Zotac Announces Factory Overclocked GTX 770 Cards, AMP! Edition Is Fastest So Far

Subject: General Tech | June 1, 2013 - 10:50 PM | Tim Verry
Tagged: zotac, gtx 770, gk-104, gaming

Not to be left out, GPU partner Zotac has announced its own set of graphics cards based on NVIDIA's GK-104 GTX 770 GPU called the GTX 770 and GTX 770 AMP! Edition. Both cards come with Zotac's custom dual fan cooler and have some impressive factory overclocks. In fact, the GTX 770 AMP! Edition is the fastest factory clocked GTX 770 so far, and is the only card to feature overclocked memory.

The Zotac Geforce GTX 770 features a GPU base clock of 1059 MHz and a GPU boost clock of 1098 MHz. It will be available with either 2GB or 4GB of GDDR5 memory. In either memory configuration, Zotac is keeping the GDDR5 at the stock clockspeed of 7010 MHz.

Meanwhile, the GTX 770 AMP! Edition has GPU clockspeeds of 1150 MHz base and an impressive 1202 MHz boost. However, the GTX 770 AMP! does not only feature an overclocked GPU, but overclocked memory at 7200 MHz.

The chart below compares the two Zotac graphics cards.

Both of the Zotac graphics cards also come with a Splinter Cell game bundle that includes three (digital download) games:

• Splinter Cell: Double Agent
• Splinter Cell: Conviction
• Splinter Cell: Blacklist (will be release later this summer)

As far as pricing and availability, the GTX 770 (ZT-70301-10P) is on sale now at Newegg for $400, but the 4GB GTX 770 and GTX 770 AMP! have not yet been released by the looks of it, and Zotac has not announced official pricing or ship dates yet. More information can be found here. The AMP! Edition has some impressive factory overclocks, and the benchmarks should be interesting.

EVGA GTX 770 and GTX 770 Superclocked Graphics Cards Will Use New ACX HSF

Subject: General Tech | June 1, 2013 - 08:58 PM | Tim Verry
Tagged: gtx 770, evga, acx

Now that NVIDIA's GTX 770 reference graphics card is official, the various partners have begun unleashing their own spins on the hardware. Unlike the TITAN, NVIDIA is allowing custom PCBs and coolers, making the selection of GTX 770 cards much more diverse and unique.

In fact, EVGA has a slew of GTX 770-based graphics cards planned for 2014. Out of the gate, there will be two graphics cards available to consumers: The GTX 770 and the GTX 770 Superclocked. Both cards will come equipped with the company's new ACX cooler. In addition, the GTX 770 FTW, GTX 770 4GB, GTX 770 FTW 4GB, and the GTX 770 Classified 4GB cards will also come with the ACX cooler and will be available later this year. Details on those last four cards are still unknown, but EVGA has provided specifications on the first two, which will be available soon.

The EVGA GTX 770 w/ ACX

The EVGA GTX 770 w/ ACX is a GK-104 “Kepler” GPU clocked at 1046 MHz base and 1085 MHz boost. The card also features 2GB of GDDR5 memory clocked at 7010 MHz.

EVGA is also introducing a Superclocked edition of the GTX 770 that will use the new ACX cooler. This GTX 770 ACX Superclocked has factory overclocked speeds of 1111 MHz base and 1163 MHz boost. The 2GB of GDDR5 memory remains at the reference clockspeed of 7010 MHz.

Both of these cards use EVGA's new ACX cooler which uses a new heatsink design paired with two fans (dual ball bearing) and a back-plate that is reportedly lighter, quieter, and cooler-running than the reference cooler.

The EVGA GTX 770 4GB Classified GPU with ACX cooler. It is listed on the site, but not available yet.

The EVGA GTX 770 ACX and GTX 770 Superclocked ACX will be available soon for an as-yet-unannounced price. The Superclocked edition has some impressive factory overclock numbers, though it will likely come at a premium. The other interesting takeaway from the EVGA announcement is the confirmation of 4GB GTX 770 cards coming in the future. More information can be found on the EVGA product page.

ASUS Announces New PCs With Intel Haswell Processors

Subject: General Tech | June 1, 2013 - 03:55 PM | Tim Verry
Tagged: tower, Intel, haswell, desktop, asus, all in one

ASUS recently launched three new PCs that are powered by Intel's new “Haswell” fourth generation Core processors. Specifically, ASUS will be launching a new desktop called the M51 as well as two all-in-one PCs: the ET2702 and ET2301.

