Intel H55 chipset includes FDI; display core is known as GMA HD

In order to take advantage of the graphics core in the Clarkdale processor, the CPU must be paired up with H55 chipset. Basically H55 is simliar to P55, bridging the interconnecting devices using 2Gb/s DMI connect.

H55 includes FDI (Flexible Display Interface), allowing direct connection between the CPU and the Graphics core. This allows the display information to be sent back to the H55 chipset for output.

In fact, the graphics core inside the Clarkdale processor is known as GMA HD. In comparison with G45 GMA X4500HD, the difference is the number of Unified shaders. It is increased from 10 to 12. It only supports DX10 (not DX10.1,DX11) and SM 4.0.

Motorola announced the availability of Motorola Milestone in Hong Kong yesterday. This new Android phone has some nifty features and comes with a 5 mega pixel camera. We have put up the press announcement and some pictures for your preview.

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Motorola announced the availability of Motorola Milestone in Hong Kong yesterday. This new Android phone has some nifty features and comes with a 5 mega pixel camera. We have put up the press announcement and some pictures for your preview.

Read article

World’s Most Beloved Gadget Has Its New Generation for the New Year
MSI Wind U135, a Must-have for 2010

MSI Wind Series, being a choice of millions’ users, have a new special edition for the coming 2010. Wind U135, a tailor-made solution with all-new Intel Atom N450 processor, along with U130, are now available in the market.

U135 and U130 are covered head-to-toe with Color Film Print coating. They are also the world’s first two Intel Pine Trail platform netbooks to receive International WiMAX Forum certification.

MSI Marketing Director, Sam Chern notes that the Wind Series Millions Special Edition U135 is created by feedbacks from millions of users and MSI’s determine to pursuit of perfection. The product is Windows 7 pre-installed, featuring Intel ATOM N450 processor with integrated architecture, an even more stylish design, a sturdier and quieter MSI Chiclet keyboard, a lid treated with Color Film Print coating over a stylish woven pattern, an extra 20% larger touch pad, and longer battery life.

Wind Millions Special Edition: Created for Your Refined Style

A functional, trendy design: MSI Wind U135 and U130 both have extraordinary styling, incorporating elements of trends. They embrace MSI’s exclusive Color Film Print coating and feature textures of water ripples. The U135 has choices of four colors: Refined Silver, Wind Dancer Black, Trendy Blue, and Cherry Red. The U130 comes in two all-new standard colors: Angelic White and Wind Dancer Black. The U135 and U130 are both designed scratch-resistant for a longer product life.

A taste of originality: The U135 and U130 inherit the outstanding tradition of MSI U Series netbooks. With an exterior as light as it is sharp and an efficient 10″ LED backlit display with 1024 x 600 screen resolution, web pages and documents can be viewed more easily in richer, more beautiful color. In addition, these two models do away with the straight lines and angles of tech products, employing graceful curves and arched designs that flow together in harmony. Underneath, the subtle three-dimensional material not only has practical anti-slip properties, but its luminous presence also adds contrasting layers that reveal detail and extraordinary, original styling.

Absolute Comfort & A Perfect User Experience

MSI’s Exclusive Chiclet Keyboard: MSI is devoted to providing consumers with the most comfortable user experience. The Wind U135 features MSI’s exclusive Chiclet keyboard that uses an independent key design for more stable, quiet operation. The look of Chiclet keyboard meanwhile gives the U135 a personality of exquisite and artistic.

20% Wider Touch Pad: The U135 particularly incorporates a wider touch pad. A 20% larger surface area allows for easier finger movement. By this design MSI continues to enhance user experience with netbooks.

Ultra-Long Battery Life*

The New Intel ATOM N450 Processor: The Wind U135 and U130 both use Intel’s newest ATOM N450 processor and a new generation single chipset architecture that provides extremely low consumption of 5.5 watts, increasing battery life by 15% and overall performance by 10%.

