The card will land in stores on June 8th with a price tag of $79.99  whihc is not bad as the card lookes like a slower clocked Radeon HD 4770. The card's core will be clocked at 700MHz - down 50MHz from the Radeon HD 4770 - but its 512MB of GDDR5 memory will run quicker.

PowerColor claims an effective memory speed of 3,600MHz, 400MHz more than the Radeon HD 4770's 3,200MHz - and the number of stream processors remains unchanged at 640. Positioning wise, the Radeon HD 4730 looks a mid-range solution competing and replacing the Radeon HD 4830.

New photo's of the GeForce GTX 295 single PCB have arrived. As it seems, there is not going to be a luanch for this product at all. NVIDIA is going to quietly replace the dual-PCB model with this new single PCB version. We'll review it once it is available of course.

The single-PCB GTX 295 features exactly the similar specs as the dual-PCB model - 2x448bit memory interface, 480 Processing Cores and 1792MB of GDDR3 memory, and GPU/shader/memory clocks of 576/1242/1998 MHz respectively. Expect no performance difference. Though it would be interesting to see what the price, thermals and power consumption will be like.

For now, and handfull of detailed photo's up-close and very personal:

announced that its inaugural GPU Technology Conference will take place September 30 to October 2, 2009. The event will focus on how developers, engineers, and researchers are using the GPU to solve the world's most important computing challenges.

The conference will encompass three simultaneous events -- the Emerging Companies Summit, the GPU Developer Summit, and the NVIDIA Research Summit. Attendees will learn about the shifts occurring in computing, preview disruptive technologies, obtain tools and techniques that could impact mission-critical projects now, and network with experts and peers from across a broad range of fields.

"The GPU has quickly become one of the world's most important processors," stated Bill Dally, chief scientist at NVIDIA. "This event will bring together some of the brightest minds who will share the tools and techniques they used to leverage the enormous parallel processing power of the GPU."

The event will be held at the Fairmont Hotel in San Jose, California. Its three events include:

Emerging Companies Summit
A unique event that provides start-ups that are basing their business around GPU computing with the opportunity to present their company to entrepreneurs and venture capitalists involved in the GPU computing ecosystem.

GPU Developer Summit
A 3-day series of technical presentations, tutorials and panels aimed at developers of consumer, professional and high performance computing applications looking to exploit more of the GPU's parallel processing power using industry-standard languages such as C/C++ and Fortran as well as APIs such as Direct3D, DirectX Compute, OpenCL and OpenGL.

NVIDIA Research Summit
A summit designed by researchers and academics for researchers and academics. Sessions are aimed at those using GPUs in science and engineering research who are keen to learn how GPU computing can increase computational power and reduce time-to-discovery.

Further detailed conference information, including keynotes, sessions, tutorials, roundtables, and call for submissions can be found here.

The Serial ATA International Organization today, made the third-generation SATA interface official. The new interface provides a 6 Gbps high-speed serial data connection between the system and most of today's data storage devices such as hard drives, solid-state drives, optical drives, and enterprise tape drives. The interface also provides connectivity to external storage devices in its eSATA port variant. It is 100% backwards compatible with devices that support the SATA 150 MB/s and SATA II 300 MB/s standards.

The organization listed some of the standard's key enhancements, as follows:

• A new Native Command Queuing (NCQ) streaming command to enable isochronous data transfers for bandwidth-hungry audio and video applications
• An NCQ Management feature that helps optimize performance by enabling host processing and management of outstanding NCQ commands
• Improved power management capabilities.
• A small Low Insertion Force (LIF) connector for more compact 1.8-inch storage devices
• A connector designed to accommodate 7mm optical disk drives for thinner and lighter notebooks
• Alignment with the INCITS ATA8-ACS standard

Hardware manufacturers have already implemented draft versions of the standard in some of their newest storage controllers. As the year progresses, it is hoped that the standard finds its way to storage controller cards and motherboards.

