Nvidia has finally announced the highly anticipated GeForce GTX 480 and GTX 470 graphic cards based on next generation Fermi architecture. These new Fermi architecture cards are based on GF100 GPU chip and will support DirectX 11 and DirectCompute. This is Nvidia's reply to ATI's DirectX 11 compliant Radeon HD 5000 series graphics cards. New Nvidia GeForce GTX 480 would be available in UK for 429 Pounds (Rs. 29,500 approx) while GTX 470 for 299 Pounds (Rs. 20,500).
Geforce GTX 480
Last Oct., Jen-Hsun Huang, Nvidia CEO, unveiled next generation computational GPU foundation - Fermi architecture. The new GeForce GTX 400 graphics card family promises DirectX 11 tessellation, CUDA based Image Processing and Ray Tracing with Optix Engine Technology. Made from 40nm fabrication process the new GF100 GPU based graphics cards will have more than twice the transistor count compared to GT200 GPU based cards. The GF100 GPU chip will have 512 Shaders or CUDA cores which is more than twice the number of CUDA cores in GT200 GPU (240 cores). Yes, there were some teasers about the details about GF100 GPU architecture was teased in January.
Geforce GTX 470
Also read: Nvidia Fermi: The Good, The Bad and The Scary
Nvidia's top end graphics card Geforce GTX 480 comes with 480 CUDA Cores and 15 Stream multiprocessors. The graphics clock runs at 700MHz while the CUDA Processor clock runs at 1401 MHz frequency. The graphics card holds 1536 MB GDDR5 video memory clocked at 924 MHz and uses 384-bit memory bus interface to offer memory bandwidth of about 177.4 GB/s. For power, this card is equipped with one 6-pin connector and one 8-pin connector.
Nvidia recommends 600 Watts power supply for this GTX 480 card that sports thermal design power (TDP) rating of 250 Watts.
While on the other hand, Nvidia's GeForce GTX 470 comes with 448 CUDA cores and 15 Stream multiprocessors. With graphics clock running at 607 Mhz, the CUDA processor cores are clocked at 1215 MHz. Loaded with 1280 MB GDDR5 video memory clocked at 1215 MHz, GTX 470 uses 320-bit memory bus interface to obtain 133.9 GB/s memory bandwidth. This graphics card has two 6-pin connectors. One will require 550 Watts power supply for GTX 470 that has TDP rating of 215 watts.
Both cards support twin dual-link DVI-I ports and mini-HDMI port that adheres to HDMI 1.4 specifications - basically means better 3D experience. Of course, you can enjoy the multi-monitor gaming with Nvidia 3D Vision Surround setup that allows hooking three 120 Hz displays with graphics cards in SLI configuration.
Nvidia boasts that new GTX 480 is the fastest compared to ATI Radeon HD 5870. We will validate the claim soon when we get the cards in our Tech Labs. Also, we don't know yet if Nvidia is working on a monster graphics card with dual-GPU on single printed circuit board.
Toshiba has introduced highest density 1TB 2.5-inch hard drive for portable and form factor mobile computers. Ideally, the new high density HDDs are meant for consumers who fall short of storage space for their laptops. The 9.5 millimeter thick 2.5-inch MK7559GSXP HDD has two-platters holding 750GB capacity and is almost like regular notebook HDDs. Also, 12.5 millimeter thick 2.5-inch MK1059GSM HDD model has three platters offering 750GB and 1 TB storage space. The sample shipments will start from next month. However, there is no word on pricing as yet.
Both new Toshiba HDDs use the company's own technology to improve the perpendicular magnetic recording technology head and disk. Inspite of the different number of platters and capacities, both different height HDDs have few things in common.
Both share the same 5400RPM spindle speed, 8MB buffer memory, 12 millisecond seek time and SATA 2.6 3Gb/s interface.
Also, both 2.5-inch HDDs have Toshiba's 'Silent Seek' technology that makes every data seek operation quieter just like an idle drives. The MK1059GSM 1TB model with three platters consumes slightly more energy 2.2W in seek mode and 1.7W in read/write mode compared to 1.85W and 1.5W for 750GB model, respectively.
This means you'll soon be able to go for high-density HDDs for your laptops and store more data on it. However, do note that these new HDD models may not fit into older laptops.
