Archive for: motherboard
Owners of Intel’s newest platform (dubbed “Sandy Bridge”) are no doubt feeling pretty frustrated after the recent announcement of faulty Intel-based SATA II controllers and ports. The workaround for people with only a hard drive or two is to not use the affected ports. For someone such as myself however, 7 of the 8 ports are taken up meaning I don’t have that luxury (similar to many other people I’m sure). Luckily Intel is going to make it right and issue replacements to everyone who claims one. But int he meantime, how do you know if you’re using faulty ports on your own motherboard? If you’re a Gigabyte P67/1155 chipset owner, you can download the new Gigabyte 6 Series SATA Check app. It will tell you which ports are affected as well as what is/isn’t plugged into them and where to move them. Those who have built their own computers won’t likely need this app as they already know which ports are the problem ports. But we can’t discount how handy this is for the less tech-savy.
As of writing, the app is only available in the Gigabyte Forums. Though, an official download via the company’s main website should follow shortly.
- December 29, 2010 10:59 am
In the world of custom PC’s, there are an unlimited amount of options when building your own rig. With that freedom and creativity comes potential compatibility issues. But it’s nothing this particular type of crowd can’t figure out. On that note, PC enthusiasts have a new toy mere weeks from release — Sandy Bridge. This new line of processor and motherboard hardware provides some decent improvements in performance. Naturally, pc hardware manufacturers are primed and ready to unleash a slew of new hardware into the market once Intel makes it official. Today’s highlight: The MSI Big Bang Marshal.
This board’s claim to fame is a jaw dropping 8 x16 PCI slots. However, we must note that of those 8 slots, 4 are true x16 while the other 4 actually operate at x8. Nevermind the fact that 8 x16 slots would completely overwhelm the motherboard. But MSI’s Big Bang mobo makes use of the Lucid Hydra chip which theoretically allows you to mix and match GPU’s on the same mobo. However, in this instance the chip is implemented on the bridge making cross-GPU compatibility unlikely. The Hydra was used solely for its bandwidth properties.
Nevertheless, the Big Bang Marshal is a beast. Look for more information in the near future as currently, the Marshal still lacks a price or release date, not to mention a finalized design and spec.
- September 15, 2010 8:54 am
Sandy Bridge processors aren’t available yet, but that hasn’t stopped custom PC hardware manufactures from jumping in feet first. Gigabyte took the time at IDF 2010 to show off two of their new P67 (Sandy Bridge) motherboards: the P67A-UD5 and GA-P67A-UD7. The most obvious change right off the bat is the color change. Gone is the baby blue that has adorned pretty much every Gigabyte motherboard for some time now. Replacing it is a much nicer looking and sinister dark theme that oozes sophistication.
The hardware is not only better looking, but beefier and of a heavier duty (both physically and electronically) construction. As should be standard these days, USB 3 is included by default meaning no pain-in-the-ass 3rd party cards. Gamers will likely want to know that tri and quad-SLI rigs will want to opt for the UD7 as it features Nvidia’s F200 controller whereas the UD5 does not. Still, most “gamers” don’t have $2k to drop on four GTX480′s. Just sayin’. While we’re talking about performance, it’s worth noting that Gigabytes current 1366 hardware can be had for rather cheap and overclocks extremely well. Hopefully this value and performance model transfers over during the move to Sandy Bridge.
Any custom PC builders looking forward to the upcoming Sandy Bridge release or are you still on the fence as to whether it’s worth upgrading everything again?
While you chew on that mind boggler, hop inside and check out a video with a Gigabyte Taiwan rep giving a rundown on the new hardware.
It’s no secret that Intel’s been dragging their feet with USB 3.0. They’re been relatively quiet on the subject, showing very little if any enthusiasm. With that, Intel has pushed back several release dates for USB 3.0 compatible chipsets in the last couple of years, angering many hardware vendors in the process. Without Intel’s help in pushing forward a standard, 3rd party vendors are left to come up with their own.
But it’s not getting any better. Intel announced this week that they are again pushing back USB 3.0 chipsets until 2012…
Talk to any self respecting PC builder/Gamer and mention the word “integrated graphics”. What you’ll unanimously get is a barking laugh back in your face. As computer junkies will tell you, integrated graphics are useless on desktop PC’s as they can barely power Windows’ visual effects, let alone games.
But what if “integrated graphics” were made to use traditional “discrete” GPU’s? ASUS asked that very same question and came up with this…
How thrifty are you? Thrifty enough to recreate a city out of your old junk? This man did just that.
Using old motherboards as his canvas, the city of Helsinki can forever live on in silicon. Using the Google Earth image on the top right in comparison, it’s apparent the creator did a mighty fine job.
[H]ard|OCP > Gizmodo
What’s the most important thing to look for when shopping for a new motherboard? If you’re planning on re-using some of your current hardware, compatibility is a good place to start. But what if none of that matters? What if you simply want the best…?
- December 28, 2009 9:42 am
Think that old, decrepit dying hard drive you tossed in some box never to look at again is still useless? Think again. With as cheap and plentiful as hard drives are becoming these days, trashing an old drive simply because it’s too small is all too common. But those precious bits you’ve tossed aside have so much more potential.
One possible idea is to slap it in an enclosure or hard drive dock to make an external hard drive out of it. But who needs another USB 2.0 external hard drive? (I have 6…) It is that very question that Unitek has answered. Brando and Unitek to be exact. Now before you get all nervous by hearing the word “Brando”, make a mental note that this gadget is far from a onetime use, novelty gadget. The Unitek USB 3.0 to SATA Adapter is pure ingeniousness.
As one can gather from the name, the device is a simple adapter that attaches directly to the back of that old SATA hard drive and gives it USB 3.0 superspeed abilities. Super! There are a couple other such devices already on the market. However, those other devices require a large dock to get the bits flowing at super speeds.
Now all you need is a computer with one or more USB 3.0 ports and the motherboard to support it and you’re golden. Who says old things can’t be fast…
[Product Page]
Engadget
- September 22, 2009 6:07 am
The processor race and its ever ongoing back and forth tussle between AMD and Intel is about to get a new addition sure to bring many more heated battles. Following on the heels of AMD’s server based 6-core processors, the consumer market is next in AMD’s crosshairs with the company’s announcement of a 6-core party starter unleashing number crunching madness on the consumer market come 2010. The new hotness will come with the “Thuban” moniker attached. Weird names I know but it is what it is folks. Usually, such new fangled tech means leaving older, loved, and used components and systems behind. Not so says AMD as the Thuban 6 barrel blaster will fully backwards compatible with AM3 and AM2+ motherboards. *Joy* As far as the dirty specs go, Thuban will feature:
AMD hasn’t confirmed it yet, but there is a high possibility the 6-core Thuban’s will take on the more consumer friendly name of “Phenom II X6″. Is your custom rig looking like it needs a tune up come next year? Balls in your court Intel…
Engadget > Maximum PC