Razer, the world's leading manufacturer of high-end precision gaming and lifestyle peripherals, today announced the release of the Razer Sphex, the first Gaming Grade Desktop Skin with a distinctive ultrathin form factor.

Features

• Adhesive bottom to stick to any surface
• Midsized mouse mat suited for most gaming environments at 320mm by 230mm
• Extra thin to avoid any restrictions to your gaming experience
• Excellent tracking quality for both Laser and Optical mice
• COST: US: $14.99, Europe
  

Alien Babel Tech also spotted the ECS P55H-A, an upcoming P55 motherboard for the Intel Core i5 processors.

The ECS P55H-A features dual x16 PCIe 2.0 supporting

A hot thing to sell these days are PSU's. One wonders what the amrgins are on these puppies. Anyway, Cooling specialist Zalman presented a new 500W power supply with an efficiency of up to 87 percent - the ZM500-RS. The unit has two +12V rails with a max output of 22A, it's cooled by a 120mm fan and should be available soon for around 92EUR.

The PSU has two 12V rails peaking at 22A, has everything from Over-Voltage to Over-Current, Short-Circuit, Under-Voltage, and Over-Temperature protection, and is equipped with a 120mm Hydro Bearing fan. The Zalman ZM500-RS has already started to appear in stores with a price tag of about 92 Euro.

Gelid has released a new thermal compound named GC-2, it replaces the company's GC-1 and will soon be available for 4.99EUR ($6.99).
Optimal heat conductivity and low thermal resistance make the

Propaganda Games (the developers behind the recent Turok title) are teaming up with Disney to create Pirates of the Caribbean: Armada of the Damned Unveiled, a new open world action-RPG based on the Pirates of the Caribbean license. The story takes place before the Pirates of the Caribbean movies with an original plot where players step into the shoes of a new pirate beset with all manner of nasty enemies.

Moral choices, character building, and a supernatural world await.  Combat will be an actiony affair, while RPG mechanics will see the player leveling up over the course of the game. The ship-to-ship combat is said to be "vastly different than any other game," and economic systems are being considered. The game is in development for PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. No release date yet [via ggmania].

 
Check the screenies, they look good.

Guru3D is ten years of age, and we felt we had to give back a little to the community. Next to all crazy contests we have organized we also wanted to do something in return, but in this case for the environment. As such last year we started a project called Guru3D going Green.

The project entailed us installing an array of solar PV panels, compensating and reducing most of the CO2 created by the Guru3D.com servers.

Definitely a nice little read to check out ...

You can find the article right here.

It was merely a year ago when Gainward announced to jump ship from NVIDIA's exclusive ship and sell ATI cards as well. Rumors now state that Gainward soon will announce they'll go back to NVIDIA only, which is a interesting and peculiar move to say the least.

While Gainward released multiple cards like the Radeon 400 series it already was a little weird to see them not release a Radeon HD 4890 or 4770 card. It seems that several distributors already have been informed of this move and the company will announce it soon.

Patriot Memory, a global pioneer in high-performance memory, NAND flash and computer technology, today announced the release of Corza, their network storage server for the home.

The Corza is a network attached storage device that gives the consumer the ability to turn their home computers into their own network. The Corza features the latest networking technology which allows users to stream digital media files, their favorite music and videos, pictures or important data; accessible from anywhere in the world with an internet connection.

Corza's dual hot-swap design accommodates 2x2TB hard drives or up to 4TB total network storage with built in RAID 0, 1, and JBOD controller. Supporting 10/100/1000 gigabit Ethernet, consumers can stream up to 3HD quality movies simultaneously with perfect video and sound. The FTP support feature allows users to remotely share files with family and friends from anywhere there is an internet connection.

"Storage network devices, like the Corza, will be the next mainstream consumer product," says Saeed Arash Far, Patriot's Engineering Manager. "Much like the home computer or VCRs revolutionized the 1980's and 1990's, home networks are continuing to grow and expand. The typical home has multiple systems and users, Corza allows you to connect all those computers to one network. No longer will you have to use portable devices; such as, USBs or SD cards to transfer data from computer to computer. Store it all on your home network and access it from any computer on the internet."