While everyone is still wondering what the iPhone 4G would turn to be like, there are some others who are looking even further down the lane. Questions like what will the iPhone look like and come loaded with in its 4G and beyond avatar is a hot topic for debate these days. With the world filled with people who are on the constant look out for any news on the iPhones of the future, even Apple's job listings are scrutinized thoroughly.
Understandably, a recent job posting related advertisement on the official Apple website has given rise to newspeculations about Apple's intentions with the iPhone. The company was seeking a "Cellular Technology Software Manager" with "expert knowledge of... WCDMA/UMTS, HSPA, HSPA+, LTE etc." Now, that might sound like just another job posting ad and you come across daily. However, if you know your telephony jargon very well, you might understand that the iPhone 3GS happens to be a 3.5G handset and that so far no one had any idea if Apple was even interested in LTE.
It is also pertinent to note that LTE is actually a fourth generation technology, and if Apple decides to put in LTE support into the later versions of the next generation iPhone, the iPhone 4G moniker, will actually make sense.
Asus has finally brought the G51J 3D gaming notebook in India. Bundled with special 3D glasses, this laptop has 120Hz 15.6-inch display panel and is equipped with Nvidia 3D Vision technology for the ultimate 3D gaming experience. Asus has added quad-core Intel Core i7 processor for better processing and Blu-ray Combo optical drive for watching HD movies. The new Asus G51J 3D would be available in India at price starting at Rs. 99,000 (excluding taxes) with two years of global warranty.
Designed and intended for gamers, the new Asus G51J 3D gaming notebook comes with Nvidia 3D Vision Kit that works with 120Hz display and makes use of one specially designed 3D glasses and one special transmitter. New G51J's 15.6-inch HD LED backlight 120Hz display that supports 1366x768 pixel resolution and is capable of running Nvidia 3D Vision friendly games. Asus would be offering two models of G51J notebook - G51JX-1X110V and G51JX-1X206V, wherein the latter model is equipped with more memory, more HDD storage and a higher version of Nvidia graphics card.
Asus places quad-core 1.6GHz Intel Core i7-720QM processor that can be speeded up to 2.8GHz with TurboBoost technology. For graphics horsepower, Asus has added Nvidia GeForce GTX 260M discrete graphics with 1GB GDDR5 dedicated video memory in G51JX-1X110V model. This model also has 4GB DDR3 1066MHz memory and 360GB+360GB 7200RPM SATA storage.
On the other hand, the G51JX-1X260V model comes equipped with GeForce GTX 360M discrete graphics with 1GB GDDR5 video memory, 8GB DDR3 1066MHz memory and 500GB storage. Asus offers a 6-cell battery pack with both models.
Both models sport 2 megapixel built-in camera and for HD movie buffs the Blu-Ray DVD Combo could be like an add-on. Both G51JX-1X110V and G51JX-1X206V notebook come with a 15-inch gaming backpack and one Razer gaming mouse.
All elite gamers can check it out as step down version of Alienware's M17X introduced in India last August for Rs. 1,39,000.
When Microsoft first displayed its Windows Phone 7 laden prototype, most people, like me were a bit surprised because the prototype, demo handset was NOT made by HTC, arguably Microsoft's most trusted hardware partner when it comes to Windows Mobile hardware.
The handset that was showcased at the Mobile World Congress 2010 (and in the promotional photographs and videos) was made by Asus. Many wondered if this was due to some strain in the relations between HTC and Microsoft. That doesn't seem to be the case as HTC's CEO Peter Chou has confirmed in a recent interview with Forbes that there are no issues and that HTC would be bringing out its first WP7S handset before year end. However, has not divulged as to what the handset would be like.
HTC has been concentrating a lot on Android of late - for which it has designed many capable handsets like the Nexus One, The Hero and the Legend. As for the first Windows Phone 7 Series device from HTC, we wonder if it would be as capable as HTC's current Windows Mobile flagship, the HD2 or the recently announced Android flagship - the EVO 4G. Let us wait and watch.
