What we’re doing here is going down the list of trusted reviewers who today have their hands on the new core in a couple different brand flavors. Note here that each photo or benchmark sits below the author who photographed and/or provided it, except the image above which is also coming from HotHardware. The first of these is Don Woligroski of Tom’s Hardware who has the Zotac brand 448 Core, and his description of it lets us know how cool this card can be:

” Zotac’s option is based on its GeForce GTX 570 AMP! Edition card. As expected, then, it’s 9.5” long (about an inch less than the reference GeForce GTX 570 and about half an inch longer than the reference GeForce GTX 560 Ti). The 448-core card doesn’t get the designation of being one of Zotac’s AMP! models, but it does feature a slight increase of 33 MHz over the reference 732 MHz core clock spec. … The card has an interesting choice of outputs: two dual-link DVI ports, one HDMI, and one DisplayPort connector. You generally don’t see four total outputs on a GeForce-based card, since Nvidia’s GPUs still max out with two independent display pipelines. However, the choice to pick any two of the four is still nice.”

Next we have Marco Chiappetta of HotHardWare who is using the same Zotac version of the core inside a Intel Core i7 980X (3.3GHz, Six-Core) and Gigabyte EX58-UD5 (Intel X58 Express), the first of the benchmarks being spoken about in just such a way:

“Unigine’s Heaven Benchmark v2.5 is built around the Unigine game engine. Unigine is a cross-platform, real-time 3D engine, with support for DirectX 9, DirectX 10, DirectX 11 and OpenGL. The Heaven benchmark–when run in DX11 mode–also makes comprehensive use of tessellation technology and advanced SSAO (screen-space ambient occlusion) It also features volumetric cumulonimbus clouds generated by a physically accurate algorithm and a dynamic sky with light scattering. … The new GeForce GTX 560 Ti 448-Core Limited Edition card falls into place right where you’d expect it to in the Unigine Heaven benchmark, which is to say it was somewhat faster than the original GeForce GTX 560 Ti, but a hair slower than the higher-end GeForce GTX 570.” – Chiappetta

From Benchmark Reviews there’s Hank Tolman who is one of the rare reviewers to get the EVEA version of the card, noting from what we can tell that there’s not just a WHOLE lot of difference between this is the others. He also does benchmarks with a series of games, here with Battlefield: Bad Company 2.

“I really can’t complain at all about the performance of the GTX 560 Ti 448 Cores FTW. NVIDIA says that the GTX 560 Ti 448 Cores should run about 5% slower than the GTX 570, thus filling the gap between the GTX 560 Ti and the GTX 570. This is almost exactly the case in the tests I have run with the EVGA GTX 560 Ti 448 Cores FTW. I think there was only one test where the difference was 6% or more. The rest were either 5% or below. That’s likely due to the fact that the EVGA GTX 560 Ti 448 Cores FTW outclocks the stock GTX 560 Ti 448 Cores. With performance that close, it is probably a good bet that, when overclocked, the EVGA GTX 560 Ti 448 Cores FTW will do very well. … In our benchmark tests of Battlefield: Bad Company 2, the first three minutes of action in the single-player raft night scene are captured with FRAPS. Relative to the online multiplayer action, these frame rate results are nearly identical to daytime maps with the same video settings.” – Tolman

Finally there’s Ryan Smith of AnandTech, who again is using the Zotac version of the card, who both speaks on the price and has a collection of benchmarks, here showing FPS on the game DiRT 2 at 1680 x 1050 Ultra High Quality + 4xAA:

“The MSRP on the GTX 560-448 will be $289, however launch partners will be free to price it higher to match any factory overclocks they do. At $289 the GTX 560-448 is priced extremely close to the cheapest GTX 570s, and depending on clockspeeds and sales a GTX 570 could end up being the same price or cheaper, so it will be prudent to check prices. Meanwhile the GTX 560-448’s closest competition from AMD will be the Radeon HD 6950, which trends around $250 after rebate while the Radeon HD 6970 is still closer to $340. Overall NVIDIA’s pricing may be a bit high compared to their other products, but compared to AMD’s products it’s consistent with the performance. … With DIRT 2 our benchmarks once again swing back in favor of NVIDIA. At 1920 the GTX 560-448 is 14% of the 6970, never mind the 6950. The advantage over the GTX 560 Ti is even greater, with the GTX 560-448 coming in at nearly 20% faster. Throw on Zotac’s overclock and now the GTX 560-448 is as fast as the GTX 570. If you still don’t believe the GTX 560-448 is really a slower GTX 570, then this should be rather convincing proof.” – Smith

And of course we’re interested in your opinions as well – what do you think of this product as a possibility for your setup in the near future? Orangy enough for you?

