual-screened Tablet P - it's a clamshell Android tablet that's seriously different from anything else on the market. Read on for what we made of it. Then we've got our definitive verdict on Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, plus the super speedy Intel Core i7 2700K processor and the entry-level Nikon D3100 DSLR. Plus there's plenty more besides - read on to see all of this week's reviews. Sony Tablet P reviewThe Android tablet is diversifying by the day, and here's one that… folds in half. Yep, the Sony Tablet P has dual screens and folds closed into something resembling a large glasses case. The slick lines and thin body of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 and even the Sony Tablet S are nowhere to be seen, this is a device a...
Review Roundup: This week's hottest reviews on TechRadar
By TechRadar, published 12-03-2011
This week's hottest reviews on TechRadarThis week we've looked at Sony's new dual-screened Tablet P - it's a clamshell Android tablet that's seriously different from anything else on the market. Read on for what we made of it. Then we've got our definitive verdict on Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, plus the super speedy Intel Core i7 2700K processor and the entry-level Nikon D3100 DSLR. Plus there's plenty more besides - read on to see all of this week's reviews. Sony Tablet P reviewThe Android tablet is diversifying by the day, and here's one that… folds in half. Yep, the Sony Tablet P has dual screens and folds closed into something resembling a large glasses case. The slick lines and thin body of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 and even the Sony Tablet S are nowhere to be seen, this is a device a...
Review Roundup: This week's hottest reviews on TechRadar
By TechRadar, published 12-03-2011
This week's hottest reviews on TechRadarThis week we've looked at Sony's new dual-screened Tablet P - it's a clamshell Android tablet that's seriously different from anything else on the market. Read on for what we made of it. Then we've got our definitive verdict on Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, plus the super speedy Intel Core i7 2700K processor and the entry-level Nikon D3100 DSLR. Plus there's plenty more besides - read on to see all of this week's reviews. Sony Tablet P reviewThe Android tablet is diversifying by the day, and here's one that… folds in half. Yep, the Sony Tablet P has dual screens and folds closed into something resembling a large glasses case. The slick lines and thin body of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 and even the Sony Tablet S are nowhere to be seen, this is a device a...
Review Roundup: This week's hottest reviews on TechRadar
By TechRadar, published 12-03-2011
This week's hottest reviews on TechRadarThis week we've looked at Sony's new dual-screened Tablet P - it's a clamshell Android tablet that's seriously different from anything else on the market. Read on for what we made of it. Then we've got our definitive verdict on Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, plus the super speedy Intel Core i7 2700K processor and the entry-level Nikon D3100 DSLR. Plus there's plenty more besides - read on to see all of this week's reviews. Sony Tablet P reviewThe Android tablet is diversifying by the day, and here's one that… folds in half. Yep, the Sony Tablet P has dual screens and folds closed into something resembling a large glasses case. The slick lines and thin body of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 and even the Sony Tablet S are nowhere to be seen, this is a device a...
Daily Roundup: 2011-11-28
By Bjorn3D, published 28-11-2011
CPUs, RAMs, Mobos Intel Core i7-3690X-EE at LostCircuits Intel Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition Review at Techgage Patriot Division 4 Viper Xtreme PC3-12800 16GB Kit Review at Tweaktown Video Cards EVGA GeForce GTX 580 Classified: Overclocked at Benchmark Reviews Sapphire HD 6970
Review Roundup: This week's hottest reviews on TechRadar
By TechRadar, published 19-11-2011
This week's hottest reviews on TechRadarThis week we've reviewed the humungous HTC Sensation XL as well as the long awaited Amazon Kindle Fire. And it doesn't stop there - we've looked at the new Sony Alpha A77 DSLR, complete with an immense 24.3MP APS-C format CMOS sensor.We've also checked out the 11-inch Acer Zenbook UX21 too. Read on for all our reviews from what's been a bumper week on the site. HTC Sensation XL reviewThe HTC Sensation XL is the third in HTC's new Android range, and offers a larger screen than the original Sensation, but with a 1.5GHz single-core processor, 16GB of built-in memory, and Beats Audio (like the XE). However, despite the screen being larger it's actually a lot less sharp - what we've got here is a 480 x 800 display, compared to the 540 x 960 qHD screen in ...
