Mengenal Arti Bunyi Beep pada komputer

Mengenal Bunyi Beep Pada PC
Bila PC Anda tidak lagi bereaksi setelah dihidupkan selain mengeluarkan bunyi beep—ia sebenarnya ingin menunjukkan pesan kesalahan. Bagaimana menginterpretasikan sinyal-sinyal terpenting dari BIOS tersebut??? Kita kelompokkan bunyi beep tadi berdasarkan tipe bios yang dipakainya, Di bawah ini ada beberapa kode “BEEP” dari beberapa merk BIOS :

1. AMIBIOS
American Megatrends Inc merupakan salah satu pembuat software BIOS teratas di dunia. BIOS dari AMIBIOS hanya akan berbunyi jika ada masalah:

* 1 s/d 3 beep, berkaitan dengan memory yang perlu dipasang ulang atau dicoba dengan memory yang lain.
* 4 beep, berkaitan erat dengan motherboard. Coba dipasang ulang semua card tambahan (sound card, modem, tv tuner, dll. kecuali VIDEO CARD.)
* 5 beep, berkaitan erat dengan processor atau card tambahan. Coba dipasang ulang semua card tambahan, kalau bunyi beep masih juga ada baru telusuri processornya.
* 6 beep, berkaitan dengan motherboard. Coba dipasang ulang semua card tambahan yang ada, dengan melepas satu persatu dan dipasang kembali. Jika bunyi beep masih ada juga, kemungkinanya kamu kudu siap-siap merogoh kantong celana buat beli mainboard yang baru.
* 7 beep, Ini adalah bunyi yang berkaitan dengan error secara umum. telusuri satu persatu mulai dari card tambahan, processor, baru kemudian motherboard.
* 8 beep, berkaitan dengan Video Card. Coba dipasang ulang atau dicoba dengan video card yang lain.
* 9 beep, berhubungan dengan AMIBIOS ROM checksum error. Coba lakukan seperti bunyi 7 beep.
* 10 beep, berkaitan dengan CMOS read/write error. Solusinya seperti bunyi 7 beep.
* 11 beep, berhubungan dengan kegagalan cache memory. Solusinya sama seperti bunyi 7 beep.
* 1 beep panjang, 2 beep pendek, berkaitan dengan kegagalan system video card. Solusinya sama seperti bunyi 8 beep.

Masih banyak bunyi beep yang lain lagi dari merk AMIBIOS ini, ini hanya sebagian kecil saja.

2. AWARDBIOS
Awalnya AWARDBIOS adalah sebuah merk BIOS yang dimiliki oleh sebuah perusahaan bernama Award, tapi kini Award telah diambil alih oleh Phoenix Technologies.
Berbeda dengan AMIBIOS, jika kamu mendengar bunyi beep 1 kali pendek itu artinya sistem dalam keadaan baik-baik saja.

* 1 panjang, 2 pendek: gangguan pada video card. Coba pasang ulang atau ganti dengan video card lain.
* 1 panjang, 3 pendek: video card tidak terdeteksi atau memory video cardnya error.
* 1 beep panjang bernada tinggi atau beep pendek yang berulang-ulang: Masalah pada processor, bisa jadi juga processor kepanasan, pemasangan tidak benar atau bahkan rusak.
* Beep lain selain yang sudah disebutkan di atas: ada error di memory.

3. Phoenix-BIOS
1x-1x-4x: BIOS rusak.
1x-2x-1x: Motherboard rusak.
1x-3x-1x: Masalah RAM, modul tidak terpasang dengan baik.
3x-1x-1x: Motherboard rusak.
3x-3x-4x: Graphic card rusak atau tidak terpasang dengan baik.

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Perbedaan Jenis Harddisk IDE, Ata, Sata, Dan SSD

Hardisk adalah salah satu komponen terpenting di komputer, untuk itu anda harus dapat mengenal tipe hardisk yang sesuai dengan kondisi komputer anda.

Secara Garis besar HD dapat kita golongkan menjadi 3 Macam Yaitu IDE, ATA, dan SATA, Lalu apa sih perbedaan dari ketiga tipe HD Di atas??? berikut akan saya jelaskan satu persatu mengenai tipe hardisk

1. IDE

IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics) merupakan standar interface antara bus data motherboard komputer dengan disk storage. IDE interface di buat berdasarkan IBM PC Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) 16-bit bus. Interface dari IDE adalah interface untuk storage devices yang dapat teringrasi untuk disk atau CD-ROM drive. Walaupun IDE merupakan teknologi yang umum, kebanyakan orang menggunakan istilah IDE untuk merujuk pada spesifikasi ATA. Sedangkan AHCI (Advance Host Controller Interface) merupakan mekanisme hardware yang membolehkan software untuk berkomunikasi dengan SATA seperti host bus adapter yang didesain untuk hot-plugin dan native command queuing(NCQ) yang dapat menaikan kemampuan komputer/sistem/hard disk terutama dalam lingkungan multi tasking dengan cara membolehkan drive untuk menjalankan perintah baca tulis yang dikirim secara acak dengan tujuan untuk optimalisasi perpindahan head pada proses pembacaan. AHCI telah di dukung oleh berbagai sistem operasi seperti Windows Vista dan Linux kernel 2.6.19.

2. ATA

Kebanyakan type drive yang digunakan oleh para pengguna komputer adalah tipe ATA (dikenal dengan IDE drive). Tipe ATA di buat berdasarkan standart tahun 1986 dengan menggunakan 16 bit paralel dan terus berkembang dengan penambahan kecepatan transfer dan ukuran sebuah disk. Standart terakhir adalah ATA-7 yang dikenalkan pertama kali pada tahun 2001 oleh komite T13(komite yang bertanggung jawab menentukan standart ATA). Tipe ATA-7 memiliki data transfer sebesar 133 MB/sec. kemudian selama tahun 2000 ditentukan standar untuk paralel ATA yang memiliki data rate sebesar 133 MB/sec, tapi paralel ATA terdapat banyak masalah hal singnal timin, EMI(electromognetic interference) dan intergitas data. Kemudian para industri berusaha menyelesaikan masalah yang di timbulkan oleh paralel ATA dan di buat standar baru yang di sebut Serial ATA (SATA)

ATA (Advanced Technology Attachment) menggunakan 16 bit paralel digunakan untuk mengontrol peralatan komputer, dan telah di pakai selama 18 tahun lebih sebagai standar. Perbedaan SATA dan ATA yang paling mudah adalah kabel data dan power yang berbeda.

