SAPPHIRE HD 3870 Goes TOXIC!

SAPPHIRE HD 3870 TOXIC version features the award winning - and SAPPHIRE exclusive -Vapor-X single slot cooler, SAPPHIRE's implementation of Vapour Chamber Technology (VCT). This advanced cooling solution provides more efficient and quieter cooling allowing the TOXIC edition to ship overclocked out of the box, and to allow enthusiasts even more scope for performance tuning. The single slot design allows the use of multiple cards in the latest CrossFireX configurations even where PCI-Express slots are sited closely together.

The SAPPHIRE HD 3870 TOXIC has 512MB of high performance GDDR4 memory, clocked at 1152MHz (2.3GHz effective) and the GPU core is pre-overclocked at 800MHz. Supporting the new CrossFireX technology, two high speed connectors on each card allow 2 (now) and 3 or even 4 graphics cards (with a future driver release) to be daisy-chained together for enhanced performance when installed in a CrossFireX mainboard.

All SAPPHIRE graphics cards in the HD 3000 series incorporate the latest ATI Avivo HD Technology for enhanced Video display and feature a built in UVD (Unified Video decoder) for the hardware accelerated decoding of Blu-ray and HD DVD content for both VC-1 and H.264 codecs, considerably reducing CPU loading. The dedicated HDMI adaptor delivers true audio and video output on a single cable for direct connection to an HDMI ready display.

SAPPHIRE HD 3000 series graphics cards are Microsoft Windows Vista Premium certified and supported by the ATI Catalyst suite of software, ensuring customers have ongoing access to software updates for performance, stability and added features. Support for DirectX10.1 provides developers with access to enhanced programming techniques and new lighting effects.

Razer Mako 2.1 Speakers

The Mako Infusion

A few months back, we were introduced to the Razer Mako, a 2.1 speaker system featuring solid audio delivery and well-designed aesthetics. When we finally received a review unit, we found that there were more revelations lying in wait for us to discover.

The Dome Experience

Whilst un-boxing the Razer Mako, the first noticeable thing will be its substantial weight. Though both satellite speakers are of reasonable proportions, the same can't be said for the woofer, which is one heavy pod for its size. Still, its dome-shaped design gives the Mako a pleasing futuristic look.

Unlike conventional speakers, Razer utilizes propriety jacks akin to an Ethernet port for its satellite connections. Two output ports are available, with a 3.5mm audio jack from the woofer to the audio card output and a RCA port that allows you to utilize the Mako as a pseudo home theater system.

The Mako's touch sensitive control pod gains full access to the unit with the woofer acting as the main hub. Its control interface includes the following functions: the power button, indicated by the glowing Razer logo, a switch for Mute, Line 1, Line 2, Volume and Bass and lastly, a scroller that controls either Volume or Bass levels. Though some might find it similar to Logitech's Z10 interface, the Mako's control pod definitely isn't what the Z10 is. With the Mako, the need for a full contact point to operate the control pod places unnecessary hassle on the user, since more pressure is required to register an input.

Audible Magic

Coming to the test proper, we chose a few selected compressed audio tracks at 192kbps and 128kbps bitrates to determine audio fidelity. The Mako sounded a little underpowered with its 120Hz crossover frequency, and delivered average performance on bass levels through its 50W satellite speakers on Fatboy Slim's bass-heavy "Right Here, Right Now" track. Lower frequency ranges on the other hand were decent with minimal distortions at high volumes, and vocals were well defined at mid-range, as tested with "Hell Freezes Over" by Eagles on an XRCD2. On a gaming level, we took Petroglyph's "Universe At War" for a spin, and true to its purpose, the Mako delivered an impeccable audio experience surrounded with the game's mechanized voices and alien war machines.

Further tests were conducted to determine the audio quality based on its ClassHD digital amplifier technology, which is really a double-edged sword. By providing varying power on the amplifier based on its necessity, distortion is reduced drastically but tests on THX certified films such as "The Lion King 3" showed that there was a compromise in its loudness due to a limitation of its power delivery to the amplifier to lower distortion levels.

While conventional 2.1 speakers tend to send audio output in a single, narrow direction, we were impressed with the Mako's omni-directional satellite output. More importantly, the downward-firing design of the satellite speakers utilizes your desktop as an intermediate medium, which amplifies the audio waves and creates a virtual 360 degree experience.

The Last Movement

With a track record of producing state-of-the-art gaming peripherals, Razer's foray to excite gamers with its very own audio system for gaming purposes could provide stiff competition for its fellow rivals such as Bose's Companion 5 and Harmon Kadon's SoundSticks II. Priced at a hefty S$629.99, consumers should expect an above average 2.1 sound system, which is excellent for gaming, but not one that can yet replace your current home theater system.

Product Specifications

THX-certified quality and performance
ClassHD digital amplifier technology with digital DSP control
Higher efficiency curves, improved SNR and EMI, and lowered distortion levels
Patented THX Ground Plane and THX Slot Speaker technologies
Downward-firing design with optimized acoustic enclosure
All-in-one remote control pod with touch-sensitive LED dial
3.5mm auxiliary input minijack
3.5mm headphone minijack
RCA audio input
Frequency Range:25-20,000Hz (+/-2.5dB 40-18,000Hz)
Total system power: 300W RMS

Walton Chaintech Introduces 9600GT Graphics Card

Walton Chaintech Introduces the First GeForce 9 Series Graphics Card with HDMI Support - CHAINTECH GSE96GT

Walton Chaintech, introduces its first GeForce 9 series graphics card - CHAINTECH GSE96GT. The new 9600GT offers an even more updated core code named G94. GeForce 9600GT graphics card is NVIDIA’s first performance product running on a 256-bit bus; moreover, it supports HDMI which brings not only cutting-edge DirectX 10 gaming experience but also HD video enjoyment.

