We review the Corsair Obsidian 650D. Yes, they stripped away the removable front drive bays, made the chassis smaller and boom, the Obsidian 650D was born. A chassis that is just as impressive as its bigger brother the 800D really. Plenty of space, all graphics cards to date fit in there (length wise), many drive bays, fan controller, USB 3.0 frontpanel support, easy to clean dust filters and a solution that is once again pretty much tool free and comes in that scrumptious all black design.

The TC Mag reports the codenames of some of AMD's upcoming GPUs were leaked in the changelog of the latest HWiNFO32 release.

A new update to HWiNFO32 free system information tool shows the codenames of AMD's next GPUs (part of the Southern Islands).

Changes in HWiNFO32 v3.73 - Released on: Apr-18-2011:

• Added possibility to change font size for LG LCD output.
• Enhanced sensor monitoring on ASUS Sabertooth P67.
• Added AMD Llano family branding.
• Enhanced support of Panther Point chipset.
• Added support of ITE IT8771 LPC/hardware monitor.
• Enhanced sensor monitoring on ASUS E35M1-M and E35M1-I.
• Updated reporting of current memory clock on Arrandale/Clarkdale and Sandy Bridge.
• Added AMD RADEON HD 6790.
• Added support of AMD future GPUs: TAHITI, NEW ZEALAND, THAMES, LOMBOK.
• Layout/font change.
• Added reporting of GPU Clocks in Sensors.
• Fixed sensor logging CSV format.
• Fixed Apple SMC sensor values.
• Added monitoring support of uPI UP6218 and UP6266 VRs on GPU.
• Added monitoring support of CHiL CHL8214 on GPU.
• Fixed reporting of current GPU PCIe config on some machines.
• Added monitoring support of Volterra VT1556 on GPU.
• Added nVidia GeForce GT 520 (GF119).

So according to HWiNFO32 v3.73's changelog, the (likely 28nm) GPUs in question are named Tahiti, New Zealand, Thames (?) and Lombok. Unfortunately that's about it on the Southern Islands topic.

The bro's over at TPU report that Zotac is m,aking a special GeForce GTX 580 with 18-phase VRM capable of handling a whopping 500W load. The card is equipped with two 8-pin PCIe connectors and uses an oversized PCB with a top portion that protudes above the full-height limit. Pricing and availability is unknown.

To cool the card there are two heatsinks, first is the component heatsink that is spread across the length of the card, cooling VRM and memory; and the primary heatsink, which is a massive aluminum fin array to which heat is fed by six 6 mm thick heat pipes. The heatsink is ventilated by two 120 mm fans. The card is overclocked out of the box, with the core running at 850 MHz, 1700 MHz CUDA cores, and 1100 MHz (4.40 GHz effective) memory. Display connectivity includes two DVI and one each of HDMI and DisplayPort. You can use two connectors at a time.

Treyarch has released a new patch for the PC version of its highly popular FPS, Call of Duty: Black Ops. The patch notes show that various exploits that have been found in the game have been fixed in this new patch along with some more stability improvements. The patch will be applied automatically when your Steam client is restarted.

Changes include:

- Radar now always activates when two players remain in a OIC wager match.
- Pack-a-Punch ammo information now visible at wall weapon purchase points in all Zombie maps.
- Addressed an issue where Challenges were not appearing in After Action Report.
- Zombie Thief no longer freezes when target disconnects from Zombie Pentagon.
- Addressed various exploits.
- Fixed possible wrong gametype shown in server info screen.
- Server browser Hide DLC Content filter saves to player config like other filter settings.
- Call vote menu updated with all maps.
- Addressed issue causing reserved slot kicks on servers with no reserved slots.
- Sniper tweaks for dedicated servers.
- Weapon unlocks no longer appear with wrong icon.
- Friendly names now draw correctly in 3D stereo.
- Fixed some possible crashes during gameplay or film playback.
- Additional stability improvements

Grab it here

Hmm, no thanks ? Scythe makes the headlines again, this time with the Susanoo a massive CPU cooler that weighs 1,565g and measures 210mm x 210mm x 160mm. The cooler has a nickel-plated copper base and features twelve 6mm heatpipes that dissipate the heat to a wide aluminium fin array. Airflow is provided by four 100mm Slip Stream fans, which provide 50.05 to 200.21CFM of airflow at a noise level of 9.42dBA to 37.69dBA.

Susanoo is compatible with Intel LGA775/1155/1156/1366 and AMD Socket AM2/AM2+/AM3 processors. It will be available in retail stores for 89.90EUR (incl. 19% VAT).
The Susanoo Scythe CPU cooler consists from the total of twelve 6mm heat pipes and features a two segment heat sink configuration by the name of DBS (Double Block Structure), resulting the Susanoo to this massive top-flow cooler form. Thanks to the large cooling area, the surrounding components such as MOSFETs, Northbridge, RAM and graphics card can be cooled simultaneously.The Scythe with Susanoo CPU Cooler is equipped with FMSB3 (Flip Mount Super Back-Plate 3) to ensure secure mounting on to the motherboard.

D.B.S (Double Block Structure)
By splitting the heatsink fin and heatpipe structure into 2 layers, 6 heatpipes at the bottom part + main heatsink fins to absorb the heat as a primarily stage, then the upper 6 heatpipes and sub heatsink fins to absorb the rest of the heat to create the ultimate cooling solution. Total 12 heatpipes are used in this super ultra-sized dimension heatsink, challenging the limit of the top-flow heatsink performance in the market!