Standar ATA, seperti 200GB Western Digital Model, mempunyai dua inch kabel ribbon dengan 40 pin koneksi data dan membutuhkan 5V untuk setiap pin dari 4 pin connection. Sedangkan SATA seperti 120 GB western Digital Model mempunyai lebar setengah inci, 7 connector data connection sehingga lebih tipis dan mudah untuk mengatur kebel datanya. Kabel data SATA mempunyai panjang maksimal 1 meter (39.37 inci) lebih panjang dari ATA yang hanya 18 inci.

3. SATA

SATA dengan 15 pin kabel power dengan 250 mV, tampaknya memerlukan daya lebih banyak di bandingkan dengan 4 pin ATA, tapi dalam kenyataanya sama saja. Dan kemampuan SATA yang paling bagus adalah tercapainya maximum bandwith yang mungkin yaitu sebesar 150 MB/sec

Keuntungan lainya dari SATA adalah SATA di buat dengan kemampuan hot-swap sehinga dapat mematikan dan menyalakan tanpa melakukan shut down pada sistem komputer.

Sedangkan dalam harga, drive SATA lebih mahal sedikit di bandingkan drive ATA , kesimpulanya SATA lebih memiliki keuntungan dibandingkan ATA dalam connector, tenaga, dan yang paling penting performanya. Sekarang standar ATA telah mulai di tinggalkan dan produsen memilih standart SATA.

Inspirated from Dukom

4. Hardisk SSD

Seperti yang kita ketahui bahwa Harddisk yang selama ini kita gunakan sebagai media penyimpanan masih mempunyai bagian mekanik didalamnya, sedangkan media SSD (Solid State Disk) sudah menggunakan teknologi seperti USB Drive atau memori komputer. Bila Anda perhatikan bahwa media seperti USB Drive ini tidak memiliki bagian yang bergerak.

Intel menggandeng pabrikan asal Taiwan yaitu Kingston untuk memasarkan SSD Intel sehingga kehadiran kedua nama tersebut menjadikan pasar SSD makin bertambah. Nama yang sudah tidak asing lagi di dunia SSD adalah Sandisk, Samsung, Imation, Toshiba dan bahkan Seagate pun akan merambah juga ke pasar SSD ini. Memang kedepannya media penyimpanan akan lebih mengarah ke SSD karena memiliki banyak keunggulan dibandingkan media penyimpanan saat ini seperti Harddisk.

Berikut ada beberapa keunggulan SSD dibandingkan dengan Harddisk mekanik, yaitu:

1. Konsumsi daya (power) SSD lebih sedikit bila dibandingkan HDD sehingga SSD lebih sesuai dipakai untuk piranti mobile. Artinya baterai dari piranti tersebut akan dapat bertahan lebih lama diantara waktu charging (pengisian baterai).

2. SSD memiliki umur data lebih panjang dan lebih tahan banting dibanding HDD. Dengan SSD maka pengguna terhindar dari kehilangan data karena misal adanya benturan ringan di notebooknya.

3. SSD memiliki read and write speed yang relative lebih tinggi daripada HDD. Hal ini berarti dengan SSD maka Anda tidak perlu menunggu lama saat booting komputer setelah tombol ON ditekan.

4. SSD memiliki bagian yang tidak bergerak sehingga mengakibatkan lebih tidak “brisik” dan lebih tidak sepanas HDD.

Memang diakui bahwa saat ini media penyimpanan SSD ini masih tergolong lebih mahal dan apalagi kapasitas maksimum SSD masih terbatas di pasaran.

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Tips Cara Merawat Printer Tetap Awet Tahan Lama

Apakah printer Tinta (Inkjet, Deskjet dan sejenisnya) anda kualitas cetaknya menurun, dan membuat anda frustasi? Hasil print bergaris-garis, atau lebih parah lagi tintanya tidak bisa keluar? Kondisi-kondisi ini sering kali terjadi karena kita kurang perhatian terhadap beberapa hal yang peka dalam penggunaan printer inkjet kita. Kelalaian dalam merawat printer inkjet kita dapat menyebabkankerusakan pada head printer secara temporary maupun secara permanen.

Berikut beberapa tips dan trick dalam merawat printer inkjet anda :

1. Selalu gunakan printer secara periodik (sesering mungkin minimal 2 kali seminggu), jangan biarkan printer anda menganggur terlalu lama, karena tinta yang terdapat pada nozzle head bisa mengering sehingga menyumbat pengeluaran tinta.

2. Gunakan fasilitas Clean Head (Software yang disertakan bersama Printer) untuk melakukan pembersihan Nozle Head secara teratur (periodik).

3. Bersihkan beberapa bagian printer secara berkala dari debu dan kotoran, jangan biarkan ada benda-benda asing masuk atau terjatuh kedalam printer anda. Jangan menggunakan lap yang basah oleh air saat membersihkan printer.

4. Jangan mencabut kabel printer langsung untuk mematikan printer, tetapi gunakan tombol on/off sehingga saat dimatikan, head printer akan kembali ke kedudukannya sehingga tinta tidak mudah mengering.

5. Saat mencetak pastikan kertasnya tidak berlipat-lipat melainkan gunakan kertas yang masih halus, sebab jika tersangkut dapat merusak roller pada printer.

6. Jangan menyentuh bagian elektrik dari cartridge seperti chip maupun head dengan menggunakan jari anda, karena listrik statis pada tubuh terkadang dapat merusak komponen, apabila terpaksa membersikan gunakan kertas tissue dengan kualitas baik, karena kertas tissue dengan kualitas jelek justru akan meninggalkan partikel kertas dan berpotensi menyumbat noozle head.

7. Jika menggunakan tinta refill pastikan menggunakan refill kualitas baik, jangan mengisi cartridge terlalu penuh karena dapat menyebabkan terjadinya kebocoran pada cartrdige dan dapat merembet pada motherboard printer.

8. Jangan membiarkan printer anda kosong tanpa cartridge dalam jangka waktu yang lama, sebab dapat menyebabkan print head menjadi kering.