Microsoft announced the Zune HD today. The device is meant to compete with Apple

Intel is on a marketing spree today as they held a press conference in which the company spoke about its next-generation server processor, currently code-named Nehalem-EX. As its name suggests, the Nehalem-EX is based on the Nehalem microarchitecture which debuted with Xeon 5500 and Core i7 series processors.

The Nehalem-EX series however, will be decidedly more high-end in terms of specifications and performance. Whereas current Xeon 5500 series processors feature four execution cores per CPU with support for up to eight threads through Intel

As the success of presenting the leading XPG Xtreme series DDR3-2133X v2.0 DRAM module in the industry at CeBIT 2009, A-DATA presenting its XPG Plus Series v2.0 and Gaming Series v2.0 DRAM module with superior thermal conductive technology and characteristics heat sink design at Computex 2009.

Adopting new dual cooper heat pipe design, the XPG Plus Series v2.0 DRAM module offers offload heat with extreme efficiency to ensure superior stability and performance. Each memory chip is direct contact with a thermo-conductive copper heat pipe to perform heat away from the memory components, and dissipates it through the aluminum fin array. The XPG Gaming Series v2.0 DRAM module adopts additional surface area of heat sink to provide effective heat dissipation via effective heat sink design.

Moreover, both XPG Plus Series v2.0 and XPG Gaming Series v2.0 DRAM module come with doubling amount of copper of PCB (printed circuit board) to delivering low temperature and better power efficiency from critical areas of the DRAM module [via tpu].

We have a new NPD chart for you, with the best sellling PC games in the USA for the week ending May 16th.

NPD's Top Ten (5/10 - 5/16)
1. World Of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King / Blizzard / $39
2. The Sims 2 Double Deluxe / EA Maxis / $20
3. Empire: Total War / Creative Assembly / $33
4. World Of Warcraft Battle Chest / Blizzard / $35
5. Left 4 Dead / Valve / $29
6. Spore / EA Maxis / $40
7. World Of Warcraft / Blizzard / $20
8. Fallout Trilogy (Fallout, Fallout 2, Fallout Tactics) / Interplay / $20
9. Fallout 3 / Bethesda / $42
10. The Sims 2 Apartment Life Exp. Pack / EA Maxis / $20

Direct2Drive's Top Ten (5/10 - 5/16)
1. Mount & Blade / TaleWorlds
2. Sacred 2: Fallen Angel / cdv Software Entertainment USA
3. Battlestations: Pacific - Eidos Interactive
4. Civilization IV: The Complete Edition / Firaxis Games
5. Civilization IV / Firaxis Games
6. The Sims 2 Double Deluxe - Electronic Arts
7. Mass Effect / BioWare
8. Neverwinter Nights 2: Mysteries of Westgate / Ossian Studios
9. Fallout 3 / Bethesda
10. Elven Legacy / Paradox Interactive

Ahw ! I am looking so much forward to this game. Anyways, Reuters reports that Mafia II is delayed until the first half of 2K Games' 2010 fiscal year, which concludes April 30, 2010, and console western shooter Red Dead Redemption is delayed until that point as well.

The company said it will delay "Red Dead Redemption" and "Mafia II" from the fourth quarter into the first half of fiscal 2010, and will continue to look a various ways to cut costs.

In this article we'll show you a new chassis designed and fabricated by the guys over at Smooth Creations.

Smooth Creations is a company that is always raising the bar and pushing forward to the next level, custom made PCs that are totally pimped up. Be prepared to be amazed. The intricate details and sheer amount of shock and awe is big in this one.

Oh and the fun part is also .. we're giving it away.

Click here to read the article.

Guru3D.com is ten years of age, this is contest two in a week full of history and competitions.

The second competition is our traditional logo hunt. We have hidden a picture somewhere in one out of fifteen articles. Find it, submit the correct answer and you might be able to pick up one of the many prize packages.

And since this is a decade of Guru3D competition .. the prizes absolutely do not suck.