Exclusive MSI ECO Engine Technology: An efficient LED display and MSI’s exclusive ECO Engine technology are capable of bringing the new generation Intel ATOM N450 processor’s special qualities into play by saving power consumption. With ECO Engine technology, users can choose from five power supply modes–Gaming, Movie, Presentation, Document and Turbo Battery–to customize the power supply. This flexible feature gives the U135 and U130 all-day, uninterrupted, ultra-long battery life.
*Actual battery performance depends on operating circumstances and user settings.

The Extreme Limit of Current Generation Mobile Technology

International WiMAX Forum Certification: The U135 and U130 both support 3.5G WiMAX communication technologies (optional) and they are the first netbook products in the market with the new generation Intel ATOM N450 processor to receive International WiMAX Forum Certification.

802.11 b/g/n WLAN: What’s more, these two models also have built-in 802.11 b/g/n WLAN, 1.3MP webcams, V2.0 EDR Bluetooth, stereo speakers, and microphones. Plus, MSI’s exclusive Easy Face, Webcam Companion, Visual Effect2, and Print Creation software applications. These all make mobile computing more exciting and convenient.

About MSI NOTEBOOK

MSI Notebook’s goal is to become the most trusted name in laptop computers. We stand by our principles of breakthroughs in design, the pursuit of excellence, and technological innovation as we have continued to raise the bar for ourselves and have accomplished a great deal of pioneering work in the industry. If you need more product information, please visit http://www.msi.com

U135/U130 Spec
CPU
Intel® Atom™ Processor N450 (1.66GHZ)

Chipset
NM10

Graphic
GMA 3150

Memory
DDR2 667 support up to 2 GB(1 DIMM slot)

LCD
10” (1024 x 600) WSVGA LED

HDD
160 GB / 250 GB (2.5” SATA)

Optical
W/O

Card reader
4 in 1 (support SD,MMC,MS,XD)

I/O
D-sub*1 , USB 2.0*3 , Mic-in

Headphone, RJ45

Battery
3 cells / 6 cells ( optional)

Wireless
802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth V2.0EDR

Webcam
1.3 M Webcam

Sound
HD Audio, Stereo speakers

Dimension
260x180x19-31.5mm

Weight
1.2 Kg (with 3 cell battery)

OS
Microsoft ® Windows® 7 Starter

There is a rumour going on the internet that DFI rumoured to exit DIY mainboard business and concentrate on industrial mainboards.

If this is true, it is a really sad day for everyone as DFI has been around for so long, delivering top notch end user boards. Although DFI will still be around, but they will focus their strength on industrial use mainboards. This rumour might be true as we also find that it is weird that we have not heard anything about their plans for H55 series of boards which are scheduled for Jan 2010.

A few weeks ago, we previewed a DFI hybrid board. We put in a request for the board. They promised to send it out but days later, they made a bug U turn claiming that their boss have no intention to mass market it to the end user market. Instead, the Hybrid board will be sold as a industrial PC board.

Stay tuned for more updates.

In the upcoming month, manufacturers will be rush their new mainboards to the market  Although many manufacturers will have variations in design, ASRock throws in more goodies on it’s flagship board  H55M Pro.

This board not only supports the future processor, it also supports DDR3-2600+ (through overclocking). On top of that, it is one of the first mATX board to support CrossFire too.

For more info, please visit http://www.ocworkbench.com/2009/asrock/ASRock-H55-Series/g1.htm

Corsair® releases firmware with TRIM support for its Performance Series Solid-State Drives

- New firmware, rigorously tested and qualified by Samsung® and Corsair, maintains optimal SSD performance in Microsoft® Windows® 7 operating systems -

FREMONT, California, December 21, 2009 — Corsair, a worldwide leader in high-performance computer and flash memory products, today announced that it has released firmware with TRIM support and a firmware update tool for its award-winning Performance Series P64, P128 and P256 solid-state drives.