9. Perhatikan wastepad (buangan tinta) printer anda, ganti wastepad atau gunakan pembuangan luar sehingga tinta tidak akan meleber di dalam printer.

10. Jangan pernah membuka cassing printer, karena komponen printer hanya bisa di service oleh orang yang benar-benar ahli.

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Cara mengembalikan data hilang di komputer dengan software "Ontrack Eazy Recovery"

Apakah Anda pernah secara tidak sengaja menghapus file Anda, kemudian sudah meng- empty recycle bin? Atau Anda telah mem-format hardisk tapi ingin data Anda kembali? Atau data hilang / rusak karena virus? Atau karena komputer mati atau restart tiba-tiba? Ada cara untuk mengembalikan data yang hilang, yaitu dengan satu software yang sangat lengkap, yaitu Ontrack EasyRecovery Professional. Inilah cara-cara mengembalikan data Anda yang hilang.

Pertama Anda harus download dulu software tersebut, silakan klik di URL ini: http://www.softpedia.com/progDownload/EasyRecovery-Professional-Standard-Edition-Download-58797.html untuk download software Ontrack Easy Recovery Professional (Atau cari yang terbaru di Google)

Jika data Anda yang hilang di drive C:, sebaiknya install di komputer atau sistem operasi lain. Jika data yang hilang di drive selain C:, Anda bisa menginstall software ini di mana saja di komputer yang sama, asalkan tidak berada salam satu drive dengan data yang hilang tadi.

Software ini menyediakan sebuah solusi yang sangat komplit sehubungan dengan data yang hilang atau urusan recovery data yang hilang karena :

1. Virus.

2. Sektor yang tidak terbaca

3. Kesalahan aplikasi, system, atau shut down yang tidak normal.

4. Kerusakan pada critical area.

5. Ter-format

6. Penyebab lain yang memungkinkan hilangnya data.

Software ini di-install pada Windows 98 SE, Me, 2000, or XP, dan dapat me-recover data untuk pada semua sistem windows. Software ini memiliki empat feature utama, yaitu:

1. Disk Diagnostics, yaitu tool untuk mengecek kondisi hardisk Anda apakah masih bagus atau tidak.

2. Data Recovery, yaitu tool untuk mengembalikan data / file karena terhapus, terformat, dan sebagainya.

3. Email Repair, yaitu tool untuk mengembalikan data email Outlook Express yang terhapus atau rusak.

4. File Repair, yaitu tool untuk memperbaiki data / file Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, dan ZIP (winzip) file yang rusak karena virus atau sebab lain.

Mari kita lihat satu per satu fasilitas yang ada dalam software ini.

1. Disk Diagnostics

Tool yang ada dalam Disk Diagnostics ini adalah:

* Data Advisor, untuk membuat disket recovery.

* Drive Tests, untuk mengetes kondisi fisik dari hardisk (disk drive).

* Jumper Viewer, untuk melihat posisi jumper pada hardisk.

* Partition Tests, untuk mengecek kondisi partisi hardisk.

* Size Manager, untuk melihat kapasitas hardisk

* SMART Tests, digunakan untuk mengetes kondisi Self-Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Technology pada suatu hardisk.

2. Data Recovery

Tool-tool yang ada dalam Data Recovery ini adalah:

* Advanced Recovery, untuk mencari data yang sudah tidak dapat di-recover dengan tool lain, yaitu karena ter-format, ter-partisi, virus, atau hal lain.

* Deleted Recovery, untuk mencari data yang sudah dihapus. Ini adalah tool yang paling sering dipakai penulis.

* Format Recovery, untuk mencari data pada hard disk yang sudah di-format.

* Raw Recovery, untuk mencari file yang hilang berdasarkan signature.

* Resume Recovery, semua proses recovery dapat dihentikan sementara dan dilanjutkan pada lain waktu.

* Emergency Media, untuk membuat disket atau CD yang digunakan untuk me-recover data / file hilang.

3. Email Repair, digunakan untuk mengembalikan data email Outlook dan Outlook Express yang hilang.

4. File Repair, digunakan untuk mengembalikan file-file Microsoft Office dan ZIP yang rusak. Tool ini dapat memperbaiki file Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, dan ZIP (winzip) file yang corrupt / rusak karena virus atau sebab lain.

Data atau file yang hilang lebih sulit di-recover jika:

1. Anda menambahkan file baru setelah Anda menghapus atau memformat hardisk.

2. Anda menggunakan FAT32 dalam Windows XP.

Demikian cara mengembalikan data yang hilang dengan software Easy Recovery Professional. Semoga data Anda bisa diselamatkan.

Semoga Bermanfaat

Sumber : http://yoyoxcomputer.wordpress.com/

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Mengatasi Komputer "Lemot"

Komputer yang umurnya sudah agak lama pasti akan mengalami penurunan kinerja, dan pastinya kita akan bosen menunggu booting yang lelet pada komputer kita, banyak orang menganggap hal ini dikarenakan "komputernya Kuno" dan lain-lain, padahal ada banyak cara untuk mempercepat booting.

Dan sedikit cara di bawah ini adalah yang saya lakukan :

1. Buka aplikasi notepad

2. ketikkan “ del c:\windows\prefetch\ntosboot-*.*/q ” (tanpa tanda petik, save as dalam localdisk c:\ dengan nama “ntosboot.bat “

3. Start - pilih menu Run – ketikkan gpedit.msc – klik ok

4. Klik “ computer configuration “ lalu klik windows setting dan klik 2x pada “ shutdown “

5. Dalam windows properties klik “ add “, “ browse “, lalu tentukan dimana letak file “ ntosboot.bat “ tadi disimpan - klik “ open “ – ok – apply – ok

6. Start – Run – ketikkan “ devmgmt.msc “ – ok

7. Klik 2x pada “ IDE ATA/ATAPI controller “

8. Klik 2x pada “ primary IDE channel “ untuk membuka properties

9. Pilih tab “ Advanced Setting “ lalu pada device o atau device 1 dimana “ device type “ tidak dalam keadaan mati pilihlah “ none “ – ok

10. Klik kanan pada “ Secondary IDE channel “ – pilih properties dan ulangi step 8 – restart computer.

Untuk langkah ke 5-9 bisa juga dilakukan seperti ini untuk mempersingkat waktu :

