Whats new in computer Technology? [Updated October 24\09]

Use your GPU for more than just Crysis.

The latest entry on the Microsoft Partner blog is from Nvidia and pushes the idea of the GPGPU. While it is written from an Nvidia product-focused, the same principals and advantages exist with GPUs from other vendors (such as your Radeon).

"With the introduction of Windows 7, the GPU and CPU will exist in a co-processing environment where each can handle the computing task they are best suited for," wrote Chris Daniel, product manager for software at Nvidia. "The CPU is exceptionally good at performing sequential calculations, I/O, and program flow, whereas the GPU is perfectly suited for performing massive parallel calculations."

Microsoft is doing its part by putting DirectX Compute in Windows 7, so that developers can make better use of the GPU for tasks other than just graphics acceleration. Having the GPU pitch in where possible will help take the load off of the CPU so that it can focus on other tasks. The ideal end result of this is that the PC should be more responsive thanks to efficient use of processing power.

In response to the cries of many testers who felt their help and feedback were under-appreciated, Microsoft has reversed a previous decision and announced it would hand out free copies of Windows 7 Ultimate to those who received the earliest builds of the operating system last year. The offer applies to members of the invitation-only Windows 7 Technical Beta Program – meaning users who downloaded the public beta or release candidate are not eligible for the thank you.

Just last week, when Microsoft announced Windows 7 had hit the RTM milestone, it also revealed that in contrast to Windows Vista testers this time no one would be receiving a free copy of their upcoming OS. Even though the company warned this could be the case back in December 2008 when the beta program began, it’s nice to see them do the right thing here.

Eligible testers can expect their copy on the day Windows 7 RTM build hits MSDN and TechNet – August 6.

Corsair has introduced a new high-end DDR3 RAM kit “designed specifically” for socket AM3 Phenom II CPUs. At launch, the kit will be comprised of two 2GB modules, to make 4GB in total. Each is tested to run at a frequency of 1,600MHz with 6-6-6-18 1T timings at 1.65V.

Corsair has added support for AMD’s Black Edition Memory Profiles, so changing that configuration should be a breeze with AMD’s OverDrive Windows utility. Keeping the module’s memory chips
and PCB cool are Corsair’s DHX+ heatsinks, which have removable fins to support Corsair’s liquid cooling products, and the kit itself ships with a clip-on air cooler with dual 60mm fans.

Granted, most people building an AMD-based rig these days are probably working with a tight budget. Nevertheless, Corsair's premium DDR3 kit can be yours for $350 by heading over to their online store (and only their store).

OCZ's upcoming Colossus SSDs will cost between $300 and $2200.

upcoming Colossus SSDs will cost between $300 and $2200.

Engadget managed to acquire the pricing and availability of OCZ Technology's upcoming Colossus line of SSDs. According to OCZ, the 1 TB drive will cost consumers a whopping $2200, and should be available on the market in "about three weeks." The hefty 400g 1 TB drive--or rather a working prototype--first made an appearance at Computex this past June, revealing a chunky 3.5-inch form factor for desktops that doesn't require converter brackets.

Electronista is also reporting that the 1 TB drive integrates two separate SSD components that are arranged in a RAID 0 configuration, driven by a JMicron controller. The drive supposedly features read speeds of up to 250 MB/s and write speeds of 220 MB/s over a SATA2 interface.

In addition to the 1 TB version, OCZ will also offer three other Colossus SSDs: the 120 (128 GB @ $300), 250 (256 GB @ $650), and the 500 (512 GB @ $1200).

AMD to Support OpenGL 3.1 and 3.2.

Earlier this year, AMD released its OpenGL 3.0 drivers. Today AMD takes the next step by pledging support for OpenGL 3.1 – and eventually OpenGL 3.2 – on its ATI FirePro 3D graphics accelerators.

AMD said that the new Catalyst drivers supporting OpenGL 3.1 is expected to be available August 12.

"OpenGL 3.1 helps developers to take full advantage of powerful ATI FirePro graphics accelerators that provide performance, stability and visionary innovation for graphics professionals," said Janet Matsuda, senior director, AMD Professional Graphics. "AMD continues to deliver OpenGL support that in turn enhances CAD, digital content creation and scientific application provider offerings. Further, AMD’s OpenGL extensions, such as tessellation, help developers
increase the visual quality of 3D objects and enable the creation of highly realistic looking characters, objects and scenery. We look forward to future enhancements that we expect to be available in OpenGL 3.2 and beyond."

Stay tuned for download links to the new drivers next week.

One little nano receiver to rule them all.

The days of wired keyboard and mice are mostly over, even for desktops where having an extra couple of wires isn't a big deal. Unless one's system is equipped with Bluetooth and paired with all Bluetooth devices, wireless keyboards and/or mice will take up USB ports.