NVIDIA notes that this driver download enables NVIDIA Surround on the newest X79 SLI-certified motherboards and those of you with BenQ XL2420T and BenQ XL2420TX monitors can now get 3D Vision DisplayPort 1.1 connections natively. Ambient Occlusion is included for Skyrim and MW3, this feature activated in your control panel once you’ve got it all downloaded and loaded. Ambient Occlusion essentially means you’ll have the best in-game shadow effects in the business. To get to this feature in your control panel, hit 3D Settings, Manage 3D settings, and find Ambient Occlusion (should be at the top) and set it to either Performance or Quality, then hit the Apply button.

UPDATE: head to this NVIDIA slider page to see how the shadows will improve your experience in all places!

Of course this only works after you’ve got the new driver downloaded and attached, which you’ll have to head to the Beta and Legacy Drivers page on NVIDIA to get. Once you’ve got it ready to go, have a peek at the full release notes here on what you’ve done to your computer. Only great things, only big hits! You’re gonna love it!

NVIDIA Ambient Occlusion
• Adds NVIDIA Control Panel ambient occlusion support for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.
• Adds NVIDIA Control Panel ambient occlusion support for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3.

NVIDIA PhysX
• Updates PhysX System Software to version 9.11.1107 for the best PhysX experience in Batman: Arkham City.

NVIDIA Surround
• Enables NVIDIA Surround support for Intel X79 SLI-certified motherboards.

NVIDIA SLI
• Added or updated SLI profiles for Crysis 2, Heroes and Generals, Inversion, Stronghold 3, and Syndicate.

3D Vision
• Adds support for 3D Vision over native DisplayPort 1.1 connection – available on BenQ XL2420T and BenQ XL2420TX monitors.
• Added or updated the following 3D Vision game profiles:
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 – Rated Good
Cang Sheng – Rated Good
Diablo 3 – Rated Good
Fei fei – Rated Good
Final Combat – Rated Good
L.A. Noire – Updated Rating To 3D Vision Ready
LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7 – Rated Fair
Qian Nv You Hun Online – Rated Good
QQ Xi You – Rated Good
Sonic Generations – Rated Good
Xian Tu – Rated Good
Yong Bing Tian Xia Online – Rated Good

HD Audio
• Updates HD Audio driver to version 1.3.9.0.

Bug Fixes
• Fixes random flickering as Windows boot logo is loading or fading away.
• Fixes corruption in Crysis 2 with SLI and lower quality shadow settings.
• Fixes ability to set Surround resolutions to 5760×1080 using custom resolutions.
• Fixes some random instances of triangular artifacts when playing Battlefield 3.
• Fixes corruption and flickering of some objects in Battlefield 3 in the New York single-player level when anti-aliasing is enabled.
• Fixes corruption seen in Settlers 7 with the NVIDIA 275.33 drivers.
• Fixes playback of videos or live TV using Window Media Center resulting in a black screen.
• Fixes the issue where 1920×1080 @60Hz PC resolution mode switched down to @59Hz.
• Fixes mouse cursor flickering and shaking in Crysis 2, Battlefield: Bad Company 2, Deus Ex and Civilization V when SLI is enabled when using 3DTV Play.

Don’t forget to check out our full review of Batman while you’re down here, it’s Battastic!

Targeted at the performance gamer market, the Zotac card comes equipped with 1280MB of graphics memory and a 320-bit bus. Occupying two slots, it has HDMI connectivity – among other ports – and supports NVIDIA SLI for multi-card setups.

The suggestion is that, rather than an overclocked regular GTX 560 Ti, Zotac could actually be using an underclocked GeForce GTX 570. That would make the core chip NVIDIA’s GF110, rather than the GF114, though of course we won’t know until the card hits the market.

When, exactly, that will take place is unconfirmed, though previous reports have suggested November 29. Pricing is yet to be revealed.

[via Expreview]

On the left of the screen here you’re going to be seeing the NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT, still one of the most popular graphics cards in many gamer circles including amongst Steam’s 35 million gamers. NVIDIA gives the statistic: “the 9800 and 8800 are one in the same, and combined account for 9.69% of all graphics cards used on Valve’s service.” What you’re about to see is a massive amount of additional bits, essentially, smoother movement and more detail than your eyeballs can handle. Pay special close attention to the bank notes, for starters, starting at 33 seconds into the video. Notice how they float around not just based on some pre-arranged path, but based on the people moving through them and even Catwoman’s whip cracks.

At 41 seconds in, you’ll see a “fully functional steel mill” which without GeForce GTX has only canned animations. With GeForce GTX activated, your CUDA Cores create hundreds of shiny particles that not only bounce off surfaces all around, they bounce off yours and the computer’s characters as well.

Real steel!

In the next scene there’s smoke, in the scene after that there’s another heavy amount of paper bills floating around, and all throughout your brain will be melting with the pleasure that comes from seeing TOO MUCH awesome stuff going on in a single gaming screen. Then there’s one more bit you’ll need to know for now, and it’s about tessellation. With PhysX effects you’ll now be able to enable enhancements including DirectX 11 tessellation. You can see the result of this new property in the image below, it showing Catwoman at rest in front of one of Batman: Arkham City’s tessellated environments

Detailed enough for you?