1. [dari Start MENU --> MY COMPUTER klik kanan --> properties --> hardware --> device manager ] maka akan ketemu dengan "IDE ATA/ATAPI controller" pilih :

* "primary IDE channel" terus klik kanan maka akan terlihat Trouble shooting, nah kita klik "Advance setting" lalu pada device o atau device 1 dimana “ device type “ tidak dalam keadaan mati pilihlah “ none “ – ok,

* "Secondary IDE channel" terus klik kanan maka akan terlihat Trouble shooting, kita klik "Advance setting" lalu pada device o atau device 1 dimana “ device type “ tidak dalam keadaan mati pilihlah “ none “ – ok,

4. Restart Computer

Ada tambahan lagi, coba deh pas kita buka komputer klik kanan pada start MENU --> Explore [widows logo+E] terus menju pilih "local Disk : C" klik Windows, dan di sana cari "prefetch", kemudian hapus seluruh folder yang ada di prefetch , Restart Computer

Kalo udah hapus semua folder yang ada di prefetch, bisa kunci Local Disk : C dengan DeepFreeze

Semoga Bermanfaat

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5 Antivirus Kecil Terbaik Yang Harus Ada di Flashdisk

USB Flash Drives memainkan peran terbesar dalam transfer virus dari satu komputer ke komputer lain. Virus autorun.inf yang terkenal adalah salah satu yang biasanya ditemukan di dalam flash drive yang dieksekusi segera setelah itu terlampir dan membuka. Virus jenis ini tidak berbahaya tetapi menjengkelkan karena salinan dirinya ke semua drive permanen sistem.

Bahkan setelah pengamanan ketat melalui Antivirus Software ini virus kecil yang bagus berhasil memasukkan sebagian besar waktu tanpa terdeteksi. Tapi ada solusi untuk ini – aplikasi khusus untuk memonitor dan menghentikan virus flash drive ini secara real time.

Daftar di bawah adalah 5 terbaik dari aplikasi antivirus kecil yang khusus dikembangkan untuk menghentikan semua jenis worm USB. Semua ini adalah ringan, otomatis dan dapat dijalankan secara paralel dengan antivirus standar dan penuh dan tidak memperlambat komputer Anda sama sekali.

1. Naevius USB Antivirus 2.1

Yang sangat populer dan antivirus kecil. Naevius USB Antivirus adalah alat yang melindungi semua pen drive Anda dari autorun-virus. Membutuhkan ruang yang sangat kecil di memori dan scan drive secara real time.

2. TrustPort U3 Antivirus 2010 5.0

Antivirus U3 TrustPort dirancang khusus untuk perlindungan U3 smart drive. Ketika diinstal pada drive U3 smart, itu terus memonitor file yang sedang disalin ke drive, sehingga tidak ada kode berbahaya dapat disimpan di atasnya. Mengakses perlindungan lebih lanjut dilengkapi dengan on-demand scanning.

Pengguna dapat memindai file, folder atau drive pada komputer host. Jika file terinfeksi yang ditemukan, maka akan ditangani sesuai dengan pengaturan pengguna. Hal ini dapat diganti namanya, dipindahkan ke karantina atau dihapus. Untuk memastikan tingkat keamanan tertinggi, perangkat lunak udergoes update reguler dari internet.

3. USB Flashdrive Autorun Antivirus 1.0

USB Flash Drive secara otomatis mendeteksi Autorun Antivirus, menutup dan menghapus virus dari drive Anda. Perangkat lunak ini menyediakan perlindungan masa depan dengan imunisasi sistem; dengan menginstal file autorun khusus yang tidak dapat menghapus virus.

Dilengkapi dengan built-in beberapa alat seperti Task Manager untuk mengelola program berjalan, Autorun Suppressor untuk autorun sementara menonaktifkan sementara memasukkan drive dan fitur Sistem perbaikan untuk memperbaiki fungsi sistem yang rusak oleh virus. Ini tidak memerlukan update tanda tangan sehingga sangat sempurna untuk komputer offline.

4. USB Drive Antivirus 3.0

USB Drive Antivirus menyediakan 100% perlindungan yang scan secara otomatis, blok dan menghapus virus USB, trojan, dan kode berbahaya. Ia juga bekerja untuk kartu memori.

5. USB Drive Antivirus

Mendeteksi file jahat dengan kecepatan yang baik. Opsi Memindai tidak terbatas pada drive USB – Anda dapat memindai hard drive juga.

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Driver Nvidia Terbaru Sudah Support PhysX

Nvidia kemarin baru saja merilis driver versi 177.83. Merupakan tugas Nvidia untuk selalu mengeluarkan driver versi terbaru guna merevisi versi sebelumnya. Namun versi yang satu ini agak sedikit berbeda dengan driver keluaran Nvidia lainnya.

Driver versi 177.83 ini sudah mendukung PhysX, tetapi jangan senang dulu, HANYA kartu grafis seri 8, 9 serta 200 yang didukungnya. Jadi bagi kalian yang masuk dalam daftar kartu grafis diatas, silahkan mengunduh driver serta file-file menarik lainnya melalui link berikut ini.

Nvidia juga menyediakan full game yang sudah ada dukungan PhysX, guna mencoba apakah driver telah terinstall dengan baik dan benar. Game tersebut berjudul WARMONGER yang juga tersedia di link diatas.

Selamat menikmat PhysX tanpa harus membeli hardwarenya yang cukup mahal.

Untuk mengetahui informasi lebih banyak mengenai PhysX anda bisa mengunjungi website berikut ini.

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GPSLogger - a Free BlackBerry App to Track your Movement

Hopefully, you all know the story of Hansel and Gretel recorded by the Brothers Grimm. They were to be abandoned in the woods and their trail of breadcrumbs had been eaten by woodland creatures (jerks). Of course, everything had worked out in the end. If this fairy tale were to take place in the present, we may have seen a much different twist to this story. Perhaps they could have had their hands on a GPS-enabled BlackBerry device, bypass the Witch's house entirely and contacted the local authorities.

Okay, maybe not the best modern take on the tale, but there is a method to my madness! A few months back, Matthias (EMAC1.com) dropped word in the CrackBerry Forums of another ‘Donationware' app that he has concocted. An application that grants access to GPS functionalities, without having to go online. GPSLogger is a free application that essentially enables you to help you get where you are going and track where you have been. The application will also help you remember places that you have visited; perhaps a new hang out or a location of a movie set you accidently stumbled upon. Now, hopefully you don't get lost on the way to the rest of the review.

