Atari celebrates 40th anniversary of Pong

Atari has celebrated the 40th anniversary of its classic arcade game pong.The iconic gaming brand has been through a massive number of changes, sales and crises since pong came out. It was the first successful mainstream video game on its release in 1972. Now Atari has come out with one more version Pong World the first ever official new pong game on iOS. It is modded XBOX 360 that has an LCD stuck on it and looks like an Atari 2600 console. Pong World is intriguing. The game features four different environments and plenty of new features such as power ups,"paddle creatures," and different game modes. It's free download, and you can get it from the App store now.

ASUSTOR launches AS6 series NAS

 ASUSTOR has announced the launch of its all new AS 6 series Network Attached Storage(NAS). The AS 6 series NAS devices come in 2, 4, 6 and 8-bay models and feature system sleep mode along with near instantaneous wake up times.Equipped with the Intel Atom 2.13 GHz dual-core processor and 1GB RAM(expandable),the 6 series combines supercharged performance with low power consumption.Intel technology also makes it possible for the devices to boast HDMI outputs which allows for the playing of HD video and multimedia directly to HDMI ready displays.
      All models in the series come pre-loaded with ASUSTOR Data Master(ADM) an ideal operating system for storage devices that provides users with a fresh and intuitive user interface.Additionally, the 6 series also provides added functionality through ASUSTOR's app central which offers an expansive variety of apps for users to enjoy. Featured Apps by ASUSTOR include Download center, an easy to use download manager, and surveillance center which gives users the power to manage an array of IP cameras. There will be apps downloaded by third parties and the open source communities such as Plex Media Server, a complete media solution, and Piwik, a popular free alternative to Google Analytics.With the new HDMI connector consumers can play directly from the AS 6 NAS, and the web feature enables access anytime, anywhere, on any intelligent device creating a personal cloud.

The AS 6 Series also features:
- Apple Time Machine support for multiple users
- Military grade AES 256-bit encryption for individual shared folders
- Remote replication via FTP & Rsync
- Internal and External disk hibernation
- Push and Pull backup for flexible backup technology deployment
- Built-in firewall and Network Defender to prevent malicious attacks
- Cloud connect technology for easy access to the NAS
- Energy saver for power conservation
- UPnP Media Server to stream multimedia to your DLNA devices
- iTunes server to share your music and movies among all computers
- Active Directory support for more than 500,000 records
- iSCSI targeting for easy IT integration
- Add-on App and HDMI output that allows the NAS to become an HD media player

 Key Specifications for the AS 6 series are as follows:
- Intel Atom Dual-core CPU
- 1GB DDR3 RAM(Expandable upto 3GB)
- USB 3.0 (5Gb/s)
- SATA III (6Gb/s)
- VMware, citrix, and Hyper-v ready
- RAID 0,1,5,6,10
- Hard Drive hot swapping
- Read and write speed of 200+MB/sec
  

Sony's First set of 4K Ultra HD content for Home Usage

Sony unveiling its 4K ultra HD video content in the home.The new 4K ultra HD home video player is a hard disc server that connects easily to Sony's 84-inch 4K LED TV (XBR-84x900) allowing consumers to view 4K resolution movies. Available as a bonus loaned exclusively to U.S customers purchasing the Sony 4K LED TV, the video player comes loaded with content, including both full length hollywood features and a gallery of videos, creating the first true home 4K experience.The sony XBR-84x900 TV include more than 7000 Blu-ray Disc titles currently in distribution, to a near 4K resolution through the use of Sony's proprietary 4K X-Reality PRO three chip picture engine.
      The 4K ultra HD Home Experience includes the 84 4K LED TV, the video player, and an Xperia tablet S that serves as a remote control through an easy-to-use app. Pre-loaded onto the video-player will be the following first ever collection of 10 full length films presented in native 4K for the home:
 The Amazing Spiderman
 Total Recall (2012)
 The Karate Kid(2010)
 Salt
 Battle Los Angeles
 The Other Guys
 Bad Teacher
 That's My Boy
 Taxi Driver
 The Bridge on the River kwai

OCZ Vector 256GB SSD

OCZ has been in the SSD market for quite sometime, and OCZ has always been known as a underdog who tailored their parts more towards the power user/ tweaker crowd.They have been starting stepsto become a major player in the SSD market.In its major move OCZ has launched its new vector SSD series into the market as the first in a new series of drives that is sporting OCZ's new Barefoot 3 controller.