We can’t wait!

*BONUS from the original Arkham Asylum, here’s a bit of Scarecrow’s Nightmare. If you thought these graphics were fabulous, just you wait!

[via GeForce]

Hardware

Your $800 gets you Intel’s Core i5-2410M processor, normally running at 2.3GHz but capable of up to 2.9GHz with Intel’s Turbo Boost, and paired with 6GB of DDR3 1066MHz memory, NVIDIA GeForce GT520M graphics with 1GB of dedicated video memory, and a 640GB 5,400rpm hard-drive. There’s also WiFi b/g/n, an 8x DVD burner and Bluetooth 3.0+HS.

The display is a 15.6-inch panel running at 1366 x 768 and, like most notebooks around today with a decidedly glossy finish. Still, colors are impressive and the LED backlighting is even and bright. Above is a 1.3-megapixel webcam. Ports include three USB 2.0 and a separate USB 3.0 port, VGA, HDMI, audio in/out (supporting S/PDIF digital) and gigabit ethernet. There’s also a multi-format memory card slot.

It’s all wrapped up in an eye-catching metallic blue chassis, and while Acer has opted for somewhat blunt edges with its industrial design, it’s still reasonably compact for a 15-inch notebook. At 14.88 x 9.8 x 1.0/1.23 inches it’s not the slimmest notebook we’ve used, but given its class and price it’s still slim. The width allows Acer to fit in not only a full-sized keyboard but a separate numeric keypad, as well as give the arrow keys plenty of space rather than crowding them with function buttons. The touchpad, meanwhile, is reasonably large and recognizes multitouch gestures, though the buttons beneath were on the clicky side.

Software and Performance

Acer preloads Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit, and then goes crazy with apps and bloatware. First there are the in-house titles: Acer’s Backup tool, ePower and eRecovery Managers, Clear.fi music streaming, Crystal Eye webcam tool and Video Conference manager. Then come the third-party apps, and there are plenty of them: Office Starter 2010 and a preinstalled version of Office 2010 waiting for your product key, Adobe’s Flash Player 10.1 and Reader 9.1, eSobi, the Bing search bar, New York Times Reader, B&N’s Nook for PC ereading app, AUPEO, Norton’s Online Backup and a trial of McAfee’s Internet Security Suite, NTI’s Media Maker, WildTangent, Microsoft Silverlight, Skype and Windows Live Essentials 2011.

In all, there are more than 20 apps already waiting for you on the TimelineX, each with various levels of installation. We can appreciate Acer gets some kick-back – and probable helps subsidize the price of the notebook itself – thanks to those software deals, but as always it’s a poor first-impression of a new Windows PC. A cluster of “suggested apps” with shortcuts would be far preferable, and reduce the first-boot sluggishness which sours the initial experience of the Acer.

It’s a shame, because otherwise performance is strong. NVIDIA’s Optimus technology is used to intelligently and automatically switch between the integrated Sandy Bridge graphics and the dedicated GeForce GPU. We measured performance using Geekbench, a synthetic test of processor and memory, and the TimelineX AS5830TG-6402 scored 5251. Compared to a Core i5 Acer notebook using Intel’s 2010 CPUs, which managed 4814, that’s a fair jump, though the extra 2GB of memory in our newer review unit accounts for the bulk of the change.

Day to day tasks like playing Full HD video, doing graphics processing with Photoshop and browsing online across multiple tabs were a walk in the park for the TimelineX. The GeForce GT520M is also capable of some gaming, and we found the well-spaced keyboard lent itself to button-bashing during FPS gameplay.

Battery

Acer quotes up to 9hrs runtime from the standard 6-cell 6,000 mAh battery, though you’ll need to be doing practically nothing to actually eke that out. In reality, with heavy use kicking the GeForce GPU into action, we managed 2-3 hours, whereas more casual browsing over WiFi (for which the integrated graphics were sufficient) 6hrs was around the maximum.

Wrap-Up

Acer has made a few odd decisions and omissions in specifying the TimelineX AS5830TG-640. There’s no Blu-ray for a start, not even playback, which seems strange for a media notebook, and the 5,400rpm hard-drive is slower than we’d like to see. Still, on the flipside you get a discrete GPU and Bluetooth 3.0 as standard.

The TimelineX AS5830TG-640 may not be the fastest desktop replacement around, but as a combination of usable size – both of the decent display and well-proportioned keyboard – and portability it’s keenly priced. Acer’s motherlode of bloatware is an early blip, but get past that (with some judicious use of Windows 7′s Remove Programs dialog) and you’ve a solid notebook at an affordable price.

