werty316
07-12-2006, 07:36 PM
Keyboards & Mice
Saitek Pro Gamer Command Unit @ ThinkComputers.org (http://www.thinkcomputers.org/v2/index.php?x=reviews&id=437)
With almost every PC game your keyboard and mouse is what you use to control the game. Sometimes your keyboard just doesn't cut it. You have to reach far just to reload or change weapons. There are not enough keys that are close to program all your keys you use in the game. Well Saitek has solved this problem with the Pro Gamer Command Unit. The Pro Gamer Command Unit combines the controls essential to First Person Shooter and Strategy games in one unit making them fast and easy to reach in the heat of battle.
http://www.thinkcomputers.org/reviews/saitek_PGCU/DSCN1614.JPG
Graphics Cards
MSI NX7600GT-VT2D256E Geforce 7600GT Videocard Review @ PCstats (http://www.pcstats.com/artvnl.cfm?articleID=1983)
At first glance the MSI Computer NX7600GT-VT2D256E PCI Express videocard is pretty impressive compared to GeForce 6600GT class models. The frame buffer has been increased to 256MB over the original GeForce 6600GT spec of 128MB. While nVIDIA did also release a 256MB version of the 6600GT, this time around the videocard can take advantage of the memory. The MSI NX7600GT-VT2D256E videocard also supports two dual link DVI output connectors as well as a whole host of TV output options; everything from component output to traditional S-Video is rolled in.
http://www.pcstats.com/articleimages/200607/msiNX7600GT_front.jpg
Sapphire Radeon X1600 XT Ultimate Review @ Hardware Secrets (http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/355)
Sapphire released a Radeon X1600 XT model using a silent cooling solution. As you know, Radeon X1600 XT is the top mid-range chip from ATI. In this review we will compare its performance to other members of the Radeon X1000 series, to previous ATI chips and also with competing products from nVidia. Let’s take a look on how was the performance of this special model from Sapphire.
http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/8315/imageview2zt.jpg
Inno3D GeForce 7300GT DDR3 256MB Pencil Vmods @ PC Modding Malaysia (http://www.pcmoddingmy.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=2556)
After spending some quality time with the Inno3D GeForce 7300GT DDR3, we were interested to see how well it overclocks with a minor Vmod with pencil. Without any Vmods, the card clocked up to 600/1600MHz (550/1400MHz default) with ease. Since the 7300GT does not cost a fortune, we decided to take the risk and mod it. Would you believe it if we said that we managed to clock the core up to 820MHz and scored 14000marks in 3DMark03 with a single 7300GT?!
http://lp.pcmoddingmy.com/albums/userpics/10001/normal_Inno7300GT_vmod1.jpg
Asus EN7900GT TOP - GeForce 7900 GT @ HotHardware (http://www.hothardware.com/viewarticle.aspx?articleid=828&cid=2)
It's the midrange that the most sales will be made in, and where we will focus our attention on today. Asus' latest release in this field is the EN7900GT TOP, based on the NVIDIA 7900GT GPU. As we alluded to earlier, the 7900GT is an updated version of the 7800GTX, formerly NVIDIA's high-end GPU but with a smaller die size and, as result, higher clock speeds. However, the architecture really hasn't changed otherwise. Are some higher speeds and an updated bundle worth a new purchase? Read on and find out.
http://www.hothardware.com/articleimages/item828/big_cardfront.jpg
Memory
OCZ DDR PC-3200 2GB Special Ops Edition @ ThinkComputers.org (http://www.thinkcomputers.org/v2/index.php?x=reviews&id=436)
Chances are that, unless you've been living under a rock for the last few years, you know who or what OCZ is. If you are one of those that have been living under a rock then you need OCZ and you need to continue reading. OCZ has become a force to be reckoned with as a top ram manufacturer, they consistently put out excellent products and seem to always be releasing something new and even better than before. Well OCZ has done it again, this time they've decided to aim at a specific genre though, the PC Gamer, with their new SPEC OPS limited edition ram. This ram is not only an excellent performer but it really looks cool, OCZ went with a camo motif on the heat spreaders for the SPEC OPS line. So come along as I check this stuff out.
http://www.thinkcomputers.org/reviews/OCZ_SOE/tn_soe%20(4).JPG
Etc
ASUS 128MB AGEIA PPU @ Overclock3D (http://www.overclock3d.net/reviews.php?type=3&id=75&page=1)
Is it worth buying a PhysX just for G.R.A.W.? No I can honestly say it is not quite worth it. Is it worth buying a PhysX for G.R.A.W. and Cell factor?...yes.
If the games that are due to come out using PhysX are as good as Cell Factor is with it's interactivity and physics effects then I have to say that it WILL be worth buying a PhysX card. I have great faith in Epic Games to produce the "killer app" in Unreal Tournament 2007 and if this turns out to really utilise PhysX then this card will be a must buy for gamers.
http://img439.imageshack.us/img439/5141/imageview3bz.jpg
AMD Athlon 64 3000+ Overclocking @ TechSpot (http://www.techspot.com/article/4-athlon64_3000_am2_overclocking/)
Although the AM2 platform is slightly slower than its predecessor, the overclocking potential is far more impressive. Of course for this article I was more interested in the overclocking abilities of this new core, rather than its standard performance. This stepping consumes less power and produces less heat, and this no doubt played a huge roll in the overclocking success of the Orleans core. Utilizing basic air-cooling and the ASUS nForce 590 SLI motherboard, this 1.8GHz AMD processor soared to an unbelievable 2.7GHz! More importantly, this 900MHz overclock would allow the Athlon 64 3000+ to destroy a standard 4000+ with ease.