The firmware (revisionVBM19C1Q) and update tool were both developed by Samsung, and have been rigorously qualified by both Samsung and Corsair using a large number of test platforms, in conjunction with a controlled end-user BETA test of the new firmware.
“This new firmware release for Corsair’s Performance Series SSDs adds support for the TRIM performance-maintenance command in Microsoft Windows 7, further enhancing what are already some of the fastest and most respected SSDs on the market,” said Jim Carlton, VP of Marketing for Corsair. “While other SSD manufacturers have rushed out bug-ridden firmware and update tools, sometimes with disastrous consequences for end-users, Corsair refused to jump on the bandwagon. We took the time to rigorously test and quality our tools, ensuring that our users will have the best experience possible.”
The new firmware and firmware update tool are available immediately from Corsair’s Product Forum. The new firmware has been specifically designed to add support for the TRIM command in Windows 7, which enables the operating system to progressively ‘clean’ previously deleted or ‘invalid’ data from the drive’s memory cells, automatically maintaining optimal performance over time. In addition to the end-user firmware update tool for existing owners, all new Corsair Performance Series solid-state drives currently have firmware VBM19C1Q pre-loaded by default.

An image of the Corsair Performance Series P256 solid-state drive is available for download here

ECS Unveils Environment-Friendly Atom™ Motherboard
Smaller and Faster

Taipei, Taiwan, Dec. 21, 2009 – Elitegroup Computer Systems (ECS), the world’s leading motherboard, barebone system, and notebook manufacturer, is pleased to introduce a brand new small and powerful motherboard, ECS TIGT-I, embedded the latest Intel® dual core AtomTM processor D510 integrated memory controller and Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 3150(GMA3150) to deliver up to 20% higher performance than ever for home users.

The ECS TIGT-I motherboard features fast Ethernet, high definition audio for various internet applications and leverages integrated GMA3150 graphics core supporting DirectX 9 for popular graphics requirements. In addition, the ultra low voltage and Mini-ITX(170x170mm) form factor, make the ECS TIGT-I motherboard become an ideal solution for fan-less systems, small form factor PCs or portable devices.

Powerful and Energy-Saving

The ECS TIGT-I motherboard is based on Intel® NM10 Express chipsets and integrated with Intel® dual core AtomTM 45nm processor at 1.66 GHz. With the brand new 2-chip solution, the ECS TIGT-I saves 50% power but increases up to 20% performance than previous generation. Besides, ECS TIGT-1’s fan-less design come with the low-power processor also targets at portable battery-operated applications like mobile internet devices and low-cost laptop PCs.

The ECS TIGT-I is well equipped to a complete system with Fast Ethernet port, high definition audio, 2 x SATA3.0 Gb/s, 1 x PATA, 4 x USB 2.0, 2 x DDR2 800, 1 x PCIe x1 expansion slot.

At the press event held in Hong Kong, Motorola officially announced the pricing of the Motorola Milestone based on Android OS to go on sale at HKD 4680.

We also have unconfirmed news that the Motorola Milestone will also be available in another country in Asia, Malaysia on 1 Jan 2010. No pricing is announced.

Intel has announced new Intel Atom processors today that feature integrated graphics built directly into the CPU, enabling a new generation of netbooks and Atom-based entry level desktop PCs. Major OEMs have committed to having systems on the new Intel Atom processors and a new companion chipset available within the next few weeks, the company said.

The newest Intel Atom platform for netbooks consists of a new Intel Atom processor, the N450, and a new Intel NM10 Express chipset. For entry level desktop PCs, it consists of either the Intel Atom processor D410 or the dual core D510, also paired with the Intel NM10 Express chipset. The Intel Atom processor was designed for small devices and low power, and remains Intel’s smallest chip, built on the company’s 45nm high-k metal gate manufacturing process. The overall package, including chipset, just got smaller due to the increasing integration and 45nm manufacturing.