Unboxing Video

Gallery

The GTX 560 supports OpenGL 4.1 and 3D Vision, of course, as well as DirectX 11, PhysX and 2-way SLI. It has two dual-link DVI-I ports and a Mini HDMI 1.4a as standard, and can drive a display at up to 2560 x 1600 resolution. NVIDIA reckons it’s ideal for running – with two cards – 5670 x 1080 resolution ultra-wide games using NVIDIA Surround.

The first third-party NVIDIA GeForce GRX 560 cards are available now, from partners including Gigabyte, ASUS, MSI and PNY. The new drivers, meanwhile, can be downloaded from http://www.geforce.com/ today.

Press Release:

NVIDIA Introduces New GeForce GTX 560 GPU and Faster GeForce R275 Drivers

GTX 560 Is Perfect Companion for Upcoming Summer Blockbuster PC Games Featuring Support for NVIDIA PhysX, Surround, and 3D Vision Technologies

Click here for a video sneak peek at Duke Nukem Forever, Alice: Madness Returns, and RIFT, all running on the new GeForce GTX 560 GPU!

The new GeForce GTX 560 brings awesome performance and functionality to this summer’s hottest PC games.

SANTA CLARA, CA — (Marketwire) — 05/17/2011 — NVIDIA today introduced the GeForce® GTX® 560 GPU, the latest addition to the company’s Fermi architecture-based product family, which brings amazing performance and enhanced features such as NVIDIA® PhysX®, 3D Vision™, SLI® and Surround™ technologies to this summer’s hottest PC games.

Starting at $199 USD, the GeForce GTX 560 joins its big brother, the previously launched GTX 560 Ti GPU, in delivering an awesome gaming experience in its price class for games running at 1080p, the world’s most popular gaming resolution, according to Valve’s Steam Hardware and Software Survey(1).

NVIDIA today also released beta GeForce R275 drivers. They bring increased performance and enhanced functionality to a broad spectrum of PC games, including 3D Vision support to Duke Nukem Forever, PhysX support to Alice: Madness Returns, and Surround support to Dungeon Siege III.

Highlights of GeForce R275 Drivers:

Performance boost across a variety of games, including Crysis 2 (6%), Bulletstorm (15%), and Portal 2 (8%)(2)
NVIDIA Update technology now includes SLI profiles
Improved desktop scaling experience with new user interface and features
Improved resizing experience for HDTVs
More than 525 3D Vision gaming profiles, including new additions for Portal 2, Duke Nukem Forever, Age of Empires Online, Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood and Dungeon Siege III, among others
New 3D Vision Photo Viewer with Windowed Mode Support
Support for more than 65 3D Vision Ready displays, including desktop monitors, notebooks and projectors.
The GeForce GTX 560 GPU is available starting today from the world’s leading add-in card partners, including ASL, Asus, Colorful, ECS, EVGA, Gainward, Galaxy, Gigabyte, Innovision 3D, Jetway, Leadtek, MSI, Palit, Point of View, PNY, Sparkle, Zotac and others. GeForce R275 drivers are available directly from www.geforce.com or from the driver download page on nvidia.com.

For an in-depth look at the GTX 560, and to view a special video with footage from this summer’s hottest PC games of the year, please visit: http://www.geforce.com/#/News/articles/560-game-previews/.

One of the first to arrive will be ASUS’ Republic of Gamers Crosshair V Formula ‘board, which will allow for multi-GPU setups based on a several NVIDIA cards. NVIDIA claims that 93-percent of all multi-GPU systems rely on SLI, at least according to game distribution service Steam’s latest monthly stats, and so there’s obviously a market out there for AMD processor users keen to add a couple of GeForce cards to their PC.

Specifications of the ASUS RoG Crosshair V Formula are currently unknown, and in fact this is the first we’ve heard of the new model. The fourth-gen version was unveiled in April last year, and this new iteration will have support for AMD’s Bulldozer chips.

[via Expreview]

There’s also a 17.3-inch 1920 x 1080 display, up to 16GB of DDR3 memory (spread across four slots), a Blu-ray burner, and a choice of hybrid or SSD drives for storage. Connectivity includes HDMI, optical digital out, WiFi b/g/n and Bluetooth, along with 7.1-channel surround. You also get an optional TV tuner, USB 3.0 and eSATA.

As you might expect, none of this comes cheap. ORIGIN offer various custom paint finishes and designs, and the base model – with a 2.5GHz Core i5-2520 dual-core, 1.5GB GeForce GTX 460M graphics and 2GB of RAM - kicks off at $1,759. If you want the 4.5GHz overclocked Core i7-2920XM quadcore then it’s another $1,144 on top, while the GeForce GTX 484M is another $495. ORIGIN expects to start shipping the EON17-S from May 9.