W.A.M.S (Wide Area Multi Fan System)
All components around the CPU socket, including MOSFET, Northbridge, VGA, as well as RAM, this super ultra-sized heatsink can cool the entire devices in your PC! By using the build-in fan controller, this cooler can meet the demand from silent to high-performance users!

F.M.S.B.3 (Flip Mount Super Back-Plate 3)
Improved Scythe original back-plate names F.M.S.B.3 (Flip Mount Super Back-plate 3), the compatibility has been maximized as well as achieving the solid mounting of the cooler onto the motherboard.

Click on the thumbnails ..

Zalman are pleased to announce another member of V-Shape design family, Zalman CNPS7X LED. The efficient V-shaped dual Heatsinks with Zalman

We review the G1.Sniper motherboard from Gigabytes Killer series. With good looks, excellent performance, great overclockability and then in addition to it all extra's, adding a SATA 6G controller, USB 3.0, but also the BigFoot KillerNIC has been integrated into this motherboard, and Realtek audio ? Heck it's been kicked out.

 There's actually a fully fetched Creative Labs X-Fi (20K2) DSP mounted into the motherboard to bring better audio capability into your PC. All in all it's a very impressive motherboard not only features wise, yet also in terms of sheer design.

Check out the full review here.

Toshiba announced that it has fabricated NAND flash memories with 19 nm process technology, the finest level yet achieved. This latest technology advance has already been applied to 2-bit-per-cell 64-gigabit (Gb) chips that are the world's smallest and offer the highest density on a single chip (8 gigabytes (GB)). Toshiba will also add 3-bit-per-cell products fabricated with the 19nm process technology to its product line-up.

Samples of 2-bit-per-cell 64-gigabit will be available from the end of this month with mass production scheduled for the third quarter of the year (July to September 2011). Toshiba leads the industry in fabricating high density, small die size NAND flash memory chips. Application of the 19nm generation process technology will further shrink chip size, allowing Toshiba to assemble sixteen 64Gbit NAND flash memory chips in one package and to deliver 128GB devices for application in smartphones and tablet PCs. The 19nm process products are also equipped with Toggle DDR2.0, which enhances data transfer speed.

As the market for mobile equipment, such as smartphones, tablet PCs, and SSDs (solid state drives) expands, demand for smaller, higher density memory products grows. By accelerating process migration in NAND flash memory, Toshiba aims to reinforce and extend its leadership in the NAND flash memory market.

Razer announced its Hydra motion sensing controllers, available standalone or bundled with Valve's new Portal 2. The controller will start shipping in June 2011, the Portal 2 bundle will cost 139.99EUR.  Razer, the world

Shuttle introduced the SG41J4, a new XPC Mini PC series barebone for Intel's Core 2 processors. The barebone retails for 146EUR (excl. VAT) and users can easily modify the front by printing photos, logos or information. Well, let's hope that not the primary feature -- a piece of plexi-glass.

Shuttle Computer Handels GmbH, the European subsidiary of Shuttle Inc., one of the leading developers and manufacturers of compact PC solutions such as the world-renowned XPC Mini-PC Barebones, has announced delivery of the new SG41J4.

"The front panel of this model can easily be modified by the owner, allowing customisation using photos, logos or information," according to Tom Seiffert, Head of Marketing & PR at Shuttle Computer Handels GmbH. "The creative opportunities are boundless."

The SG41J4 is suitable for Intel Core 2 processors with 1333 MHz FSB and uses the proven Intel G41 Express chipset. Its two memory banks can take DDR3 modules with a total capacity of 8 GB (2x 4 GB). The compact case is able to accommodate an optical 5.25" drive and up to two 3.5" drives. A PCIe-x16 slot can be fitted with dual-slot graphics cards. Alternatively, a PCI slot (32 bit) is available for other expansion cards. If the PCIe-x16 slot is not used, the SG41J4 can operate with the GMA X4500 graphics integrated in the chipset. A digital DVI-D output and an analog VGA output are able to manage up to two monitors.

Furthermore, the SG41J4 sports an array of connectors such as 2x USB at the front as well as 6x USB 2.0, 5.1 audio, PS/2 and Gigabit network ports at the rear. In addition, a serial and a parallel interface can be added with the optional J-RS232 accessory unit.

The 32.5 x 21.5 x 19 cm (DWH) ultra-compact XPC Barebone SG41J4 can be cooled with Intel Boxed CPU coolers or with the optionally available PM65 heatpipe. Its new 250 W power supply unit now has a larger fan which easily copes with more powerful hardware.

It's of course very typical from Microsoft to "point out" security flaws from Google's Chrome, anything to trash the competition right ? None the less, these are flaws that need some TLC from Google.

NetworkWorld reports Microsoft discovered two minor security vulnerabilities in Google's Chrome browser:
There's nothing stopping Microsoft researchers from poking through Google software and finding bugs of their own. And that's just what they're doing now, announcing a new vulnerability disclosure policy for non-Microsoft products, and kicking off the program today with two security reports covering products made by none other than Google.

Both security reports affect the Chrome browser. Google likes to brag that its sandboxing method keeps users safer than they would otherwise be in Internet Explorer. But no browser is bullet-proof and Microsoft wants Web surfers to know that Chrome has problems of its own.