• Custom Far Cry 2 / Guru3D theme spray painted Smooth Creations CoolerMaster chassis worth 800 USD, one of a kind and totally unique.
• HIS Radeon HD 4890 TURBO X , this card has not even been announced yet!
• Point of View GeForce GTX 275 EXO editon !
• Zalman GS1000SE chassis
• Zalman CNPS9900 CPU cooler
• HIS Radeon 4850 TURBO X
• Corsair TX650W PSU
• HIS Multi-view
• HIS VT Book

Click here to read the details fro this competition. Not entering would be silly !

So, the long waiting is finally over. Microsoft released the standalone installer for the Service Pack 2 for Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista for the following languages, today: English, French, German, Japanese, or Spanish.

The new service pack delivers many anticipated features, along with numerous tweaks and bug fixes which should strengthen the Vista experience. Among the hottest additions in the new pack is the ability to record in Blu-Ray format for the first time in Windows. Other key additions include Bluetooth v2.1 connectivity, Windows Connect Now (WCN) Wi-Fi Configuration wireless functionality, faster Wi-Fi resume times after hibernation, Windows Search 4.0, and the ability to configure the maximum number of TCP connections.

"SP2 is an update to Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista that incorporates improvements discovered through automated feedback, as well as updates that have been delivered since SP1. By providing these fixes integrated into a single service pack for both client and server, Microsoft provides a single high-quality update that minimizes deployment and testing complexity for customers.

Service Pack 1 is a prerequisite for installing Service Pack 2. Please make sure that your system is running Service Pack 1 before you install Service Pack 2."

You can download the Service Pack 2 for Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista here:

• Five Language Standalone Installer for x64-based Systems (64-bit): external download link
• Five Language Standalone Installer for x86-based Systems (32-bit): external download link

One of Guru3D's favourite hardware diagnostic tools, Everest, has been upgraded to version 5.00

Everest offers accurate hardware information and diagnostics capabilities, including online features, memory benchmarks, hardware monitoring, and low-level hardware information. EVEREST Home Edition is optimized for Microsoft Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 operating systems, and it fully supports the Vista / XP look & feel.

Changes in Everest version 5.02:

• Temperature, voltage, fan speed, current and power consumption monitoring for the Gigabyte Odin GT series power supply units.
• nVIDIA SLI information under Windows Vista and Windows 7.
• Full support for Logitech G19 keyboard with QVGA color LCD (Ultimate Edition only).
• GPU information for nVIDIA GeForce 9600 GT Green Edition, GeForce G 103M and GeForce GTX 275 video chips.
• CPU clock measurement and benchmarks for Intel Core i7 "Bloomfield" and Xeon "Nehalem-EP" processors under Windows 7.
• Logical drive free space monitoring and alerting (Corporate Edition only).
• Temperature measurement for Fujitsu hard disk drives.
• Anti-virus software details for AntiVir Personal, AntiVir Premium, PC Tools AntiVirus and PC Tools Internet Security.
• Improved temperature monitoring on Apple iMac, MacBook and Mac Pro systems.

Download: click here.

The AMD OverDrive application was designed to be a utility the provides the ability to maximize the capability, flexibility, and adjustability of the AMD chipset products. It allows user to tune parameters to ensure system stability, optimize performance, and control cooling/acoustic characteristics.

Download: click here

Intel once again has delayed the introduction of Core i5, the new mainstream desktop PC platform, Lynnfield processors (tentatively Core i5) and 5-series chipsets, from July as originally scheduled, to early September 2009, according to sources at motherboard makers.

However, Core i5 processors will be available early for retail sale in late August, while P55-based motherboards will appear even sooner in mid-August, the sources noted.

Due to the global economic downturn driving down market demand, Intel expects the launch will allow more time for 4-series inventory to deplete.

Intel plans to launch three Core i5 CPUs with frequencies of 2.93GHz, 2.8GHz and 2.66GHz and priced at US$562, US$284 and US$196 in thousand-unit tray quantities. All of them will feature a TDP of 95W. The P55 chipset will be priced at US$40.