Press Release:

ORIGIN EON17-S Laptops Overclocked up to 4.5GHz with Turbo Boost Available Now

The Highest Mobile Processor Clock Speed in the World

Miami, FL – April 25, 2011 – ORIGIN PC announced today the availability of overclocked processors in the EON17-S. Featuring 2nd generation INTEL “Sandybridge” processors and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 485M graphics cards, the laptops are the most powerful ORIGIN laptops available with mobile processors.

The EON17-S laptops have updated B3 stepping motherboards and feature overclocking and Turbo Boost technology allowing ORIGIN engineers to successfully increase the speed and power of the processor without impacting system stability or longevity. EON17-S laptops with overclocking are fully covered by ORIGIN’s unsurpassed warranty featuring free part replacement, free shipping, and free lifetime support.

EON17-S Features and Technology:
• 17.3 Full HD Widescreen, LED Backlit, 16.9, 1920 x 1080 (1080p)
• Customizable ORIGIN top cover
• 2nd Generation Intel Core i5 or i7 Processors
• Overclocking up to 4.5GHz with Turbo Boost on Core i7 Extreme Edition processors
• NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460M 1.5GB or GTX485M 2GB
• FOUR Memory Slots for up to 32GB Dual Channel DDR3 1333Mhz or 16GB Dual Channel DDR3 1600MHz
• Bluray burner & reader, Hybrid and SSD drive with RAID options
• Full size keyboard with numeric pad
• HDMI Out; Optical Digital Out, up to 7.1 HD Audio with THX TruStudio support
• Built-In 802.11n & Bluetooth Support
• Bluetooth 3.0 & Wireless Video options
• Built-In TVtuner support
• Built-in USB 3.0 & E-SATA ports
• (W)16.22″ x (D)10.87″ x (H)1.65″ – 1.79”
• 8.6 lbs with the battery

“The EON17-S laptops are remarkably portable and with 2nd generation Intel processors overclocked to 4.5GHz, they are the fastest ORIGIN laptops ever built on an Intel mobile platform” said Kevin Wasielewski ORIGIN CEO and co-founder.

ORIGIN systems feature a 1 to 3 year free shipping and free part replacement warranty backed with the best in class integration, quality testing and support. ORIGIN offers a free life-time phone and online service guarantee and each customer has a dedicated support team and free life-time labor for upgrade needs.

About ORIGIN:
ORIGIN builds custom, high-performance desktops and laptops for hardware enthusiasts, professionals, and gamers. ORIGIN PCs are hand built, tested, and serviced by knowledgeable gaming enthusiasts, industry veterans, and award winning system integrators. Their staff is comprised of award-winning, experienced experts in the gaming and PC markets who want to share their passion with other enthusiasts. ORIGIN is located in Miami, FL and ships worldwide. For more information, please visit www.ORIGINPC.com or call 1-877- ORIGIN-Ø. (674-4460)

As well as the integrated Intel HD Graphics there are NVIDIA’s GeForce GT440, GT435M and GT420 GPUs, which can be paired with up to 1.5TB of storage and a choice of hybrid analog/digital TV tuners. There’s also gigabit ethernet, WiFi b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, a 2-megapixel webcam and a Blu-ray reader/DVD burner.

Ports include eight USB 2.0 (though no USB 3.0), audio in/out, VGA (though no HDMI, DVI or DisplayPort) and PS/2, along with a memory card reader. The whole thing runs Windows 7, with various preloaded apps, but there’s also a Linpus Console Mode for quick-booting and getting online fast. The display runs at 1920 x 1080 resolution.

The Acer Aspire Z5761 will go on sale in early May, priced from £799 ($1,300).

Press Release:

New Acer Aspire Z5761: A touch of style and performance

London, 6th April 2011 – Acer introduces the new Acer Aspire Z5761: combining great performance, excellent entertainment and stylish modern design, this all-in-one desktop heralds next generation computing.

Thanks to the screen with multi-touch functionality, the Aspire Z5761 not only offers a dynamic user experience, but also delivers one of the easiest ways of interacting with your PC and integrating all your multimedia contents. Starting point for this smarter way to access the PC and the web, the Acer TouchPortal provides a truly hands-on experience bringing together a full suite of touch enhanced applications and gadgets for fun and entertainment:
TouchBrowser is a touch-friendly web browser designed for searching, retrieving and presenting information from the Internet.
TouchCam features handy touch controls to add fun video effects while chatting online, or do theme-style recording and share with friends on YouTube™.
TouchMusic, lets you browse, manage and play your favourite music.
TouchPhoto integrates photo management with photo sharing capabilities and is designed to interact with both local images and online albums.
TouchVideo includes video management and sharing features. It allows you to enjoy Blu-ray or DVD movies and home videos, as well as browse and share your videos to YouTube.