Review Roundup: This week's hottest reviews on TechRadar
By TechRadar, published 19-11-2011
This week's hottest reviews on TechRadarThis week we've reviewed the humungous HTC Sensation XL as well as the long awaited Amazon Kindle Fire. And it doesn't stop there - we've looked at the new Sony Alpha A77 DSLR, complete with an immense 24.3MP APS-C format CMOS sensor.We've also checked out the 11-inch Acer Zenbook UX21 too. Read on for all our reviews from what's been a bumper week on the site. HTC Sensation XL reviewThe HTC Sensation XL is the third in HTC's new Android range, and offers a larger screen than the original Sensation, but with a 1.5GHz single-core processor, 16GB of built-in memory, and Beats Audio (like the XE). However, despite the screen being larger it's actually a lot less sharp - what we've got here is a 480 x 800 display, compared to the 540 x 960 qHD screen in ...
Review Roundup: This week's hottest reviews on TechRadar
By TechRadar, published 19-11-2011
This week's hottest reviews on TechRadarThis week we've reviewed the humungous HTC Sensation XL as well as the long awaited Amazon Kindle Fire. And it doesn't stop there - we've looked at the new Sony Alpha A77 DSLR, complete with an immense 24.3MP APS-C format CMOS sensor.We've also checked out the 11-inch Acer Zenbook UX21 too. Read on for all our reviews from what's been a bumper week on the site. HTC Sensation XL reviewThe HTC Sensation XL is the third in HTC's new Android range, and offers a larger screen than the original Sensation, but with a 1.5GHz single-core processor, 16GB of built-in memory, and Beats Audio (like the XE). However, despite the screen being larger it's actually a lot less sharp - what we've got here is a 480 x 800 display, compared to the 540 x 960 qHD screen in ...
Review Roundup: This week's hottest reviews on TechRadar
By TechRadar, published 19-11-2011
This week's hottest reviews on TechRadarThis week we've reviewed the humungous HTC Sensation XL as well as the long awaited Amazon Kindle Fire. And it doesn't stop there - we've looked at the new Sony Alpha A77 DSLR, complete with an immense 24.3MP APS-C format CMOS sensor.We've also checked out the 11-inch Acer Zenbook UX21 too. Read on for all our reviews from what's been a bumper week on the site. HTC Sensation XL reviewThe HTC Sensation XL is the third in HTC's new Android range, and offers a larger screen than the original Sensation, but with a 1.5GHz single-core processor, 16GB of built-in memory, and Beats Audio (like the XE). However, despite the screen being larger it's actually a lot less sharp - what we've got here is a 480 x 800 display, compared to the 540 x 960 qHD screen in ...
Breaking in Sandy Bridge-E: Building A Kick-Ass Rig with Intel's New Chip
By MaximumPC, published 14-11-2011
Intel's new enthusiast platform is here. I'm going to put it through its paces with a quiet riot of a gaming rig. Intel has just released its new Sandy Bridge-E platform. With six- and eight-core processors, eight DIMM slots, and multiple PCIe 3.0 slots, it’s Nehalem’s true heir and the answer to complaints that Sandy Bridge, while awesome, just isn’t enthusiast enough. (Check out our official benchmarks here). The i7-2600K is a great part, but it’s only a quad-core, and there hasn’t been a six-core enthusiast CPU from Intel since the i7-990X, which is on a dead platform. I’ve gotten my hands on the Sandy Bridge-E flagship CPU: the Core i7-3960X, a $1,000, six-core beast at 3.3GHz. Oh, and a motherboard and cooler to go with it. I’ve rustled up a passel of RAM, a titanic GPU,...
Build It: A First-Class Gaming & Media PC for the Living Room
By MaximumPC, published 11-07-2011
Get Gaming on an HTPC I don't want to watch cable TV. I don't want to use a controller. I just want to watch 3D Blu-rays and frag people with a mouse and keyboard, all on a box that fits on my entertainment center. Is that too much to ask? We’ve built our fair share of home theater PCs in the past, with all sorts of different use cases in mind. Our August 2010 HTPC was a stunner built for 3D, with passively cooled GPU, CPU, and PSU, as well as a four-channel CableCard tuner and Blu-ray 3D support. In June 2011, Gordon tried to make a small-form-factor HTPC that could cut out the previous build’s bulk (and CableCard) while still supporting Blu-ray 3D. Both of those rigs handled their respective tasks well, but what if I don’t care about cable but do care about gaming? This month’s ...