About GPSLogger

I mentioned earlier, that GPSLogger is another application created by Matthias Marquardt. You may remember his previous application I reviewed in the past; it goes by the name BBFileScout. As with BBFileScout, GPSLogger is a "Donationware" application, so make sure you show Matthias some love. For this review, we are looking at version 0.6.0 of the application, which will require 129.5KB of space. I tested the application on my Bold, but Matthias says it will work on BlackBerry Devices running OS 4.2.1 or higher, and was specifically tested on the 8100, 8310, 8800, 8820, 8900, 9000, 9500 and 9530.

The first screen you come across, which is the General Settings menu, may seem a bit confusing at first. The application sticks to pure functionality, so you won't find any focus on esthetics. The appearance can be slightly modified to suit your preferences. Options including font size, units of measurement (Metric, Imperial or Nautical) and the colour scheme for the applications NightMode. Initially, you view the data in black on a white background. NightMode saves your eyes, by switching to a black background and have the information display in either yellow, red, green or blue.

I liked the fact that GPSLogger offers a variety of ‘views' to search through, depending on the information you require. The different view modes include:

Path - a 2 dimensional view of your path so far.

Elevation - over time, this view will show your current altitude; using WGS 84 (WGS 84 is the latest revision of the World Geodetic System). This WGS is a mathematical representation of the 3D Earth.

Speed - during the tracking period, this view will display any changes in your speed.

GPS - This view will show your heading, speed as well as your longitude or latitude.

Timing - Here, you can keep track of the elapsed time and current speed.

Compass - I love this view. For those who are running OS 4.6 or higher, you can get access to a working compass.

Direction - If you have a destination entered into the application, this view will display an arrow or line that will point you in the right direction.

The header of each view screen will show you your Lat and Long, Altitude, the number of Satellites and Velocity. I kept the update interval at the default 5 seconds as I found it gave me a fairly accurate readout. GPSLogger allows you to use trackball or keyboard shortcuts to navigate through the interval positions. I was quite surprised at some of the results I found during the review. What started out as a simple family outing became a fascinating set of results. To see the elevation variation or changes in velocity or even the compass moving was amazing. You are also able to zoom in and out to get a more detailed look at the information.

Now, I don't recommend this while driving, but you can add notes as you go. If you happen to find a quaint little shop or another place of interest on your path, you can make a note in the log for future reference. Unfortunately, these notes are only recorded on your current view. I couldn't see the notes I made in the Elevation View when I switched to Path View. You can also pause the application at each location and choose to add the Location information for future use. Perhaps you want to load it as a destination for a later trip. This function is also known as the Guide Me Home function. The Location Manager has an option where you can manually enter in a location, hellllooo Geocaching! Besides positions, you can record paths taken.

GPSLogger also utilizes Waypoint files.

GPX - AKA GPS eXchange Format contains specific geocaching data (Long/Lat, Timestamp, etc)

KML - stands for Keyhole Modeling Language. Originally used for Google Earth, this format is used to display map info, movement, etc.

You are able to export your paths to GPX/KML and send via email or load the files into GoogleEarth. These file formats can also be imported into GPSLogger.

Next time your Boss/Parents/Significant Other asks "where are you?", you can copy your current location to the clipboard and then send it to them via SMS or email. Once you get a handle on the settings, the application is fairly easy to manage. GPSLogger offers a wide variety of keyboard shortcuts while you are in various view screens. If you haven't used your GPS enabled BlackBerry device to its fullest potential, GPSLogger is a great way to explore the built in functionality.

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Alienware Area-51 m15x and m17x - Maybe The Most Powerful Laptops

Finally Alienware company has officially released two new models of its laptops - Area-51 m15x and m17x, calling them “the most powerful laptops from all that have ever existed”.

The figure in the title of the models corresponds to the display’s diagonals (15.4″ and 17″), and most of the technical specifications are similar.

Both laptops will be equipped with the processor Core 2 Duo Extreme, graphics card NVIDIA GeForce 8800M GTX, 667 MHz DDR2, writing Blu-ray drive (in the model m17x) or typewriter DVD-drive (in m15x). One of the significant differences in the 15-inch model will be two hard drives, but m17x model - three (optional).

Their keyboards LED backlight is very beautiful, the colors of which can be installed on request. The prices on the novelties are still unknown. And unfortunately we don’t know about the time of their appearance on the market.

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Pre E3 – SONY vs MICROSOFT

Will Sony Throw the Fight?

At E3 we are about to see what, to console gaming, is the battle of the decade. I find it amazing because I was around in the 80s when gaming first took off and had anyone told me that Sony and Microsoft were going to be the two dominant gaming companies in 20 years I would have thought them on drugs. Back then Atari was predominant and unbeatable. In the 90’s Nintendo grew up and seemed unstoppable easily rolling over a number of upstarts headed by Sega what was a US industry was being fought over by Japanese vendors. Then Sony rose up and schooled Nintendo and, with the exception of hand held game systems, Nintendo started to follow the Atari game platform into the history books. Not to leave well enough alone Sony recently brought out their award winning PSP hand held game system and Nintendo’s last bastion began to crumble.

But, coming up behind Sony, was Microsoft as US Company which had shown an incredible ability to take on much larger companies and win by understanding how the game was played better then their competitors.

Growing much faster than either Sony or Nintendo and passing both in sales numbers (though Sony remains ahead in installed base) Microsoft’s Xbox, using off the shelf PC components and a better developer’s tool set became a real contender.

Xbox Strategy

Part of what made the Xbox special was its ability to look beyond gaming and apply the power of networking before the others could do so effectively. First embracing community, then voice the Xbox became a way to game differently and most felt playing against real people was vastly more entertaining then playing against a machine.

Expanding on this some games allowed the rudimentary ability to play against virtual people. In a racing game, for instance, you could play against a recording of someone not on line by racing against their virtual image. You could also race against your own virtual image learning from your mistakes to improve your overall score. While this has yet to translate into more complex game types it continues to point the way to in interesting future where players can play against each other asynchronously.