Intel stated it continues to see broad industry support for the Atom platform as netbooks in particular have been hot sellers during a recessionary year due to their affordability, function and small size (7- to 10.2-inch screens). Additionally, Intel is expecting to see broad channel adoption for Atom in a variety of small form factor entry-level desktop PCs at low price points, including ultra-small designs (less than 1-liter chassis), fanless designs, and low-cost all-in-one designs.

Since Intel announced the first Atom processors for netbooks and entry-level desktop PCs in June 2008, Intel has shipped over 40 million Atom chips for netbooks. In the same timeframe, netbooks ramped faster and sold more units than Apple’s iPhone or the Nintendo Wii. According to ABI Research, total Atom shipments for all segments are expected to continue to grow into the 100s of millions by 2011.

Intel has over 80 design wins to-date for the new Atom platform from such leading OEMs as Asustek Computer, Acer, Lenovo, Dell, MSI, Toshiba, Samsung and Fujitsu. While the bulk of the systems will feature the new Windows 7 Starter or Home Basic operating system, consumers will have a choice when it comes to selecting an operating system, with some OEMs offering Moblin Linux v2 as an alternative for customers who desire a customizable and differentiated user interface.

One of the most significant features of the new platform is the integration of memory controller and graphics into the CPU, a first in the industry on x86 chips. That means two chips (CPU+chipset) instead of the previous three (CPU, chipset, I/O controller hub), a lower TDP, and substantial reductions in cost, overall footprint and power. The netbook platform features a 20% improvement in average power and a smaller package size over the previous Atom platform. Because of the integration, the total footprint for the netbook platform has decreased by approximately 60%. For entry level desktop PCs, it’s a nearly 70% reduction in footprint and about 50% lower TDP than the previous generation.

The N450 is a single core Atom processor with 512k of L2 cache and a 7 watt total kit TDP including chipset. The D410 for entry-level desktop PCs is a single-core Atom processor with 512k of L2 cache and a 12-watt total kit TDP including chipset, and the D510 for entry-level desktop PCs is a dual core Atom processor with 1MB L2 cache and a 15-watt total kit TDP including chipset. The new chips all run at 1.66GHz. Pricing and availability will be announced in January as systems become available from OEMs.

The long awaited Motorola Milestone based on Android will make it’s first appearance in Asia tomorrow. It’s first stop is in Hong Kong. Below is an invite sent to press in Hong Kong.

You can also get near real time news updates via Twitter and Facebook from OCWORKBENCH.

Do follow us on twitter at http://www.twitter.com/ocworkbench and join our Facebook Fan club at http://www.facebook.com/pages/OCWorkbench/172425480487?ref=ts

We will also be changing our default English News Page to http://en.ocworkbench.com in the coming weeks. Please remember to update your bookmarks. At the mean time, you can still read it from http://www.ocworkbench.com

SATA3 is somewhat ubiquitous for all manufacturers as a selling point of their mainboards. Some manufacturers integrated the chipset onto the mainboard while some provides an external card to the mainboard.

In this video by ASRock, they compare the ASRock SATA3 card versus the Gigabyte integrated SATA3 on board. They used GPU-Z and found out that when the card is used, the PCIe full length slot is still running at PCIe 2.0 x16 while on the Gigabyte is at PCIe 2.0 x8.

The ASRock SATA3 card is also flexible as it can be used on your future motherboards and it also has eSATA3. This card is bundled with the ASRock P55 Deluxe mainboard (See Review : http://www.ocworkbench.com/2009/asrock/P55-Deluxe-Review/g3a.htm and SATA3 performance test with Seagate SATA3 HDD

Check out the video below

If you are looking for the latest price listings of notebooks, netbooks and other offers, do check out our forum section at this URL. We will also be posting news updates whenever available on our twitter and facebook accounts.