But the Acer TouchPortal is not the only way the Aspire Z5761 brings your digital life together. It also comes with Clear.fi, Acer’s new media sharing system based on the idea that it’s easier if all multimedia content is simply brought into a single system with a common interface. No matter where they are. Clear.fi is a cross-platform solution that works straight out of the box, automatically detecting the Clear.fi-enabled devices connected to the wireless home network, and then allowing all digital content stored on any of these to be shared seamlessly using the Clear.fi media interface.

Featuring a modern, minimalist design, the Aspire Z5761 easily fits into any décor, gracing any living or working space with a sophisticated look and feel. Sharp-cut geometric lines set off the combination of aluminum with matt and glossy black surfaces, creating a luxurious effect. Cool blue lighting placed above the integrated speakers lights up the keyboard. When not in use the keyboard can be nicely tucked away below the PC, enhancing the overall minimalist look as well as increasing the free area in front of the desktop. Inspired by modern art, the silver stand is designed with a window for organizing cables while keeping a simple, yet stylish design.

Performance-wise, this is an advanced PC, rich of cutting edge technologies engineered to convey an enhanced computing experience. Exploiting the 2nd generation Intel® Core™ processor family, that features Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2.0, capable of increasing perfomance in response to the most demanding tasks such as editing multimedia files, or playing fast-paced games, this desktop can deliver optimal speed enabling smoother multitasking and ensuring maximised entertainment and productivity. What’s more it combines turbo-charged computing power with energy efficiency.

Top-quality visual and audio components make the most of your entertainment. With a spacious 58.4 cm (23”) Full HD 1080p 16:9 display, fast 5ms response and powerful graphics solutions, you will catch even the tiniest details of your favourite movies, games, pictures, and digital TV thanks to ultra-sharp and colorful imagery. Captivating and immersive audio is brought about by an integrated 5W stereo speaker system and professionally tuned Dolby® Home Theater® v4.

With a Blu-ray Disc™ optical drive (optional), multi-in-one card reader, and TV-tuner (optional) these models bring together all facets of your digital life, from movies to games, from TV to pictures: an all-in-one design also in terms of entertainment.

Full connectivity is ensured by the most advanced wireless and wired technologies: 802.11b/g/n network connection, Gigabit LAN and optional built-in Bluetooth® 2.1. The built-in microphone and high definition webcam will help you keep in touch with friends and family through video chats and conference.

In terms of storage, up to 1.5TB of capacity offers plenty of space for all your digital archives. Up to 8GB of DDR3 memory ensure seamless running of the most demanding application, while a total of eight USB port supplies handy connection to all your peripherals.

The Aspire Z5761 will be available in early May with prices starting from £799 inc Vat

Video demo after the cut

In fact, despite having 1024 CUDA cores, 3GB of GDDR5 memory and 32 tessellation engines, the GeForce GTX 590 only musters 48dB; that’s enough, NVIDIA reckons for it to be the world’s quietest graphics card as well as being the fastest. To manage that, the pair of GeForce GTX 580 GPUs are clocked down to 607MHz and the memory to 3.4GHz, and dual vapor cooling chambers employed to keep temperatures low.

Four outputs are native, and there’s SLI support for pairing two cards together in the same system. NVIDIA GeForce GTX 590 cards from the usual suspects are expected to go on sale today, with prices around the $699 point.

[youtube MOCZF5IxY6I]

Press Release:

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 590 Is World’s Fastest Graphics Card

Innovative Dual GPU Design Is Also Dramatically Quieter Than Competitive Products

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 590 is the world’s fastest graphics card and the world’s quietest dual GPU card too!

NVIDIA engineered the GTX 590 to be the world’s quietest dual GPU product. It features a special cooling system and dual vapor chambers which deliver both astounding performance and acoustics. Measured with a standard decibel meter, the GTX 590 clocks in at 48dB, more than two times quieter than the closest competitive product under full graphics load.

Click here for a behind-the-scenes look at the GTX 590 in the NVIDIA labs.

To experience an interactive demo of the GTX 590, please click here.

The GeForce GTX 590 also incorporates a functional LED to let users know the operational state of the GTX 590 card.

SANTA CLARA, CA — (Marketwire) — 03/24/2011 — NVIDIA today introduced the GeForce® GTX® 590, the fastest dual graphics card available today which also happens to be the world’s quietest too. Powered by dual NVIDIA Fermi™-class GPUs on a single card, the GTX 590 is designed for über enthusiasts and those looking to build the ultimate PC gaming rig.

With a combined 1024 NVIDIA CUDA® architecture cores, 3GB of GDDR5 memory, 6 billion transistors and over 2200 individual components all packed into an 11 inch dual slot card, the GTX 590 delivers a staggering 32 tessellation engines that can power today’s cutting edge DX11 games at resolutions of 2560×1600 and higher. With four separate video outputs on each card, consumers can configure their PC with four independent displays, or they can span their gaming across 3 3D displays, at a resolution up to 5760×1080 for an intense, immersive, stereoscopic gaming experience utilizing NVIDIA 3D Vision™ Surround technology.