Microsoft envisioned a system that could also move beyond gaming by becoming a link back to their PC based Media Center Edition computer. By loading a disk and using a remote an Xbox with this accessory set could display pictures, video, play digital music, or time shift TV programs making it vastly more useful then just a game system. In fact, given that Media Extenders, which only did these things, were more expensive the Xbox was actually a better value. However, it was also kind of a kludge in that you constantly had to plug in components to transform the unit between functions, something consumers didn’t particularly find attractive.

Sony’s Stumble

Sony had the advantage going into this race. They had a massive lead, much like Nintendo and Atari did, they had a good product and they had an extensive game library. In addition many think Sony is the best Consumer Electronics Company in the world. What Sony isn’t is a company that plays well with others or even plays well with itself.

Early on it became clear that the Play Station was different. It didn’t look like other Sony products it didn’t work with other Sony products and while there was an opportunity to link it with its PC products the two Sony divisions clearly hated each other making such a link nearly impossible. Sony didn’t seem to have developer tools as a competence and didn’t partner well to create market leading tools making their games difficult, time consuming, and very expensive to create (something Microsoft leveraged heavily).

The PSP is a perfect example of what is an almost winner. It plays games incredibly well, and is clearly better then the Nintendo Game Boy, but had they emulated Apple with Music, pictures and Movies it could have schooled Apple as well and they clearly missed that opportunity. This leaves the door open for Microsoft, or some other vendor, to eventually take this market from them if they don’t fix this oversight quickly. They have a new CEO, but the head of the Play Station unit has been anything but tractable so, as amazing as it may seem, Sony is a long shot to holding even the hand held market as a result.

In short, Sony the company can stand against Microsoft, the Play Station unit, by itself, can’t. It is interesting to note that Sony seems to own the outcome and whether it is the curse of the gaming market, or just the curse of competing with Microsoft, for now the outcome seems preordained.

Playstation 3 vs. Xbox 360

It is too early to talk about the details of either product but to hold Sony will have to showcase a system that showcases the power of Sony. It will need to work with other Sony gear and dovetail in some clear way with their PSP hand held gaming system where Microsoft currently doesn’t challenge. We already know that Sony has not matched Microsoft with development tools but as long as the product remains in contention for the lead developers won’t really have any choice but develop for both, if Sony slips however the rules change and developers will abandon, at an ever increasing rate, the platform. Given that, like the iPod does for Apple, Playstation is carrying much of Sony, this may be a life or death fight for them.

This clearly is not a life or death fight for Microsoft. They will have to take it to the next level, embedding the features that were add-ons to the old Xbox and advancing them significantly. Design will be important; this device must look good in the living room and be forward looking so it continued to look current throughout its life, something the Playstation 2 did and the original Xbox didn’t. It should also leverage more standards so it could easily be extended over its life, something that was difficult to do with the original product due to its unique USB socket. Finally it needs to take the collaborative gaming experience to the next level because this was one of the Xbox key advantages and one they can’t give back to Sony.

Predicting the Winner

Unless Nintendo makes an unprecedented recovery they are out of the race but, of the three vendors, they have the most to lose and don’t want to become another Sega. Sometimes people do their best work when their back is against the wall so don’t count them out entirely. Still, this fight now appears to be between Sony and Microsoft. Microsoft has a history of focusing on the goal and rolling over any competitor in its way, Sony has a history of coming up with great products hamstrung by hard to use Sony proprietary technology and internal squabbles. It really isn’t that hard to pick the most likely winner.

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Radeon HD 4750 RV740 review

It's not exactly a secret that for companies like ATI and NVIDIA it is hard to keep the rumor mill under control. It was early January this year already that certain details surfaced on this lovely wise web hinting about the fact that ATI was working on 40nm products. Weeks later another rumor surfaced, some 40nm products should be arriving in the April/May timeframe and among the new products would be a chipset that carries product codename (ASIC name) RV740, slated as the first 40nm release. And that's interesting all by itself.

Now .. the technology industry works in mysterious ways and a pre-production model, slash prototype RV740 board to Guru3D.com arrived at our office a couple of days ago.

Not being tied to an NDA, without further ado, lets meet and greet with that RV740 graphics chipset. RV740 is positioned somewhere in the upper segment of budget level products. We are sure this product is going to be cheaper than 99 USD / 89 EUR. And considering where the product is targeted in the market, ATI is pulling a rabbit out the hat with a head the size of an elephant.

Why? What can you expect? Well, from what we see... performance is really close to the performance level of a Radeon HD 4850. So meanwhile others are re-labeling and reinserting their products at a new price point, ATI is moving forward with more interesting steps. Smaller die-size, more shader processors (compared to RV730), oh and that life-size rabbit I just mentioned... it's GDDR5 memory.

We are going to bring you guys a nice little sneak preview of what ATI is working on. Let me clearly state, nothing in this review is finalized or can be seen as a concluding fact, the specifications (clock frequencies) and configurations might change for all we know. We are testing an early engineering sample here. It will however be a pretty good assessment of what ATI is going to release somewhere in April.

You guys ready? Let's meet the RV740, and though we don't know it's real name just yet, allow us to call this product the Radeon HD 4750 for the ease of understanding, product placement and well... the sake of the most logical name for this product, mmhh okay? Next page please.

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MSI Enhances Shader Clock Inside GPU

MSI unveils its latest MSI graphics card carry fine-tuned vBIOS settings, have best Shader clock setting of the NVIDIA GeForce 8 Series GPU. After this special treatment, graphics card can have much better benchmark result or real application performance boost immediately.

The ratio of Stream Processor clock (aka Shader Clock) over GPU core clock is raised, thereby boosting the performance of graphics card without generating too much heat.

"As we standing at the crossroad of increasing cost of energy resource and profound anticipation of better performance that never ends," said Vincent Lai, Director of MSI's Global Marketing Group. "How to utilize chips from existing wafering process and create higher execution output per watt by simply fine-tune practicable settings via engineering strength is one of the most important duties of high tech industry."In order to enjoy benefits of this unique tweaking skill, vBIOS on the graphic card must be re-flashed on the PC platform today. Users will violate the warranty agreement and could highly possible damage their graphic card product if they were not familiar how to re-flash vBIOS. MSI, as a technology leading and innovative product designer of computer products, presets the Shader Clock enhanced version of NVIDIA GeForce 8 Series graphic card product for better performance. Consumers can enjoy much better 3D experience right after opening box, no more hassle to re-flash vBIOS or tweaking anything.