Review: Zotac Z68-ITX Wi-Fi
By TechRadar, published 09-06-2011
OverviewThe Zotac Z68-ITX Wi-Fi really is an ITX board. Zotac, the mad fool, has opted to stick Intel's latest and greatest tech – the Z68 chipset with Sandy Bridge processor architecture – onto one of the smallest motherboard form factors available, but that's what Zotac does. What's impressive is that Zotac has done this and managed to retain almost all of the features you'd expect on a full ATX motherboard. The single available x16 PCIe slot is certainly a little less than you'd usually expect, while a mere two DIMM slots support 16GB of system memory. That aside, there are three digital video outputs, four SATA ports, two USB 3.0 ports, eight channel audio with digital out and enough space left for Gigabit networking and twin wireless N antenna. It's a mighty feast of technology fr...
Buying Guide: Best computer: how to choose the right one
By TechRadar, published 28-07-2011
When buying a new computer, it's easy to become confused by the sheer volume of technical decisions that you'll have to make. You might wonder how much RAM you'll need, for instance, which CPU or which graphics card to pick, what display to look for, which hard drive will be best for you - there are so many issues that it's difficult to know where to begin.There is a simple way to at least begin cutting down the choices on offer, though, and ensure you get the best PC for your needs. And that's to forget about the low-level technical specifications, and fine details like the brand of graphics card just for the moment and instead concentrate on something much more fundamental and important: what you will be expecting your new system to do.So read on to find out how to buy the best computer ...
Review Roundup: This week's hottest reviews on TechRadar
By TechRadar, published 23-07-2011
This week we've taken a first look at the new webOS HP Veer smartphone as well as Apple's brand-new MacBook Air featuring blistering performance from Intel's Core i5 and i7 processors.We've also reviewed Nokia's latest X7 smartphone as well as the Samsung Galaxy S and Samsung Galaxy Pro. Check all our reviews out below. HP Veer reviewIn the beginning, there was Palm. The company created the handheld/smartphone category with the original personal digital assistants in 1996. Now, following an HP acquisition about a year ago, it's emerged with a new super-tiny model, the HP Veer.The smartphone is priced at $99 with a two-year contract in the US, with costs yet to be announced in the UK. It's so light, at 103g, and small, at 84x54x15.1mm, that it almost seems like a toy phone – something you...
Buying Guide: MacBook Air vs MacBook Pro: which is right for you?
By TechRadar, published 22-07-2011
When Apple released a new MacBook Air in time for OS X Lion, it also took the chance to cut the white MacBook from its line up. This leaves buyers with a choice between the MacBook Air or a MacBook Pro.But if you're after an Apple laptop and were thinking of getting the white MacBook, which is right for you now? The MacBook Airs and MacBook Pros have some quite significant differences, so we've put together the following guide to help you decide which will fulfil your needs.If you decide the current Apple range isn't right for you, also check our top 20 laptops list here.MacBook Air vs MacBook Pro: PriceThe new MacBook Air range starts at £849 for the 11-inch, 64GB model, with the 128GB model coming in at £999. The 13-inch MacBook Air starts at £1,099 for the 128GB version, with the 256...
Review: Gigabyte 970A-UD3
By TechRadar, published 20-07-2011
Looking to build a new PC based around an AMD Phenom processor? No, us neither, but that's not the point about AMD's recent refresh of its motherboard chipsets. What makes them interesting is the news that they bring: boards such as this 970A-UD3 from Gigabyte are ready for the soon-to-be-launched Bulldozer CPUs.Unfortunately, Bulldozer is a completely new chip and almost inevitably ran into manufacturing problems. So it's been delayed rather beyond the original summer launch date. Still, if you are looking to build an AMD system it's churlish to complain that you get to play with all of the platform birthday toys before the main present is unwrapped. It's fully backwards-compatible and priced pretty keenly too.Apart from supporting Bulldozer through the AM3+ socket, Series 9 chipsets such...
Review: Medion Erazer X6813
By TechRadar, published 15-07-2011
Medion's Erazer X6813 – branded as a "gaming notebook" – might seem like an oxymoron to some. Gaming is a traditionally immersive endeavour, and while casual gaming marches forward with the momentum of a sinister (but casual) army of men in silly hats, there are still serious games with serious budgets that offer serious escapism, if you've got the gear to render such visual finery.Here's where the 15.6-inch Medion Erazer X6813 comes in. Like the MSI GT680 and the diminutive 11.6-inch Alienware M11x, it's designed to offer gamers the kind of frame rates they're used to on desktop machines, but on the go – at the expense of £1,000 or more. Here's where the incongruity kicks in – how and why would you want to play such visually impressive, immersive titles in public places? Isn't th...