Like all NVIDIA “DX11 Done Right” GPUs, the GTX 590 delivers the world’s fastest performance for DX11 games(i). And with NVIDIA SLI® technology, the industry’s most scalable multi-GPU platform, gamers can increase their PC’s gaming performance by adding a second GeForce GTX 590, for an incredible Quad SLI gaming mode.

NVIDIA engineered the GTX 590 to be the world’s quietest dual GPU product. It features a special cooling system and dual vapor chambers which deliver both astounding performance and acoustics. Measured with a standard decibel meter, the GTX 590 clocks in at 48dB, more than two times quieter than the closest competitive product under full graphics load. To the human ear, this difference means the GTX 590 delivers a 3D gaming experience that is typical of a quiet library. In comparison, the competition’s product is more on par with a busy freeway.

“The GTX 590 is the best dual GPU product ever built,” said Drew Henry, general manager of GeForce GPU business at NVIDIA. “With leading performance, support for multi-monitor 3D gaming, Quad SLI, and an acoustic envelope that begs to be heard for how quiet it is, the GTX 590 epitomizes what a perfect dual graphics card looks, performs, and sounds like.”

With an estimated selling e-tail price starting at $699 USD, the GeForce GTX 590 is available starting today from the world’s leading add-in card partners, including Asus, EVGA, Gainward, Gigabyte, Inno3D, MSI, POV, Palit, and Zotac.

For more information on the new GeForce GTX 590, please visit: http://www.geforce.com/Hardware/GPUs/geforce-gtx-590/overview.

For an interactive demo of the new GeForce GTX 590, please visit:
http://www.geforce.com/Hardware/GPUs/geforce-gtx-590/productdemo.

To download GeForce GTX 590 product photographs, please visit the NVIDIA Flickr page located here: http://bit.ly/hZ2rpo.

What System Builders Are Saying About GeForce GTX 590:

CyberPower — US
“The tremendous graphics performance and improved acoustics combined with the wealth of NVIDIA technologies make the GeForce GTX 590 the card to get for gamers and enthusiasts. The latest flagship GTX 590 will be incorporated into CyberPower’s many award winning systems including the Fang EVO series, Black Pearl, and Gamer 3D series of gaming PCs.”
– Eric Cheung, CEO

Digital Storm — US
“The GeForce GTX 590 is the most impressive DirectX 11 graphics card NVIDIA has ever released. Amazingly quiet and incredibly powerful, it absolutely blew us away when we hooked it up to our 5760×1080 3D Vision Surround system.”
– Rajeev Kuruppu, Director of Product Development

Falcon Northwest — US
“The fact that the GTX 590 is the fastest card ever made doesn’t surprise me. We’ve come to expect that with each new release from NVIDIA. What floors me is the low noise level this card produces. At full speed it’s more than 10 decibels quieter than competing dual-GPU cards, which means it’s literally half as loud. The fastest card at half the noise — impressive!”
– Kelt Reeves, President and CEO

iBUYPOWER — US
“The GeForce GTX 590 is a surprisingly quiet for a card of its power. The combination performance and feature set make this video card hands down the best overall video card for gaming that we’ve ever seen.”
– Darren Su, Vice President

Inet — Sweden
“Our first impression of the card is how quiet and cool it is, but yet so extremely powerful. We couldn’t wait to try it in our monster PC, the Inet Taurus Überkill. The test results are brilliant and we can’t wait to get yet another card so we can run it in SLI. The GTX 590 is a quiet beast with no competition on the market!”
– Erik Wickman, Purchasing Manager

Maingear — US
“The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 590 graphics solution in our desktops offers THE ultimate gaming experience. The GTX 590 has it all: NVIDIA 3D Surround, dual GPUs, and dual custom vapor chambers to keep the card cool and quiet. Pair it up with the MAINGEAR SHIFT of F131 and you have a complete package to run any game at any setting no questions asked!”
– Wallace Santos, CEO and Founder

Origin PC — US
“ORIGIN is dedicated to providing the best NVIDIA GPUs to our customers and the GeForce GTX 590 certainly fits the bill. It is the fastest graphics card we have ever tested and stays amazingly quiet, even under full game load! For gamers, the timing of the GTX 590 is perfect. They can get our ORIGIN GENESIS, the GTX 590, Crysis 2, and a HD monitor and know they will be ready to have the best PC gaming experience possible.”
– Kevin Wasielewski, CEO and Co-Founder

Paradigit — Holland
“The GTX 590 is the single fastest card we’ve ever seen — on top of that, its low noise, power consumption and cool operation easily make it the must-have card of 2011! Order yours now to be ready for the next generation of games.”
– Jasper Driuf, Purchasing Manager