Details on the new computers are still unknown, but ASUS has provided some basic specifications that users will able to build off off with a bit of customization during ordering. All three PCs will use Intel's latest Haswell processors and can be outfitted with discrete graphics cards from AMD or NVIDIA. ASUS is also including its SonicMaster audio technology in each computer.

The M51 desktop is fitted into a tower-style chassis. In addition to the Haswell CPU and AMD/NV add-in cards, the desktop PC features a removable UPS, an externally-accessible SATA hot swap drive bay, wireless charging for Qi devices, USB ports with Ai Charger II technology (for charging tablets faster than the standard USB power output), and automatic fan speed control.

The ET2301 is an all-in-one PC with a 23” display. The display allows up to 5-point multi-touch as is a 23” IPS 1080p display with 178-degree viewing angles. The PC also comes with three free years of 32GB Asus cloud storage and an optional subwoofer.

Alternatively, the ET2702 is a larger 27” all-in-one PC. It features a 27” IPS display with 10-point multi-touch and a resolution of 2560 x 1440. This AIO can be configured with Thunderbolt ports and a subwoofter (optional).

Beyond that details on the pricing and configuration options is still unknown. Stay tuned to PC Perspective for more Haswell PC news.

You can find the full press release after the break.

Antec fully supports Haswell

Subject: General Tech, Cases and Cooling | May 31, 2013 - 05:27 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
Tagged: antec, haswell, PSU

Antec released two lists today covering the compatibility of both their PSUs and their notebook chargers.  If you are worried that your current hardware will not support the new low power states implemented in Haswell check through the list and if your product is listed you are good to go.  If not you can treat these as shopping lists for your next PSU or notebook adapter.

PSUs

Notebook Adapters

Dell U3014 30" UltraSharp 2560 x 1600 @ $1250

Subject: General Tech | May 31, 2013 - 03:01 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
Tagged: deals

Continuing this weeks theme of monitor deals is the Dell U3014 30" IPS display, an updated version of their long running Ultrasharp 30" series.  The specs remain similar to the old U3011 with new connectivity options, a 4-port USB 3.0 hub, DisplayPort 1.2 and mini-DisplayPort 1.2 along with legacy connections.  With a $250 instant rebate now is a good time to jump on this deal if you were planning on moving your display up to the big leagues.

Dell U3014 30" UltraSharp 2560 x 1600 LED-backlit IPS LCD Monitor
Dell Home is offering flagship 30" UltraSharp - the U3014 (successor to the existing U3011 model) for $1,249.99 with FREE shipping. Backed by 3-Year Advanced Exchange Service and Premium Panel Guarantee. Use $250 instant savings to get final price.

Computex 2013: ASUS PQ321 is a 31.5" 4K monitor

Subject: General Tech, Displays, Shows and Expos | May 31, 2013 - 02:12 AM | Scott Michaud
Tagged: PQ321, computex, asus, 4k

Computex, the second largest expo for computer hardware, is less than a week away but its influence tends to bleed over a little bit. And, since we know our readers love 4K displays, we thought we might pass along a leak we found for a new ASUS monitor.

Image source, ASUS via TechPowerUP

And yes, that is a 32"

The Asus PQ321 is both a relatively easy-to-remember model number and a 31.5" computer monitor with 4K2K resolution. Connect it to your computer with DisplayPort or, for at least some US models, dual HDMI to have the same resolution as IMAX Digital as well as have a legitimate reason to pick up multiple GeForce Titan graphics cards.

The raw specifications are:

• 31.5 inch display size (16:9 aspect ratio)
• Indium Gallium Zinc Oxide (IGZO) panel, LED backlit
• 3840x2160 resolution (140ppi)
• 1.07 billion colors (10-bit RGB)
• 176 / 176 (H / V) degree viewing angle
• 350 cd/m² brightness
• 8ms (gtg) response time
• Color temperature and gamma adjustments
• I/O: DisplayPort, 2x HDMI ("optional"), RS-232C, 3.5mm audio in and out
• 2W stereo speakers
• Tilt, swivel, height adjustments; VESA mount (no landscape/portrait pivot)
• 750mm x 489mm x 256mm with stand, 13kg net weight
• Comes with DisplayPort 1.2 cable and an RS-232C conversion cable (???)