Specification: This new SSD controller was developed by the PLX and Indilinx teams which are acquired by OCZ. The controller also utilizes the Indilinx-infused firmware which has been previously used in conjunction with Marvell controllers.The new Barefoot 3 controller and firmware are specifically tuned for long-term performance in steady state conditions.The result of this hard work comes with the 256GB model touting 550 MB/s read and 530 MB/s write speeds. The vector also tops out at 100,000 4K random while write IOPS and 95,000 random read IOPS, all delivered over a SATA 6Gb/s connection. The OCZ Vector SSD comes in a mobile friendly 7mm form factor and three capacities of 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB. The listed power specifications are also good at 0.9W Idle and 2.25W active power consumption.

The architecture of the vector reveals that there is a DRAM cache for this controller, in contrast to the sandforce offerings. The 128GB and 256GB OCZ Vector models feature 512MB of cache and 512GB model holds 1GB of cache.The cahe leads to enhanced performance.The Barefoot 3 controller features 8 channels which will allow upto 8 NAND packages to be utilized. There is an ARM cortex processor in tandem with the OCZ proprietary Aragon co-processor, the Aragon is a 400MHz 32-bit processor that features an SSD-specific RISC instruction set. The Vector SSD comes with a 5 year warranty, and is good for 20GBs of data to be written for each day of that five year period. The MSRP for the 128GB is $149.99, the 256GB model for $169.99, the 512GB model for $599.99. Packaging: The box the OCZ Vector SSD comes in is standard fare, with a blue color scheme and the relevant information on the front and rear of the box. There are screws to connect the drive into the 3.5 drive ay adapter, and the screws to connect the adapter into the user's case included in the package. There is an included insert with a key for installing Acronis. Acronis is an easy to use drive image utility that will allow users to clone over existing operating systems to the SSD. This is a handy software tool to have, and a welcome inclusion to the kit. The OCZ Vector's black and blue case is bold and looks great.it comes in a 7mm Z-height it is surprisingly sturdy.There is an included thermal pad to keep the Barefoot 3 controller cool by shedding the heat into the SSD's case. There are 8x25nm NAND packages on the front of the PCB, and another 8 on the rear. There is one Micron 256MB DRAM package per side, for a total of 512MB of cache. The Indilinx Barefoot 3 controller is front and center, with the part number IDX500M00-BC. ATTO Benchmark ATTO Disk Benchmark is one of the industry standard benchmarks.ATTO is used to generate many of the marketed sequential specifications that you read on SSD packaging and marketing statements. In reality ATTO is a very simplistic tool that generates easy to understand results for market users. ATTO serves to verify that the rated specifications on the box are in fact attainable, and that the device is in basic good working order.ATTO runs independent of the file system, which allows it to operate outside of any file system restrictions or overhead. PC Mark Vantage PCMark vantage does a very good job of highlighting the performance difference experienced over the course of time with an SSD. PCMark vantage is currently one of the most widely used trace-based benchmarks that are available to the general public Gaming is one of the bigger attarctions for enthusiasts to spring on a new SSD. The OCZ vector wins this category with 186MB/s in steady state. As SSD includes a compression benchmark that is built into the utility.As SSD does measure latency at a 512b file size, when 4K QD1 is actually accepted method. The Barefoot 3 controller is designed to perform well in steady state and delivers well on that promise. More OCD Vector 256GB SSD reviews: visit :http://hardocp.com/article/2012/11/27/ocz_vector_256gb_ssd_review">

MSI launches Windows 8 GX60 Notebook equiped with AMD Trinity APU, Radeon HD 7970M

MSI computer Corp, unveils their newest AMD powered gaming netbook, the GX60, armed with state of the art components, including AMD Trinity A10 Quad core processors, AMD Radeon HD 7970M GPU, Killer E2200 game networking and steel series gaming keyboard, the GX60 is the ideal choice for the gamers seeking a high performance, yet affordable unit, Amazingly it runs Windows 8 OS.
     The GX60, part of the award wining G series of gaming netbooks. MSI's exclusive TDE(GPU Overclocking) and, cooler boost and audio boost technology delivers one-touch performance boost while AMD's Eyefinity, a stereoscopic 3D technology, allows users to run multiple independent display outputs simultaneously.
    The GX60 is available this week, GX60 comes with Blu-ray Disc reader, a 1920x1080 anti-reflection screen that reduces eyestrain while widening the field of view, 9 cell battery for extended mobile pleasure, gold coated audio jacks for crystal clear and high fidelity sound.