Dream Machine 2011: How We Created the Best PC Ever
By MaximumPC, published 07-11-2011
Join us as we celebrate another year of Pure PC PowerIn an age of overly synthesized catchphrases ginned up by some suit to commercialize new soda pop or body spray, the term “pure PC power” was never intended to be marketing hype.Instead, it was conceived to describe our obsession with performance computers and it has withstood the test of time. Who would have known that 16 Dream Machines later, the pursuit of all-out computing power could still be viable?But that’s just what this year’s Dream Machine again proves: Despite pundits predicting the PC’s death many times over—speed still matters. For this year’s Dream Machine, we decided to build a rig that balances top-notch performance with the style and elegance of an exotic sports car. The overall package is well-behaved and...
National Sugar Cookie Day Shortbread
By TechReport, published 07-09-2011
Eight is Enough The Inquirer: Intel discontinues its Core i7-970 due to lack of demand ATi-Forum: Bulldozer with effective 2.4GHz RAM speed and two new codenames of Southern Island GPUs (in German) Fudzilla: AMD's dual-core desktop Llano detailed Ars Technica: Apple looks at device-to-device transfers while competition...
Hands on: Sony VAIO Z Series review
By TechRadar, published 28-06-2011
Top of the list in Sony's summer launch list is the Sony Z Series, a 1.2kg ultra-portable Intel Core i7 powerhouse with SSD storage (although, as you'll see from our pics, the display model we tried had a Core i5).The Sony VAIO Z Series UK release date is scheduled for late July 2011.The nippy VAIO Z does have a little trick up its sleeve in the shape of add-on accessory Power Media Dock, featuring Intel's Light Peak tech – marketed by Apple and Intel as Thunderbolt. But the actual port doesn't look the same – Sony is just using a standard USB port rather than the DisplayPort implementation used by Apple.We've got far more on that for you further down this piece.This isn't so much of a surprise, considering a DisplayPort connection would seem rather odd on a laptop such as Sony's Z Ser...
How to Build a Kick-Ass Gaming Rig for Under $700
By MaximumPC, published 20-06-2011
Build A Gaming Machine That Will Satisfy Your Cravings Without Breaking the Bank The thought of a gaming PC might conjure up images of decadent excess—a full-course meal of awesome that moves from an SSD consumé to a filet of Core i7 990X to quad-SLI under glass. While that’s certainly a feast worth aspiring to, it’s by no means the only fare that will give your gaming needs sustenance. And, no, we’re not suggesting that you ruin your health with an empty-calorie diet of console. In fact, unlike some corners of the gaming world, where there’s a fixed menu of parts, the PC offers loads of options that scale from opulent to economical. Our budget gaming rig is all about instant gratification: a way for you to fill your gaming hunger with a state of the art, speedy machine, capabl...
Daily Roundup: 2011-06-07
By Bjorn3D, published 06-07-2011
CPUs, RAMs, Mobos ECS A890GXM-A2 Motherboard Review at Neoseeker Intel Core i7 2600K Sandy Bridge CPU Review at TechwareLabs Sapphire P67 Pure Black Hydra Motherboard Review at Rage3D.com Jetway NF81-T56N-LF mITX Motherboard Review at APH Networks Video Cards HIS HD6970
Polywell Ignition X5800 Review
By MaximumPC, published 27-05-2011
Polywell’s latest packs a surprise GPU Here at Maximum PC, we adhere to the cable news statistics rule that two data points is all you need to create a trend. So being presented with the second white system we’ve seen in the last three months, we can now declare that white is the new black (which was the new beige). And, (Kent Brockman voice-over) it’s a trend we like. Far from gaudy, Polywell’s Ignition X5800 manages to look powerful, stately, and professional. It’s an appropriate aesthetic coming from a company with a long history of making computers for work. For 24 years, Polywell has cranked out workstations, servers, and even Alpha-based rigs. White is really the new black. Those workstation roots seem to influence the rig’s interior as well, with Polywell opting for Int...