While some keyboard and mouse combos (sold as "wireless
desktops") can sometimes share a receiver, it's usually of the bulky variety. Logitech now improves upon things by taking its 'nano' USB receiver and making it compatible with a several choices of keyboards (the both ergonomic and traditional choices of K350 and K340) and mice (M705 and M505 for desktops and laptops).

Transcend's new value-priced JetFlash V15 series of USB flash drives come pre-installed with Trend Micro USB Security.

On Sunday, Transcend announced that it teamed up with Trend Micro, Inc. to offer the latter company's antivirus software--Trend Micro USB Security--preloaded on the new JetFlash V15 series of USB flash drives. The combination ensures end users that they can share, store, and manage files on the drive without having to worry about viruses, malware, and other security threats.

On the hardware side, the USB drives come in four capacities: 16 GB, 8 GB, 4 GB, and 2 GB. Transcend said that the 16 GB version provides read speeds up to 32 MB/s and write speeds up to 16 MB/s, however all models are capless and feature a retractable USB connector with lock-switch, protecting the drive from damage during travel.

Faulty GPUs take a bite out of Nvidia.

While the cutting latest Nvidia GPUs appear to be mostly free from manufacturing error, the faulty GPU continues to plague both the company and owners of the chip.

Disclosed in its quarterly filings, Nvidia revealed a charge that cost the company $119.1 million over the last four months to cover warranty and replacement costs related to the faulty chips due to weak packaging materials, according to Network World.

The $119.1 million charge itself brought company's bottom line down, as the company recorded a quarterly net loss of $105.3 million. This compares to a net loss of $120.9 million reported in the second quarter of 2008

Will Microsoft release Windows 8 in 2012?

With Windows 7 poised like a racehorse huffing at the start gate, it's hard to imagine plans for the next version. However, if a leaked roadmap from the Italian Microsoft subsidiary is correct, consumers may see Windows 8 sometimes around 2012. Granted it's easy to doctor a roadmap image using Photoshop and whatnot, a new OS three years from now certainly isn't unlikely.

This blog points out the tilda next to the date, indicating that Microsoft isn't exactly locked on a 2012 deadline, giving the company some breathing room. "That tilda keeps things nice 'n loose for Microsoft's public deadline, but if Windows 7's development is exemplary of how future versions of Windows are to be developed, (2nd half of) 2012 could be considered a worst-case scenario for the delivery of Windows 8 Server," the blog reads.

Could the ATI DirectX 11 card be launching on September 10? Could be!

Earlier this year during June, AMD demonstrated at Computex the first DirectX 11 GPU, and most recently at Quakecon, the chip maker is showing off its latest silicon once again.

Expreview got a hold of an AMD presentation from Quakecon that reads, "On Thursday, September 10, 2009, you won't believe your eyes… Please join us as we unveil a new PC experience. Formal invitation with more details to come."

Given the timing of the slide and the recent demonstration of the ATI "Evergreen" DX11 hardware, it's a safe assumption that AMD will be launching something next month.

Rearming your Windows 7 will let it run freely for 120 days without activation. Neato!

In order for Microsoft to verify legitimate versions of Windows 7, users must activate their copies of the operating system within a finite time limit. On first inspection, that time limit appears to be 30 days, but as was the case with Windows Vista, there is a way to stretch that limit to nearly four months.

Like Windows Vista, the upcoming Windows 7 comes with a command line utility called the Software License Manager (slmgr.exe) that allows the user to issue "-rearm" switch that will reset the countdown timer back to 30 days. This command may be issued a maximum of three times. If a user issues this command at the end of each 30-day period for three times, he or she would be able to use Windows 7 unrestricted for up to 120 days.

The procedure to reset the countdown is identical to the process used for Windows Vista:

1. Start the command line by clicking Start > All Programs > Accessories > Command Prompt (Run As Administrator) – or for a shortcut, hit the Windows Key + R and type "cmd".
2. At the command line, enter in "slmgr –rearm" without the quotations.
3. Restart Windows 7.

After the reboot, your counter will have reset back the 30 days.

Microsoft confirmed to Computerworld that this trick does indeed work. "This means [that] a total of 120 days total time is available as a grace period to customers that take advantage of -rearm," said a company spokeswoman.

Interestingly enough, the Microsoft representative said that extending the activation grace period using the slmgr is not a violation of the EULA.

Asus Eee Keyboard Pushed Back to October

If it seems like you've been waiting an eternity for the Asus Eee keyboard to arrive, that's because it has been long overdue.

We first laid eyes on it in January at CES and we were impressed and looking forward to release. It was said to be hitting sometime in June, but that date came and went with a new August forecast in its place. Now that we're nearing the end of August, another new date is slipping into its place.

According to Digitimes, Asus is now expected to launch Eee keyboard as early as in October for around $400 to $500.