MSI Z77A-GD55 LGA 1155 Motherboard

MSI is a well known name and staple of the computer enthusiast motherboard market. MSI offers a wide range of products including, tablets, notebook computer cases, servers, graphics cards, and wireless nerworking hardware.MSI is also best known for its motherboards.
      The MSI Z77A-GD55 is a Z77 express chipset based motherboard designeed for socket LGA1155 processors. The motherboard has several MSI specific features to offer such as MSI's Military Class III design specifications, click BIOS II, and OC Genie.The more technical features of the motherboard are DrMOS II MOSFETs, Hi-c caps, solid ferrite core chokes, solid electrolytic capacitors, and active phase switching. Additional features provided by the chipset are 4 SATA II 3Gb/s ports, 2 SATA III 6Gb/s ports, PCI-Express 3.0 and 2.0 support, SLI/crossfireX support and support for USB 3.0 devices.



  
      Board Layout
             The layout of the Z77A-GD55 is good.The CPU socket is clear of any major obstructions and though the MOSFET coolers are fairly large and powerful these shouldn't pose a problem.The DIMM slots are too close but that comes with the territory on LGA1155 boards or any board which is compatible with CPUs that use an integrated memory controller.There are four DDR3 DIMM slots which are correctly color coded to indicate proper dual channel mode operation.These are free and clear of the primary PCI-Express x16 slot so installation of memory modules won't require removing the video card.

        The Z77 Express chipset is a unified chipset as a result north bridge is actually located in the area where the south bridge used to be located you can see it on some boards. It is cooled by a flat, passive heat sink which has a low enough profile to avoid expansion card clearance issues.It is also directly behind the board's 6 SATA ports, which are properly right angled for your convenience and eliminate further clearence issues.The rear I/O pael area is packed with about as many ports as it can be. It contains the following ports: 1 PS/2 keyboard or mouse port, 4 USB 2.0 ports, 2 USB 3.0 ports, 1 clear CMOS button, 1 S/PDIF out, 1 optical out, 1 HDMI port, 1 DSUB port, 1 DVI-D port and finally 6 mini-stereo jacks.

              BIOS
   MSI uses a 64Mbit Flash ROM containing an American Megatrends Inc. In the OC section we can see our current CPU and DRAM frequencies at the top along with our multiplier. The base frequency, adjust CPU ratio, adjust CPU ratio in OS, internal PLL over-voltage, EIST, Intel Turbo Boost, OC Genie control and other features are found here. There is a sub-menu for the advanced DRAM configuration but accessing it requires that you set the DRAM timing mode to "Linked" or "Unlinked". The auto mode doesn't allow for adjustments there.As we scroll down we have spread spectrum settings, CPU core Vdroop offset control, digital compensation level, CPU core voltage, CPU I/O voltage, DRAM voltage and more. Scrolling down again we have OC retry count and then additional sub-menus.


    In the advanced DRAM timing, we can choose which channel we'll be tuning and then finally get down to it. The command rate as well as the latency values are all adjusted here.There are a couple of pages of adjustment and too many to list. Another sub-menu is the overclocking profiles. From here you can save, or load a pre-defined profile. You can even save or load these to the USB devices. The CPU specification menu gives us our model number, clock speed, CPUID, microcode, ratio status, CPU ratio, cache data and the number of cores. An additional sub-menu called CPU technology support shows us what instruction sets and extensions the CPU supports. The memory-Z feature works on a per DIMM basis allowing us to view each module separately. Memory type bandwidth, brand, part and serial numbers are shown along with the SPD timing tables. Though not all the data is shown as the tables are consist of timings at various supported frequencies in the case of overclocked RAM. X.M.P timings are viewable separately from here via another sub menu shown above. The CPU features menu shows as CPU specific features such as Hyper-Threading, active processors cores, execute disable bit enable/disable, virtualization support, C1E, Intel C-state, and core ratio limits among other things. The click BIOS II is a feature rich and deep UEFI offering plenty of tweaking options.

    Sound Hardware
      The MSI Z77A-GD55 uses the Realtek ALC892 8-channel audio CODEC for its audio solution.
   The Following specifications are:
 - Chipset integrated by Realtek ALC892
 - Flexible 8-channel audio with jack sensing
 - Compliant with Azalia 1.0 spec
 - The audio sounded ok.
     The MSI Z77A-GD55 motherboard shows to truly be a value in the enthusiast segment while being priced to the lower end of the spectrum at $129.99 after $10 MIR with Free prime shipping from amazon.The MSI Z77A-GD55 motherboard overclocks with extremely well, runs cool, and shows rock solid stability.