Saitek Pro Gamer Command Unit @ ThinkComputers.org (http://www.thinkcomputers.org/v2/index.php?x=reviews&id=437)
With almost every PC game your keyboard and mouse is what you use to control the game. Sometimes your keyboard just doesn't cut it. You have to reach far just to reload or change weapons. There are not enough keys that are close to program all your keys you use in the game. Well Saitek has solved this problem with the Pro Gamer Command Unit. The Pro Gamer Command Unit combines the controls essential to First Person Shooter and Strategy games in one unit making them fast and easy to reach in the heat of battle.
http://www.thinkcomputers.org/reviews/saitek_PGCU/DSCN1614.JPG
Graphics Cards
MSI NX7600GT-VT2D256E Geforce 7600GT Videocard Review @ PCstats (http://www.pcstats.com/artvnl.cfm?articleID=1983)
At first glance the MSI Computer NX7600GT-VT2D256E PCI Express videocard is pretty impressive compared to GeForce 6600GT class models. The frame buffer has been increased to 256MB over the original GeForce 6600GT spec of 128MB. While nVIDIA did also release a 256MB version of the 6600GT, this time around the videocard can take advantage of the memory. The MSI NX7600GT-VT2D256E videocard also supports two dual link DVI output connectors as well as a whole host of TV output options; everything from component output to traditional S-Video is rolled in.
http://www.pcstats.com/articleimages/200607/msiNX7600GT_front.jpg
Sapphire Radeon X1600 XT Ultimate Review @ Hardware Secrets (http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/355)
Sapphire released a Radeon X1600 XT model using a silent cooling solution. As you know, Radeon X1600 XT is the top mid-range chip from ATI. In this review we will compare its performance to other members of the Radeon X1000 series, to previous ATI chips and also with competing products from nVidia. Let’s take a look on how was the performance of this special model from Sapphire.
http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/8315/imageview2zt.jpg
Inno3D GeForce 7300GT DDR3 256MB Pencil Vmods @ PC Modding Malaysia (http://www.pcmoddingmy.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=2556)
After spending some quality time with the Inno3D GeForce 7300GT DDR3, we were interested to see how well it overclocks with a minor Vmod with pencil. Without any Vmods, the card clocked up to 600/1600MHz (550/1400MHz default) with ease. Since the 7300GT does not cost a fortune, we decided to take the risk and mod it. Would you believe it if we said that we managed to clock the core up to 820MHz and scored 14000marks in 3DMark03 with a single 7300GT?!
http://lp.pcmoddingmy.com/albums/userpics/10001/normal_Inno7300GT_vmod1.jpg
Asus EN7900GT TOP - GeForce 7900 GT @ HotHardware (http://www.hothardware.com/viewarticle.aspx?articleid=828&cid=2)
It's the midrange that the most sales will be made in, and where we will focus our attention on today. Asus' latest release in this field is the EN7900GT TOP, based on the NVIDIA 7900GT GPU. As we alluded to earlier, the 7900GT is an updated version of the 7800GTX, formerly NVIDIA's high-end GPU but with a smaller die size and, as result, higher clock speeds. However, the architecture really hasn't changed otherwise. Are some higher speeds and an updated bundle worth a new purchase? Read on and find out.
http://www.hothardware.com/articleimages/item828/big_cardfront.jpg
Memory
OCZ DDR PC-3200 2GB Special Ops Edition @ ThinkComputers.org (http://www.thinkcomputers.org/v2/index.php?x=reviews&id=436)
Chances are that, unless you've been living under a rock for the last few years, you know who or what OCZ is. If you are one of those that have been living under a rock then you need OCZ and you need to continue reading. OCZ has become a force to be reckoned with as a top ram manufacturer, they consistently put out excellent products and seem to always be releasing something new and even better than before. Well OCZ has done it again, this time they've decided to aim at a specific genre though, the PC Gamer, with their new SPEC OPS limited edition ram. This ram is not only an excellent performer but it really looks cool, OCZ went with a camo motif on the heat spreaders for the SPEC OPS line. So come along as I check this stuff out.
http://www.thinkcomputers.org/reviews/OCZ_SOE/tn_soe%20(4).JPG
Etc
ASUS 128MB AGEIA PPU @ Overclock3D (http://www.overclock3d.net/reviews.php?type=3&id=75&page=1)
Is it worth buying a PhysX just for G.R.A.W.? No I can honestly say it is not quite worth it. Is it worth buying a PhysX for G.R.A.W. and Cell factor?...yes.
If the games that are due to come out using PhysX are as good as Cell Factor is with it's interactivity and physics effects then I have to say that it WILL be worth buying a PhysX card. I have great faith in Epic Games to produce the "killer app" in Unreal Tournament 2007 and if this turns out to really utilise PhysX then this card will be a must buy for gamers.
http://img439.imageshack.us/img439/5141/imageview3bz.jpg
AMD Athlon 64 3000+ Overclocking @ TechSpot (http://www.techspot.com/article/4-athlon64_3000_am2_overclocking/)
Although the AM2 platform is slightly slower than its predecessor, the overclocking potential is far more impressive. Of course for this article I was more interested in the overclocking abilities of this new core, rather than its standard performance. This stepping consumes less power and produces less heat, and this no doubt played a huge roll in the overclocking success of the Orleans core. Utilizing basic air-cooling and the ASUS nForce 590 SLI motherboard, this 1.8GHz AMD processor soared to an unbelievable 2.7GHz! More importantly, this 900MHz overclock would allow the Athlon 64 3000+ to destroy a standard 4000+ with ease.