The entry-level Havendale processor is scheduled to launch in January next year, while P57, H57 and H55 chipsets will launch in the first quarter next year.

King of cheap LCD monitors Ilyama launched their ProLite E2407HDSV LCD Monitor. It features 16:9 High Definition 1920 x 1080 native resolution, complimented with a 2 msec response rate and a 30,000:1 Advance Contrast Ratio. The E2407HDSV is targeted at gamers and those using multimedia applications.

The ProLite E2407HDSV features 'true' 16:9 High Definition 1920 x 1080 native resolution. Complimented with a blistering 2msec response rate and a 30,000:1 Advance Contrast Ratio. The E2407HDSV guarantees great performance for Gamers and Multimedia Applications. Finished in a stylish Piano Black design, the E2407HDSV is sure to stand out amongst the crowd!

The new LCD also has two 3W speakers, D-Sub, DVI and HDMI connectors, and is backed by a 3-year warranty. The recommended price tag for the ProLite E2407HDS / E2407HDS-B is around $313.

GIGABYTE announces the luxury leather wireless mouse made with Swarovski elements. It goes without saying that this fine works enables you to demonstrate your unique stylish and taste.

GM-M7800S is another GIGABYTE commitment to bring fashion, style and exquisiteness to PC life. It

It'asa a little late to the market, but if priced eright, this card might be very interesting. Gigabyte today unleashes a new GeForce GTX 260. It has a custom PCB, comes with their Ultra Durable VGA technology, os pre-overclocked at 650 MHz and comes with native gold palated HDMO connector. Oh and it's the SP216 version too.Unfortunately I have no info just yet on the shader clock, but the memory runs at 2000 MHz.

Ten years Guru3D.com is not only a celebration, it's also a lot of history. In part one we told you about technology, hosting and kinds of things we encountered over the years. In the second article I would like to take you back on a trip in memory lane.

We'll check out roughly 30 random graphics cards starting at the 1997 era and move our way up towards 2009, showing lot's and lot's graphics cards from the past, almost all photo's have been re-photographed with modern equipment, so even the Voodoo Graphics card we start with .. looks shiny and new ;)

Check out the full article here.

Cooler Master has been updating their product lineup extensively lately; everything from their elite cases like the HAF series towards all sorts of coolers.

Today another new cooler sees the light, Well new ... it's actually the Hyper 212 cooler we reviewed a long time ago that is being updated, overhauled one could say. The updated Hyper 212 is now called the Hyper 212 Plus and it will be Cooler Master

As you guys know Intel will be releasing Core i5 processors somewhere in the future, based on the 45nm Lynnfield architecture. These processors will have four cores.

Initially there will be three models released at launch, all are quad-core processors and based on the Lynnfield core, using 45nm fabrication process.

Some key features:

• Four x86 processing cores with support for HyperThreading technology
• Dual-channel DDR3 memory controller specified to run DDR3-1066 and DDR3-1333 modules
• 8 MB of L3 cache, and support for TurboBoost technology.

The three processors will have clock frequencies of 2.66 GHz, 2.80 GHz, and 2.93 GHz and priced respectively $196, $284, and $562 USD, which does seem rather expensive judging from the performance you can see below.

Benchmarks through an Asian site (xfastest) have leaked now showing the 2.66GHz model clocked processor.Not only pictures of a Core i5 processor and one of Intel's reference motherboard has been posted, but also some quickly managed benchmarks.

The processor operates at 2.66GHz and among the benchmarks we find some pure processor tests in the form of Cinebench 10 and Everest, where we can do a quick comparison with some of our own tests with AMD's and Intel's latest processors.

What is surprising is that Core i5 doesn't seem to be able to keep up with Intel's Core i7 920 processor operating at the same clock frequency. The processor however it is pretty much on par with AMD's flagship Phenom II X4 955. Yet the Core i5 2.66 Ghz model would cost 284 USD at start while you can purchase Phenom II X4 for $245.00 (see here) already.

This is going to be an interesting launch alright.