Review: Apple iMac 27-inch 2011
By TechRadar, published 20-05-2011
Although the form factor is unchanged, the 2011 Apple iMac refresh represents a significant step forwards for the popular all-in-one computer. Again consisting of two 21.5-inch models and two with 27-inch screens, the entire lineup has switched to Intel's Sandy Bridge processors, the second generation of the respected Core-i CPU series. Quad core Intel Corei5s are used throughout, whereas the 2010 iMacs they replace used dual core Intel Core i3s in all but the most expensive model. The 27-inch iMac under review here is the priciest in the 2011 range, but instead of the quad-core 3.1GHz Intel Core i5 processor offered in the standard configuration, ours was fitted with a quad core 3.4GHz Core i7 CPU. This is available as a configure-to-order option on the online Apple store, costing £1,809...
Small Form Factor Face-Off! We Compare 5 Compact Contenders
By MaximumPC, published 16-05-2011
From the caliber of their parts to the breadth of their abilities to their unconventional shapes and sizes, today's small form factor PCs are a tasty treat for power users It has long been considered common wisdom that the smaller the size of a PC, the greater its compromises. Notebooks, no matter how fat, for example, will never touch the power of a desktop machine. The same held true for small form factor rigs. But is that still the case? To find out how today’s SFF rigs compare with their full-size desktop brethren, we tasked five top PC makers with sending us their best and brightest, and, well, smallest machines. We didn’t put any hard and fast limits on size or price. Instead, we wanted the vendors to go nuts with the definition of “small form factor rig.” As a result, what ...
New Apple iMac: Thunderbolt, Sandy Bridge and FaceTime HD
By SlashGear, published 05-03-2011
Apple has unveiled its new iMac range, and as expected the all-in-one desktops have been upgraded with Intel’s 2011 Sandy Bridge quad-core processors, new graphics and Thunderbolt connectivity. The new iMacs come in the same 21.5-inch and 27-inch versions, with the entry-level $1,199 21.5-inch model having a 2.5GHz quad-core Core i5 processor, AMD Radeon HD 6750M graphics and a 500GB hard-drive. At the other end there’s the $1,999 27-inch machine with a 3.1GHz quad-core Core i5 processor, Radeon HD 6970M graphics and 1TB of storage. Optional is a $200 quad-core Intel Core i7 processor upgrade on select models, running at up to 3.4GHz. There’s also a second 21.5-inch pre-config model, with a 2.7GHz Core i5, Radeon HD 6770M and 1TB of storage, for $1,49. The entry-level 2...
How-To Build An AMD/CrossFire Powerhouse PC
By MaximumPC, published 04-11-2011
Can we build an AMD machine—any AMD machine—that can compete with an Intel-powered rig? In the forever war between CPU vendors, AMD and Intel have traded places many times—one leads, then the other. Since the advent of Intel’s Core i7, though, AMD hasn’t been able to touch the performance of Intel’s high end, and Sandy Bridge further increases the gap. But, well, you couldn't buy Sandy Bridge motherboards when I wrote this build-it story in February for the May print issue—something about a bad chipset—and I’d been meaning to build an AMD-powered machine for a while now—with CrossFire, even. Why? Partially because I can, but I also want to witness the performance delta firsthand. Just for kicks, I’m also going to put some effort—and money—into making this system p...
Alienware M14x gets caught in wild: 14-inch gaming notebook
By SlashGear, published 04-05-2011
Dell is yet to confirm the upcoming Alienware M14x, but that hasn’t stopped details of the 14-inch gaming notebook from leaking out ahead of time. We’ve already seen the specs leak, and now it’s the turn of some in-the-wild shots that have shown up at Chinese site ZOL. They show the usual chunky, angular lines we’re familiar with from Alienware machines these days, along with a backlit keyboard which can, as with the M11x, be cycled through various hues. Ports include three USB 2.0, HDMI, Mini DisplayPort, VGA, ethernet, various audio in/out and a memory card reader. As for the guts of the notebook, we already knew that there’d be an Intel Core i7-2820QM processor along with either 1366 x 768 or 1920 x 1080 displays, plus a range of HDD and SSD storage. Gra...
Review: YOYOTech Warbird SB4.6CS
By TechRadar, published 03-01-2011
We've made no secret of just how much we love the new Sandy Bridge setup from Intel and this rig from YOYOTech only goes to highlight why we're so smitten. Last month we looked at a high-spec Sandy Bridge rig from Scan, the 3XS Vengeance. Housing the top-end Core i7 2600K and coupling it with Nvidia's outstanding GTX 580 meant that it was one hell of a rig. Granted it was close to two grand for the base unit alone, but mighty impressive it was too. In general terms though when you're looking to pick up a high-end gaming rig the £1,000 mark is where most of the smart money goes. And we've not seen a grand rig that could come close to this YOYOTech beauty. Packs a punch The overclocked i5-2500K sitting at the heart of the Asus P67 board is an incredible processor. It may not have the HyperT...