For the hard-core gamer, MSI also launches a special version, the NX8600GT Twin Turbo, has two separate vBIOS on-board which carry two dedicated GPU/Shader/Memory clock settings. Users only have to press a hardware button on the bracket, and then the new (higher) clock setting can be applied without re-flashing the vBIOS chip. Also, these two vBIOS chips give extreme enthusiast a Die-Hard workability (another vBIOS chip as spare) if they want to tweak the vBIOS to find out the ultimate performance parameters between Shader clock and GPU core clock.

Target to reach Singapore End-Sept.

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SPARKLE Announced GeForce GTX 285 1GB/2GB Graphics Cards For High-end PC Gamers

SPARKLE Computer Co., Ltd., the professional VGA card manufacturer and supplier, today announced the SPARKLE GeForce GTX 285 1GB/2GB Graphics Card for high-end gamers, delivering 30% faster performance than competing single GPU graphic card solutions.

Specification

Model Number: SXX2851024D3-VP, SXX2851024D3-VM, SXX2852048D3-VP, SXX2852048D3-VM

Graphics Processing Unit: GeForce GTX 285

Core Clock: 648 MHz

Memory Type: 1GB / 2GB GDDR3

Memory Interface: 512-bit

Stream Processors: 240

Shader Clock: 1476 MHz

Bus Type: PCI-Express 2.0

RAMDAC: 400 MHz

Outputs: Dual DVI-I

HDMI: Yes (Via adapter)

Extreme DX10 HD Gaming Experience

The SPARKLE GeForce GTX 285 1GB/2GB are the world’s most powerful single GPU graphics cards solution, delivering 30% faster performance than competing single GPU solutions. With the power of GeForce GTX 285 GPUs, they bring ultimate DX10 HD gaming experience to high-end gamers. The SPARKLE GeForce GTX 285 1GB/2GB graphics cards place gamers in the center of the action and experience true DirectX 10 gaming cinema in extreme HD (2560x1600) resolutions all enabled by GeForce 200 Series’ second generation unified architecture, NVIDIA SLI technology, and incredible performance in the latest games including Far Cry 2, Mirrors Edge, and Call of Duty 5: World at War. With up to 50% more performance than prior generation GPUs, GeForce GTX 285 GPUs tear through complex DirectX 10 environments and cinematic effects at blazing frame rates in extreme HD resolutions.

2GB Extreme Large-Capacity GDDR3 Memory

Today‘s game, such as GTA IV, Crysis, Alone in the Dark 5, Stalker: clear sky, they normally use a large number of bump texture, transparent texture to describe faces of characters and render realistic gaming scenes, so these games put higher demands on the capacities of video memory. The current situation demands at least 512 MB video memory to run these games. Compared with ordinary GeForce GTX 285 graphics cards on market with 1GB video memory, SPARKLE GeForce GTX 285 2GB Graphics Card comes with incredible large 2GB GDDR3 video memory, making them to be first batch of GTX 285 graphics cards in the world with 2GB video memory.

NVIDIA 3D Stereo Support

The SPARKLE GeForce GTX 285 1GB/2GB Graphics Cards support GeForce Stereoscopic 3D Technology from NVIDIA, which is market complete hardware and software kit for gamers built by NVIDIA for the 3D stereoscopic gaming market. It will immerse gamers in the world of 3D content like never before. Monsters, bullets, and landscapes jump out of gamers' flat monitors and into their imagination, making them part of the game. With NVIDIA GeForce Stereoscopic 3D driver technology, gaming will never be the same. Now with support for Microsoft Windows Vista and the SPARKLE GeForce GTX 285 1GB/2GB Graphics Cards, gamers can play the hottest games and feel like they’re part of the action rather than watching it happen!

NVIDIA SLI® Multi-Monitor support

Switch seamlessly between multi-display desktop mode and full screen 3D gaming with SLI. And enjoy full multi-GPU support for dual-display capable 3D games such as World in conflict, Supreme Commander Forged Alliance, and Flight Simulator X.

3-Way SLI Support

The SPARKLE GeForce GTX 285 1GB/2GB Graphics Card supports NVIDIA 3-way SLI technology, which provides even higher frame rates and permits higher quality settings for the ultimate experience in PC gaming when connected to a high-end, high-resolution monitor.

2nd Generation PureVideo HD

High-definition video decoder and post-processor deliver unprecedented picture clarity, smooth video and accurate color for movies and video.

Cooling System

Exquisitely made cooling fans, which have high performance thermal compound ensures optimal thermal dissipation even after years of use.

Full Microsoft ® DirectX ®10 support

World’s first DirectX 10 GPU with full Shader Model 4.0 support delivers unparalleled levels of graphics realism and film-quality effects.

NVIDIA™ PhysX

GeForce GPU support for NVIDIA PhysX technology, enabling a totally new class of physical gaming interaction for a more dynamic and realistic experience with GeForce.

NVIDIA™CUDA Technology

CUDA technology unlocks the power of the GPU's processor cores to accelerate the most demanding system tasks such as video transcoding delivering up to 7x performance over traditional CPUs.

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NVIDIA GeForce GTX 200M and GTS 100M GPUs for Notebooks Announced

NVIDIA today introduced GPUs in four separate categories that push performance to the highest levels ever achieved in enthusiast and high-performance notebooks. Included in the group is the fastest notebook GPU in the market, the GeForce GTX 280M, with up to 50% more performance than previous generation enthusiast notebook GPUs.

"These new NVIDIA GeForce GPUs are for those who won't accept compromise in notebook performance," said Rene Haas, general manager of notebook business at NVIDIA. "These new GPUs meet the needs of the most demanding consumers in the marketplace by delivering industry-leading performance at all price segments along with features that go beyond graphics."

The new line-up of notebook GPUs from NVIDIA include:

* GeForce GTX 280M and 260M GPUs for enthusiast notebooks.

* GeForce GTS 160M and 150M GPUs for high-performance, sleek notebooks.