AMD releases Catalyst driver 9.12. Download it from www.amd.com

We are now at Suntec City Singapore for the 5th IT show of the year in Singapore. We are posting live updates of offers and news live from the ground.

You can check out our live feeds and follow us at http://www.twitter.com/ocworkbench. The same update can be found on our Facebook page.

FireFox 3.5.6 released

Mozilla has released new Firefox 3.5.6 update for Windows, Mac and Linux platforms. The new update patches few critical security holes in Firefox and also few stability fixes. About 62 fixes arrive with the Firefox 3.5.6 which can be downloaded here.

As per the releases notes of Firefox 3.5.6 web browser, the previous 3.5.5 version suffered from three critical security flaws. For all OS platforms, Firefox 3.5.5 suffered from memory corruption problems, and in their Ogg-format technology.

Apart from fixing these critical security holes, this update also brings about 62 patch fixes in the 3.5.6 version.

Firefox’s next major update 3.6 dubbed Namoroka was expected to arrive at the end of this year. However, we now see it coming only by next year.

Source Techtree.com

We were told about the Samsung bada sometime back during a press conference. Just in case you are not aware of what Samsung bada is, you can refer to this video. As the new comer to the open platform, it would seemingly trying to get the eyeballs with a beatiful user interface.

Here is how the bada UI looks like :

Picture courtesy of hdblog.it

Transcend Ships 4GB aXeRam™ DDR3-2000 Memory Kits for Intel Core i5 Platforms

Transcend ships 4GB aXeRam™ DDR3-2000 memory kits for Intel Core i5 platforms

Transcend Information Inc. (Transcend), a worldwide leader in the manufacture of high-performance memory modules, today launched 4GB aXeRam™ DDR3-2000 memory kits for use with Intel’s LGA1156 Core i5 and Core i7 platforms. The XMP-ready DDR3 kits are designed to operate at a blazing-fast clock frequency of 2000 MHz with an exceptionally low voltage of just 1.65V.

Featuring memory bandwidth up to an incredible 32GB/s, Transcend’s new aXeRam™ dual-channel memory kit is rated at 2000MHz with timings of 9-9-9-24, allowing performance enthusiasts and gamers to take their Intel Core i5 platform to the next level of memory overclocking performance. The Core i5, based on Intel’s new Nehalem architecture, is the first Intel processor to integrate both a 16-lane PCI Express 2.0 graphics port and a two-channel DDR3 memory controller, enabling all input/output and manageability functions to be handled by the single-chip Intel P55 core-logic.

To ensure extra stability and signal integrity at high clock speeds, all aXeRam™ modules are comprised of 128Mx8 high-quality DDR3 FBGA chips and use robust eight-layer PCBs that fully comply with rigorous JEDEC (Joint Electron Device Engineering Council) standards. The aXeRam™ DDR3 memory modules use premium DRAM chips and high thermal efficiency aluminum heat sinks with cooling fins to delivering amazing overclocking performance while maintaining cool temperatures.

The memory kit includes two identically matched DDR3 2000MHz modules and is now available in 4GB (2GBx2) capacity.

Appendix: Transcend aXeRam™ DDR3 2000MHz Memory Kit SpecificationsPart Number Capacity and Specifications Key Features
TX2000KLU-4GK 4GB aXeRam™ DDR3 2000+MHz Dual Channel Kit (2GBx2, 9-9-9-24, 1.65V) Kit of 2 ,optimized for dual channel, XMP ready

QWERTY keypad phones are usually targetted at the adults. With the more tech savvy younger generation, more tends to do more texting on their mobile handsets. This is all thanks to the popularity of SNS like Facebook and Twitter.

Below is our video, unboxing the Samsung Corby TXT, a simple practical phone for the youth. It has all the necessary features of a phone and enhance with Social networking tools. The only disappointment would be the lack of Bluetooth, 3G and WIFI connectivity.

Stay tuned to OCWORKBENCH as we will bring you a full review of this mobile phone soon.