Build It! A Sandy-Bridge Powered Gaming PC (for under a grand)
By MaximumPC, published 17-02-2011
You don’t need to spend a fortune to take advantage of Intel’s newest platform Previous builds in this section have tended toward the expensive side, whether they’ve been the $8,600 photo studio or our $1,800 mini-ITX gaming build. While we stand by those choices (this is Maximum PC), we’ve also heard your cries for more affordable options. Often, a budget build means buying parts that are a little past their prime—and don’t get us wrong, you can find great deals there. But for this month’s build, I knew I wanted to explore Intel’s hot new Sandy Bridge architecture—and, if I could swing it, one of AMD’s new Radeon 6800 series GPUs—while keeping my total budget under $1,000. (Editor's Note: This was written before the Sandy Bridge snafu, but hey, it's still a great bui...
Updated: 15 best PC upgrades for gamers
By TechRadar, published 17-02-2011
What are the best gaming upgrades for your PC today? How do you turn a whimpering little PC into the gaming goliath you want, nay, deserve?Well, stick around because no matter what you can afford to spend, we've got a the best PC upgrade for you.Obviously the key components we'll be looking at are the graphics card, CPU, motherboard, memory and your storage devices. Upgrading any of these will always help, and we're here to tell you which ones are right for you.To get the most out of your machine you need to know first what you're mostly going to be using it for and secondly which components will deliver the best performance increase for the things you're going to do with it.After all, there's little point in forking out £500 on a dual-GPU graphics card when all you're using it for is pla...
Intel introduces new Extreme Edition 6-core processor - Core i7 990X
By Thinkdigit, published 17-02-2011
Intel has introduced a new six-core processor, the Core i7 990X Extreme Edition, and simultaneously cut prices for its previous top-end Extreme Edition offerings (going 34% lower with the Core i7-970 and 48% lower with the Core i7-960). Based on 32nm fabrication technology, the Core i7 990X processor will launch as the fastest six-core CPU for desktops and ultra-high end desktop replacement notebooks, clocked at 3.46GHz, with 12 threads using Hyper-Threading technology. It has 12MB of cache, [...] Read the entire article
iBuypower Paladin XLC Review
By MaximumPC, published 26-01-2011
Hexa-core’s white knight? Ever since the appearance of Intel’s smoking-fast second-gen Core i7 processor in January, we’ve been wondering if Intel’s hexa-cores still have a purpose. When iBuypower’s Paladin XLC strode into town with a hearty Intel six-core inside its shining white armor, we expected an epic battle. And we got one. Outfitted with Intel’s priciest hexa-core, the 3.33GHz Core i7-980X, the Paladin XLC seemed destined to take on Falcon Northwest’s black-clad Mach V system that we reviewed in February. Using NZXT’s excellent Phantom case, the Paladin XLC certainly strikes an impressive pose. Along with 12GB of DDR3/1600, a 128GB A-Data SSD, a 2TB hard drive, and a 10x Blu-ray burner, the Paladin XLC fields an imposing collection of hardware, and at a decent pric...
Falcon Northwest Mach V Review
By MaximumPC, published 20-01-2011
Sandy Bridge and GeForce GTX 580 appear Who came up with the concept of a vertically oriented motherboard that positions the graphics cards upright so the tremendous heat they generate vents straight up? It’s hard to say who first had the idea—we’ve seen cases that feature this design, and the Main-Gear Shift PC that we reviewed in June 2010 took the same approach. But Falcon Northwest claims it had a stake in the original idea and has even provided time-stamped images of its prototypes of the inverted design from 2002. That certainly predates the aforementioned examples, as well as Voodoo’s luxurious but elusive Omen. Falcon Northwest’s new Mach V case gets vertical. So, why the delay in finally getting a vertical design out? Falcon says exorbitant tooling costs prevented its ...
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Intel Core i7 970 : (8.7/10)
4 expert reviews
0 user reviews
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Intel Core i7 940 : (8/10)
1 expert reviews
0 user reviews
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Intel Core i7 930 : (9/10)
1 expert reviews
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Intel Core i7 875K : (8/10)
4 expert reviews
0 user reviews
