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Before You Buy that Core i5/i7 Lynnfield Intel Processor…

Rico Mossesgeld — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:21:00 +0000

Decide first if you want to overclock your new PC or not. At least one computer hardware enthusiast website has discovered issues with how the Core i5 750, Core i7 860, and Core i7 870 CPUs, mainly with how they interact with compatible motherboards. Push these processors to the limit, and you might end up frying both the motherboard and CPU, rendering them useless.

Photos Courtesy Anandtech

All PC motherboards feature a CPU socket, which is where the processor is installed (or “seated”) to run the rest of the computer’s components. Ideally, once installed as instructed, all the CPU pins should maintain good contact with the corresponding recesses on the motherboard socket. This is important as it ensures not only the proper exchange of data between the motherboard and CPU, but power as well.

Anandtech’s discovery is that, on motherboard sockets manufactured by Foxconn for the processors mentioned above—or the LGA 1156 socket—the contact was less than optimal. This caused power instabilities that literally burned parts of the CPU and the motherboard. While Foxconn manufactures its own motherboards, it’s also the supplier of sockets for other brands like Asus and Gigabyte—particularly LGA 1156 sockets.

What does this mean for the average computer user? Probably nothing. Anandtech encountered the issue as they were pushing a Core i7 870 to clock at 5.19GHz—possible only through the use of Liquid Nitrogen to produce sub-zero operating temperatures. In any case, the website found that sockets manufactured by another company (LOTES or Tyco AMP) probably don’t have the same seating contact issues, and Anandtech makes it clear that this issue should only be encountered by “extreme overclockers”, enthusiasts who are more interested in breaking records than improving performance for everyday use.

Still, this makes me want to recommend that those interested in an Intel Lynnfield CPU should wait a bit—at least until this and other potential issues are resolved. Nobody wants to pay more than $200 for a high-end processor, on the off chance that it may suffer fatal damage under admittedly constant extraordinary use. What do you think?

Source

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Official Windows 7 Prices

Rico Mossesgeld — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 15:43:47 +0000

Announced today, the official pricing of Windows 7 is as follows:

Retail

Home Premium $199.99
Professional $299.99
Ultimate $319.99

Upgrade Packages

Home Premium $119.99
Professional $199.99
Ultimate $219.99

Courtesy Wikipedia

In other words, $120, $200, and $220 respectively. Before you get excited about the lower prices (when compared to Vista), remember that only 1% actually buy retail OS copies. The rest ~~download bootleg copies from torrent sites~~ get the OS when they buy a new computer.

Still, it’s great seeing Microsoft slashing their flagship product prices a bit. Maybe we’ll see less people call the company “M$” on online forums.

Some bad news for Windows XP users though: Windows 7 will insist on a clean install, allowing no upgrades. Any Windows 7 upgrade package will work with XP though, checking first if the XP installation is legit before installing itself onto the same partition as XP.

One more thing to keep in mind: upgrading to Windows 7 from a higher edition of Vista will also require a clean install, as in the case of a Vista Ultimate user wanting to install Windows 7 Home Premium.

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Last Week’s Top Posts

Rico Mossesgeld — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 12:00:16 +0000

As we approach the start of April, expect all those practical jokes to crop up online. In the meantime, check out what proved most popular from last week:

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Win Tickets to Star Trek Holywood Premier—Or Experience Zero-G for Real

Rico Mossesgeld — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 20:57:25 +0000

For Intel and Lenovo, the Star Trek franchise represents an opportunity to reach the geeky people. You know, the type who give a damn about CPUs and computing equipment. That’s why they’re raffling off access to:

A trip for four to the Hollywood Premiere of the new Star Trek movie.
A “zero gravity flight” for a group of four. That’s the trip where you all fly in a plane that climbs up then descends quickly, creating zero gravity conditions for you and friends to play around in.

The so-called New Frontiers Sweepstakes is only open to US residents, age 18 and above. Visit http://boldlygo.intel.com/newfrontiers to join.

Tomorrow, The Gadget blog will be holding its own special Star Trek related promo, thanks to Intel and Lenovo. Stay tuned dear readers!

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Diamond-Encrusted Vertu Constellation

Rico Mossesgeld — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 09:41:37 +0000

Seriously though, who has the money to buy these kinds of phones?

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The Walmart Virus Spreads Like Wildfire, Ignores Mid-West US

Rico Mossesgeld — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 14:31:48 +0000

Interesting stuff over at Flowing Data: a visual record of Walmart’s rapid growth, from 1968 to 2007. It’s a bit creepy, how Walmart geometrically increased its footprint on the American landscape, though Walmart-haters will like the company’s relative lack of presence in the American Mid-West.

Watching the Growth of Walmart Across America

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Apple vs. Palm: Round 2

Rico Mossesgeld — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 16:27:04 +0000

“We like competition, as long as they don’t rip off our IP, and if they do, we’re going to go after anybody that does….We will not stand for having our IP ripped off and we’ll use whatever weapons we have at our disposal [to make sure that doesn't happen]. I don’t know that I can be more clear than that.”

-Apple COO Tim Cook

“Palm has a long history of innovation that is reflected in our products and robust patent portfolio, and we have long been recognized for our fundamental patents in the mobile space… If faced with legal action, we are confident that we have the tools necessary to defend ourselves.”

-Palm spokesperson Lynn Fox

What? Apple claiming something for themselves and Palm insisting on its top dog status? Has anything really changed?

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Victorinox Updates Offerings With SwissFlash

Rico Mossesgeld — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 16:52:19 +0000

It apparently took them a while, but Victorinox—better known as the maker of Swiss Knives—recently featured the SwissFlash. Basically a pocket-sized gadget with traditional tools like a keyring and a blade, the SwissFlash also features a detachable 32GB flash drive, a laser pointer, and a Bluetooth remote for presentations.

A fitting high-tech combo, no doubt, which is why Victorinox decided to showcase this product during the recently-concluded CES 2009. Considering what you’ll get, the $330 price actually seems pretty reasonable. Check out the product page for more information and the list of variants.

(Photo and credit: Popgadget)

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Get Windows 7 Beta 1 Today (If You’re Lucky)

Rico Mossesgeld — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 15:42:09 +0000

So today’s the day when the first beta of Windows 7 is available, and if you want to try out Microsoft’s latest gem, you’d better pay attention to what Wired says. To make a long story short, the beta will be available only today, Windows 7 upgrades will only work with Vista SP1, and you’ll need to register to get a product key. The ISO is estimated to be 2.5 to 3.5GB in size.

But good luck. I’ve tried visiting Wired’s source, a post on the Official Windows Blog, and I’ve also tried visiting the Windows 7 page to get the download link. Wired warned that “demand will be huge.” Seems like that’s true, or Microsoft has dropped the ball on this one.

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What are You Doing Online?!?

Rico Mossesgeld — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 01:00:36 +0000

If you’re reading this post, set for publication after 6pm on December 24, 2008, then I have all the right in the world to ask what are you doing online?!

Where I come from, we party on Christmas Eve. Even those who’ve got work during the day disconnect from everything else, and clear the night for a night of alcohol, debauchery, and gift-giving!

So I suggest you do the same now. Stop straining your eyes, stop staying on top of what’s happening on the internets. Stand up and leave the computer (you are of course, welcome to download torrents, since they don’t need your direct supervision anyway). Give yourself a break now, especially since you’ve probably got no work tomorrow. Enjoy your Christmas Eve!

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