Looking at these specifications, it certainly feels like an IPS-equivalent technology with some very telltale characteristics: the relatively slow response time for seemingly no reason, the 1.07 billion colors, the very wide viewing angle, and the relatively high pixel density per inch. This prompted me to look over at the ASUS website for some tea leaf reading. It looks as though all P- or M-series monitors utilize some form of IPS technology, the M-series referring to thin-bezel options and the P-series to relatively image quality-focused products.

So as best as I can tell, the PQ321 is a 31.5" 4K IPS monitor.

ASUS is expected to display this at Computex 2013 in Taipei along with a 39" 4K monitor. No word on pricing or availability, at least not yet.

Samsung announces Galaxy S4 mini: what's different?

Subject: General Tech, Mobile | May 30, 2013 - 05:40 PM | Scott Michaud
Tagged: Samsung, Galaxy S4 mini

Because there is a cellphone SKU for everyone, both in design and in direct quantity.

The latest big release, the Galaxy S4, arrived just about a month ago with its 5-inch 1080p screen and potentially dual quad-core processors depending on where you buy it. You could wait until late June and purchased on from the Google Play store containing the full Google experience. If that does not suit you, how about a 4.3" 960x540 version? That would be the Galaxy S4 mini, or at least one of the localized versions they will invariably make for multiple carriers.

But is the only difference the screen? Of course not.

Image, Samsung via Samsung Tomorrow.

Btw, why does Samsung watermark photos on their company blog? Anyone?

One of the constants between the computational hardware of each Galaxy S4 version is the 2GB of RAM; basically everything else differs between specific subversions of the flagship phone. Not the mini! For whatever reason, the S4 mini backs off on the RAM by half a gigabyte leaving it with 1.5 GB.

One of the main selling features of the large S4 is the eight-core (quad-core A15, quad-core A7) SoC developed by Samsung. It was available in the international version, the American version instead having a quad-core processor from Qualcomm. The mini, on the other hand, will contain a slightly lower-clocked dual-core processor.

In the other features: the battery is about 27% smaller albeit with less power-hungry components; the rear camera drops from 13 megapixels to 8 megapixels, whether or not that is worse picture quality is unknown; and the internal storage is 8GB (5 user-accessible), down from the minimum 16GB of the not-mini.

So beyond the name, there does not seem to be many similarities between the regular and the mini S4. It is basically software which links the two devices. The mini has access to services such as S Translator and S Health, although there does not seem to be any discussion of other services like S Travel and OCR software.

Samsung will officially unveil it, with hands-on demos to various press members, on June 20th in London.

The return of the ergonomic keyboard, this time it is mechanical

Subject: General Tech | May 30, 2013 - 04:27 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
Tagged: cherry mx brown, Truly Ergonomic, mechanical keyboard, Model 207, input

Ergonomic keyboards go in and out of style, with some adherents sticking to a particular model but for the rest of us we seem to prefer the clumsy QWERTY layout above all others.  The Model 207 from Truly Ergonomic is a mechanical keyboard, so if your fingers can find the keys you will be rewarded with the satisfaction of knowing that key did depress.  On the other hand as you can see from the picture below finding those keys will take some practice.  You can also take a look at the back of the keyboard at the review on LanOC which shows off the customization possible thanks to the inclusion of dip switches that change the function of some keys.

"When it comes to ergonomic keyboards there are only a few to pick from and, for the most part, all of those are rubber dome keyboards. Ergonomic mechanical keyboards are really limited to two different models, one being the Truly Ergonomic. Today we are going to take a look to see how it compares to everything I have tested to date. I expect an adjustment period just to its shape alone, but as a writer by trade I am very curious how it will affect me day to day. The gamer in me is just as curious on how it will perform in game as well. Let’s take a closer look."

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• TteSports Challenger Gaming Keyboard @ eTeknix
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• Mad Catz R.A.T.M Wireless Mobile Gaming Mouse @ NikKTech
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• A4Tech Bloody Gun3 UC3 Headshot V8 Gaming Mouse Review - $40 For The Ultimate Package @ SSD Review
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• Steelseries WoW MMO Gaming Mouse Legendary Edition @ eTeknix
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