The all new CHAINTECH GSE96GT runs a core clock rate of 650MHz and 1800MHz memory clock. The card comes with 512MB of GDDR3 memory running on a 256-bit bus. To keep pace of cutting-edge technology, CHAINTECH GSE96GT graphics card is equipped with a DVI to HDMI adapter and SPDIF IN on board. Along with this simple connectivity, the audio/video signals on PC will be correspondingly transmitted to LCD for users to watch the latest HD DVD or Blu-ray video on HDTV.

For more realistic gaming effect, CHAINTECH GSE88GT not only comes with PCI Express 2.0 interface to facilitate high transfer rates but also utilizing DirectX 10 to achieve the best vivid image quality.

The dual SLI technology definitely brings out the superiority of CHAINTECH GSE96GT graphics card. The benchmark results of two GeForce 9600GTs with nForce 790i SLI motherboard in SLI mode under Windows Vista is about 20% better than HD 3870x2 with X38. In short, CHAINTECH GSE96GT graphics card could be the next generation card to own. It is really a good chance for users to finally jump to a substantial DirectX 10 card that is actually capable of running DirectX 10 games at a playable frame rate.

Gainward announced the release of BLISS 9600GT Golden Sample graphics card

Gainward announced the release of BLISS 9600GT Golden Sample graphics card

The world’s first graphics card supports the most advanced four display outputs

Gainward, officially announced its first 9 series card - BLISS 9600GT golden sample graphics card to the market. BLISS 9600GT uses the NVIDIA GeForce 9600GT graphics chip and 512MB DDR3 256bit memory, and supports PCI-express 2.0. Equipped with a 700Mhz core clock, 2000Mhz memory clock, and 64 units of stream processors, BLISS 9600GT golden sample can completely run the latest DX10 games and can deliver the most unbelievable gaming experience.

The World’s first graphics card supports DisplayPort, HDMI, Dual-Link DVI-I, and CRT outputs

BLISS 9600GT golden sample supports the most advanced DisplayPort and HDMI output whose resolution can be up to 2560*1600 and 1920*1080. Furthermore, the mainstream Dual-Link DVI-I and CRT (via the DVI-to-D-Sub dongle) is supported in BLISS 9600GT golden sample. BLISS 9600GT golden sample is HDCP compliant and supports NVIDIA PureVideo HD and H.264 decode. You can choose either DisplayPort or HDMI output to connect to the monitor, and then you can start to enjoy the ultimate Blu-ray and HD-DVD movie experience.


The Innovative Silent Cooler

The innovative cooling solution of BLISS 9600GT golden sample includes a copper base, aluminum fins, and a 2 ball bearing fan with PWM control, ensuring lower noise level and longer lifetime. The two heat pipes also help heat transmitting, especially equalizing the heat to a whole cooler without gathering the heat in the bottom of it. Keep the cool and stable working environment even if the card is in full loading.

Smart Control Utility - EXPERTool

Gainward’s unique EXPERTool is smart and easy control software which allows users to monitor GPU’s temperature and fan speed. The fan speed and GPU/Shader/memory clock are also adjustable in the EXPERTool. The native alert tool is the best doorkeeper when the GPU’s temperature is over the warning value and to inform users to clock down the settings or turn off your PC to prevent from damaging the card.

VVIKOO launches its GeForce 9600GT Turbo graphics card

Equipped with a pure cooper cooler from Zalman, promising the best cooling performance

VVIKOO, releases its first GeForce 9 series graphics card – VVIKOO GeForce 9600GT Turbo graphics card. Equipped with the latest NVIDIA GeForce 9600GT graphics chip (D9P) and Zalman’s VF-1000 pure cooper cooler, VVIKOO GeForce 9600GT Turbo can totally satisfy the gamers’ and enthusiasts’ desire for both quality and performance.

Powered by NVIDIA GeForce 9600GT graphics chip (D9P), VVIKOO GeForce 9600GT Turbo supports the PCI-Express 2.0 bus, 64 units of stream processors, and GDDR3 512MB 256bit memory. The GPU and memory clock of VVIKOO 9600GT Turbo are pre-overclocked to 700MHz and 2000MHz, having the better performance to the most popular DX10 games.

The pure copper cooler with four heat pipes made by Zalman

VVIKOO GeForce 9600GT Turbo uses the top class cooler from Zalman which has been used on previous VVIKOO GeForce 8800GT MAX, ensuring the optimized heat dissipation. The four heat pipes on the cooler also promise the ultra fast heat transmitting, equalizing the heat to each fin of a cooler effectively. If you are searching for one 9600GT graphics card with a powerful cooler, VVIKOO GeForce 9600GT Turbo will be your best choice.


Various output interfaces include DisplayPort, HDMI, and 2 * Dual-link DVI-I

VVIKOO GeForce 9600GT Turbo features the latest DisplayPort and HDMI output interfaces which are the most popular interfaces of a graphics card. The standard interface such as Dual-Link DVI-I is included as well. VVIKOO GeForce 9600GT Turbo is HDCP compliant and it supports NVIDIA PureVideo HD and H.264 decode. All you have to do is to connect either DisplayPort or HDMI output interface to the monitor, and then you can easily enjoy the ultimate Blu-ray and HD-DVD movie experience on it.