When Shuttle announced its XS29F several months ago, we were told it would bring complete silence to desktop
computing (along with its alternative applications, such as a file player for home theaters).

But it was the Mini-ITX fanatics and VIA faithful, rather than Shuttle, who made these claims, and the manufacturer itself provided only a short list of specs for this Nano U1700-powered “nettop” computer--the desktop equivalent of a netbook.

When you're talking about portable computing, the name “netbook” implies a simplified notebook designed expressly as an Internet terminal. Applying the same low-power, reduced-performance technology to desktops allows Shuttle to build its tiny XS29F without any fan whatsoever. Adding your choice of a solid-state drive (SSD), rather than a traditional notebook hard disk drive, can make the system a completely silent space-saving machine perfect for use in noise-sensitive areas like libraries, hospitals, and audio labs.

Rumor has it that Lynnfield will be here next week.

According to Digitimes' sources at motherboard makers, Intel's upcoming Core i5-750, Core i7-860 and Core i7-870 CPUs as well as P55 chipsets
will be announced on September 8.

While the upcoming Lynnfield platform parts haven't officially been launched yet, some retailers have already received new Core i5 and Core i7 CPUs and are already selling them, much to Intel's chagrin.

Either way, motherboard makers are excited for the new Intel P55 chipset as it is expected to boost sales by 15 to 20 percent in the fourth quarter. P55 boards are expected to make up one fifth of total shipments by the end of the year.

Microsoft is not releasing any additional service packs for all versions of Windows XP.

Looks like an era is coming to an end, as Microsoft is now shifting its focus away from supporting old-timer Windows XP on a service pack level, and looking at the hot new chick in town, the sexy Windows 7. According to Softpedia, SP3 was the last service pack for the 32-bit version of Windows XP (x86); SP2 was the last major update for the 64-bit version (x64). Microsoft officially announced the end of the road for the 32-bit version some time ago, but there was hope that the company would puke up another service pack for x64 XP before the OS headed out to the pasture.

Unfortunately, that doesn't seem to be the case. If fact, Microsoft confirmed its legal separation from Windows XP on a whole, admitting that it's fallen out of love and will never return again, even in the case of x64 XP. "We have received inquiries from our customers and partners on whether or not there will be a need for a Service Pack 3 for Windows Server 2003," said Crissy House, the Windows Server Operations manager. "Microsoft will not have a SP3 release for Windows Server 2003."

In the past, Microsoft has delivered service packs for the 64-bit version of Windows XP and major updates to Server 2003
at the same time, hence the assumption that the same cut-off date applied to x64. While the comment from House refers to Windows Server 2003, a spokesman for Microsoft told Softpedia that the divorce also applies to any version of Windows XP.

Thanks for the memories, you were a good OS.

Point Grey demonstrated that USB 3.0 can be used to stream uncompressed HD video.

Yesterday Point Grey decided to tease IDF attendees with its prototype webcam that can actually stream HD video across the upcoming USB 3.0 interface. The company demonstrated that uncompressed video at 1920 x 1080 can stream at 60fps without any hitches using the new USB technology. Granted 1080p can temporarily result in rather large files, the imagery is super sharp and crystal clean, especially from a makeshift webcam.

Big things are getting smaller.


Just after Intel was proud to show off its 32nm wafer for its Westmere processor, the world's largest chipmaker today brought out the first working chips built on the 22nm process.

Intel President and CEO Paul Otellini took to the stage with 22nm test circuits that include both SRAM memory as well as logic circuits to be used in future Intel microprocessors.

Specs (Bottom is 4870)

Radeon HD 5870
Radeon HD 4870
Die Size
334 square millimeters
263 square millimeters
Transistors
2.15 billion
.956 billion
Memory Bandwidth
153 GB/s
115 GB/s
AA Resolve
128
64
Z/Stencil
128
64
Texture Units
80
40
Shader (ALUs)
1,600
800
Idle Board Power
27W
90W
Active Board Power
188W
160W

It's a lot cheaper than retail -- and that's why you've been holding off preordering, right?


Nearly all Windows 7 pricing news up to this point has been about retail SKUs, but most of you have been holding out for word of OEM prices.

OEM versions of Windows do not come without fancy boxes, manuals, packaging, or even tech support, but they do come with a lower sticker price.

Early prices from online retailer Newegg reveals that OEM copies of Windows 7 are substantially cheaper – in some cases it's less than half price of the retail version.

Newegg is selling Home Premium for $100, while the retail price is $200. Those looking for the Professional version can get an even greater break as the OEM is $135, compared to $300 for the retail.

Still not good enough? Then you can hand over $175 for the Ultimate SKU, which would cost $320 in stores.

Newegg isn't currently restricting that Windows 7 OEM versions be purchased with hardware, so this could be the cheapest way to grab a full-install version of the OS that launches in less than a month.