GeForce GTX 200M and GeForce GTS 100M Series GPUs make playing the latest HD games on a portable platform a reality by delivering blistering frame rates that are up to 50% faster than the previous generation products they are replacing, all without increasing overall power consumption. Using NVIDIA SLI technology, which enables close to double the graphics performance over a single GPU, two NVIDIA GeForce GTX 280M GPUs can be paired to offer the fastest notebook graphics solution available today. In order to enable a quiet state and to increase battery life, NVIDIA HybridPower technology can dynamically power down the powerful discreet GPU and transfer graphics operation to the integrated GPU for applications that do not require the high level of graphics horsepower.

GeForce GTX 200M and GeForce GTS 100M Series GPUs feature the NVIDIA CUDA computing architecture and deliver Graphics Plus capabilities not found on competing solutions. Only with NVIDIA GPUs can you experience jaw-dropping NVIDIA PhysX gaming effects and lightning fast video and image processing all accelerated by the GeForce GPU.

Users with notebooks equipped with NVIDIA GPUs have the added flexibility of downloading upgradeable graphics drivers directly from NVIDIA.com so they can immediately take advantage of new features, improved application compatibility, and performance optimizations. NVIDIA is the only GPU manufacturer that offers notebook driver downloads direct to consumers.

ASUS, Clevo and MSI are all showing notebooks based on the new GeForce GTX 200M and GeForce GTS 100M Series GPUs at CeBit. For more information on GeForce GTX 200M and GeForce GTS 100M Series GPUs, please visit http://www.nvidia.com.

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ATI Announces CrossFire Video Card Solution

ATI Technologies has announced details surrounding its asymmetric CrossFire video card solution, which allows users to combine the rendering horsepower of two ATI graphics cards with a third devoted to modeling the environment. In addition, the configuration furthers adds to the PC capabilities made possible through Intel's Core 2 Duo platform.

ATI's CrossFire X1900 multi-GPU solution in combination with Intel Core 2 Duo processors address both CPU and GPU bottlenecks within a PC, producing high image quality and performance in games, while a single ATI Radeon X1K GPU processes realistic physics.

The Radeon X1900 XTX is one the highest performing physics processor available today, delivering 360 Gflops of processing power. The GPU allows for scenes with up to 20-30,000 distinct objects that can now be accurately simulated and rendered at real-time frame rates.

CrossFire offers users a choice of physics configurations rather than being locked into symmetrical setups. This flexible architecture allows asymmetrical configurations as unlike cards can be used for physics processing in both 1+1 and 2+1 setups. Within these configurations, one or two graphics cards are used for game rendering, while another card is used for physics. This open architecture accommodates a wider array of users, whether they want to use a high-end graphics card for physics, or a mainstream card.

In addition, ATI also announced today that it is working with middleware provider Havok, and that the firm's Havok FX software allows developers to enable more convincing detailed environments.

Finally, ATI announced that it has ramped up the CrossFire certification program to make it easier for consumers to recognize what products are CrossFire-ready. To ensure compatibility of components, and strong performance for CrossFire systems, over 90 products have been tested and certified since the program's inception in March. Interested users can find the most up-to-date list of CrossFire certified components, including graphics cards, motherboards, power supplies, and memory, at on the CrossFire website

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ATI Radeon HD 4890: Playing To Win Or Played Again? : Introduction

Introduction

So far, this year has been a real bore with regard to graphics launches, don't you think?

True, we’re only four months in to 2009. But we’ve already seen Nvidia reclaim the “fastest card” title with its GeForce GTX 295—a dual-card solution with two chips somewhere in between the nearly year-old GeForce GTX 280 and GTX 260. The company followed up with a rebranding of its GeForce 9800 GTX+ in the GeForce GTS 250.

To Nvidia’s credit, it has kept a steady stream of those GeForce GTX 295s in stock at e-tail, despite all of the whining elsewhere on the Web about that being a stunt card. If I’m a gamer and I can buy one right now online, then that’s all I care about.

And we’re hearing rumblings now of a GeForce GTX 275—in essence, a GeForce GTX 295 cut in half (just one of those in-between GPUs). And oh, look at what just arrived via Fed Ex—a GeForce GTX 275. You’ll want to read that story when you’re done with this one for the scoop on Nvidia’s newest mid-range offering.

A Little Action From The Other Side

Today isn’t about Nvidia, though (Ed.: As suggested above, it turns out that Nvidia is out to steal the red team’s thunder with its GeForce GTX 275. We’ve written that one up in a separate story). Rather, it’s ATI’s turn to respond. And while AMD has commanded the organization’s spotlight through the start of ’09 with its Phenom II processor, the graphics division has a little something up its sleeve, too.

I say ‘little’ because today’s launch of the Radeon HD 4890 is, like Nvidia’s recent string of unveilings, decidedly evolutionary in nature. To ATI’s credit, its latest is based on a re-spun GPU, so it’s no RV770 plus a few megahertz. But if you were hoping for something that could kill a Radeon HD 4870 X2, you’ll be a bit disappointed.

I say ‘a bit’ because, while it won’t break past any existing speed records, the Radeon HD 4890 is notably faster than the single-GPU flagship preceding it. And while enthusiasts are expected to pay a premium for the new, faster processor and higher-clocked GDDR5 memory, the 4890’s real purpose is to bridge a gaping hole in ATI’s lineup between its $180-ish Radeon HD 4870 and the ~$400-ish Radeon HD 4870 X2.

To that end, the company is forecasting a roughly $249 price tag on this new solution. We think that number needs to come down a bit, though, to reflect the very-competitive sub-$200 prices on Radeon HD 4870 1 GB and GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 cards.

AMD’s reasoning on the price point is that the company is refreshing its “sweet-spot strategy,” which saw it launch RV770 last year, adapting the architecture down to the mainstream and up to the high-end. Since then, competitive pressure has pushed prices on those Radeon HD 4780/4850 cards down a bit. Now, it says, is its chance to re-establish a product at a crucial demand peak, as seen in the Mercury Research Data from Q4 ’08.

Our problem with that parallel is this: when RV770 launched, Nvidia was still trying to sell GTX 280s for $649 and 260s for $399. As a result, the AMD offerings looked like tremendous values. After a series of drastic cuts on Nvidia’s end, the competition is far tighter. So where, exactly, does the Radeon HD 4890 fall with regard to AMD’s own lineup and Nvidia’s contenders? Let’s take a closer look at the card, its GPU, DirectX 10.1, overclocking, and the always-telling benchmarks!

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