Microsoft has sent out an invite for the World Premiere of "Project Natal" for Xbox 360 Experience on June 13 at the Electronic Entertainment Expo 2010 at Los Angeles. Project Natal is Microsoft's camera based motion-controller for 'controller free gaming and entertainment experience'. Players can interact and control the Xbox 360 console through Natal using natural gestures and spoken commands. This add-in peripheral is rumored to be available in November this year at price of about $80 (Rs. 4,000 approx.) but no official word on pricing is out yet.
Project Natal is Microsoft's ambitious add-in peripheral which is meant to compete with Nintendo Wii's MotionPlus and Sony's recently announced PlayStation Move motion controller. Microsoft unveiled Project Natal last year at E3 convention 2010 and if this is a World Premiere, we assume it would be a final working model for retail.
Some of the biggest names in game industry that include Activision, Bethesda, Capcom, Disney, EA, Konami, MTV, Namco Bandai, Sega, Square Enix, THQ and Ubisoft have committed to develop games for Natal. Epic Games said it will offer Natal support for all future Xbox games.
On June 13, Microsoft will show Project Natal and the Xbox 360 media briefing will be held the next day. That time, we can expect official pricing and availability of Natal.
While private players are doing all they can to cash in on the recent IPL fever, BSNL, who never seemed least interested in the cashing in on any phenomenon has thrown a surprise and has announced a plan that might just make all you BSNL broadband users happy. Even though existing users would not be benefited by these offers, they can always hope for something on these lines would be introduced for them as well.
BSNL has revealed the details of a new plan for broadband service that can be availed by users taking a new connection from BSNL. Under this offer, all users who register for the service before March 31 will enjoy unlimited downloads at speeds of up to 2mbps.
BSNL also adds that they will not charge registration charges for these new connections. Note that BSNL will offer speeds of up to 2mbps for the first 15 days on these connections. After the 15 day period, the plan will revert to the one that the customer had originally chosen. Users who chose a plan that offers less than 2 mbps, will get a speed upgrade for 15 days after which the speed will drop. The user will need to pay Security Deposit for the opted Broadband Plan and the Modem Security Deposit (in case Modem is taken on hire basis from BSNL). These would reflect in the first bill you receive. BSNL has also informed that the minimum period of hire for customers who avail this scheme would be one month. Head to the BSNL website for more information on this.
At the Pwn2Own contest at the CanSecWest Security show, security researchers have found an exploit to hack iPhone's SMS Database in 20 seconds. Ralf Philipp Weinmann of the University of Luxembourg and Vincenzo Iozzo of German company Zynamics found this exploit for the iPhone that won them $15,000 prize, reported ZDNet. Safari on Snow Leopard and Internet Explorer 8 as well as Firefox browsers on Windows 7 got hacked too.
Weinmann and Iozzo collaborated to finding vulnerability and then writing an exploit - the entire process took two weeks. As a part of the hack, iPhone users have to visit a website hosting malicious code and then steal iPhone's SMS database - all in the matter of 20 seconds! Weinmann explained, "Basically, every page that the user visits on our [rigged] site will grab the SMS database and upload it to a server we control".
Thomas Dullien, Weimann's colleague explained that the attacker had potential to do more damage without leaving the iPhone Sandbox, a tightly-controlled set of resources for running unverified codes. The exploit was written to bypass the digital signatures for verifying if the code in memory is from Apple or not. Weinmann pointed out that there's a non-root user called 'mobile' with certain user privileges and using that exploit, he could can do anything that 'mobile' (non-root user) can do.
The details of the vulnerability won't be released until Apple would be made aware of the issue and it comes out with a patch first.
Peter Vreugdenhil, a Dutch independent security researcher, exploited two vulnerabilities in a four-part attack that involved bypassing ASLR (Address Space Layout Randomization) and evading DEP (Data Execution Prevention) when the web browser was used to visit website hosting the hack code. For this, Vreugdenhil will receive prize money of $10,000. Nils, head of research at UK-based MWR InfoSecurity, targeted Firefox by exploiting the memory corruption vulnerability and won $10,000 as prize.
Charlie Miller, principal security analyst at Independent Security Evaluators, found an exploit to hack Safari on aMacBook Pro without physically touching the machine and won $10,000 worth prize money.
These security researchers have now got loads of users worried, forcing them to think if their iPhones, Macs with Snow Leopard and Windows loaded with IE8 as well as Firefox are safe or not.