Scan — UK
“The GeForce GTX 590 is the ultimate high end graphics card that Scan Computers love! Ultimate performance, whisper quiet acoustics, menacing looks; it clearly has it all, and when coupled with an EK water block and Scan knowhow, the 3XS Scorpion-X PC is unleashed!”
– Elan Raja III, Director

V3 Gaming — US
“The new NVIDIA GeForce GTX 590 is a very well-designed product, evidenced by the superior performance and decreased noise and heat outputs when compared to the competition.”
– Thomas Gribble, Product Manager

Velocity Micro — US
“With the release of the GTX 590, NVIDIA has once again broken new ground in the ultra performance GPU space. Our initial testing has shown that a quieter, faster card than the GTX 590 simply doesn’t exist, which is sure to make it popular with our power-hungry customers. In short, the GTX 590 is remarkably quiet for such a powerful card.”
– Randy Copeland, President and CEO

Verkkokauppa — Finland
“NVIDIA GTX 590 is the most impressive piece of hardware I have seen in long time. Thanks to great cooling system design it has amazingly low noise level for the superior performance GTX 590 provides. This card will give the ultimate experience for every gaming enthusiast!”
– Johannes Pajunen, Product Manager

A PCI Express 2.0 card, the GTX 550 Ti supports HDMI 1.4a and Dual-Link DVI, with one of the former and two of the latter as standard. There’s also PhysX and SLI support for pairing multiple cards together in the same system.

As for performance, NVIDIA reckons the GeForce GTX 550 Ti will best the GTS 450 it effectively replaces, but it still falls well short of the GTX 560 Ti announced in January 2011. It will support up to 1680 x 1050 resolution, and we should be seeing the first examples from manufacturers shortly.

That puts the GeForce GTX 590 just two weeks away. The video card is expected to have dual GF110 GPUs, with a total of 1024 CUDA cores paired with 3GB of GDDR5 memory. Twin 8-pin power ports help the NVIDIA card gulp down its 375W TDP.

NVIDIA will no doubt be hoping to take AMD’s crown before it’s had a chance to settle on the HD 6990′s head, and the company could be using gaming to do that. March 22 is also the expected launch date for Crysis 2.

Paranoid perhaps, but the stakes in the graphics card market are apparently higher than ever. According to the sources, dramatically falling sales of entry-level video cards – the market for which has been consumed by new processors which bundle integrated graphics – has left only the mid- and high-tier markets to play for. While sales of high-performance video cards may not be comparatively high, they do grant a halo affect to a brand.

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 590 is expected to use dual GF110 GPU chips, paired with 3GB of GDDR memory. As for the AMD Radeon HD 6990, that’s believed to pair two APUs for a total of 3,840 stream processors.

That allows you to use the all-in-one as a standalone display, useful if you want some downtime with your PS3. There’s up to 1TB of HDD storage, up to 8GB of DDR3 memory and four USB ports – two each of USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 – along with WiFi b/g/n and Bluetooth 3.0+HS.

The “edge access” offers a trigger to the Media Gallery if you tap the VAIO logo in the corner, while other areas allow for navigation and zooming of documents and webpages, switching between on-screen windows, pulling up the on-screen keyboard or opening the user guide. No word on pricing, but the Sony VAIO L Series will go on sale from the end of March 2011.

Press Release:

A touch of brilliance: new VAIO L Series by Sony

All-in-one multimedia PC with 24” Full HD touch screen and “Edge Access”,
Blu-Ray Disc and one-touch web

Slim, space-saving desktop PC with large multi-touch screen
Control functions easily with innovative touch sensor in screen bezel
24” (61cm) Full HD VAIO Display Plus with LED backlight
HD web camera powered by “Exmor” for clearer video chat
Blu-ray Disc (selected models) and S-Force Front Surround 3D for thrilling entertainment
Use as Full HD monitor to enjoy PlayStation®3 and other connected devices, even when PC is switched off
Surf the Internet in seconds with one-touch WEB access

Everyone in the family can enjoy a beautiful view of their favourite videos, photos, games and more with the stylish new VAIO L series multimedia PC from Sony.

The all-in-one VAIO L Series makes an elegant focal point for your home multimedia collection. Ideal for any living space, the slim, space-saving design features a glossy black finish, with the tilt-adjustable ‘floating’ display resting on a sleek V-shape stand.

The stunning design of new VAIO L Series is accented by a 24” (61cm) Full HD VAIO Display Plus screen with LED backlight. This super-size display brings all your movies, photos, music and games vividly to life with superb clarity and contrast.

It’s beautifully easy to interact with your media collection using the full-frame multi-touch screen. Open and scroll through files, zoom and rotate images with intuitive fingertip gestures… and no mouse or menus needed.

In an exciting innovation by Sony, the LCD screen of VAIO L Series is surrounded by a touch sensitive new “Edge Access” that gives friendly ‘no mouse’ access to key functions.

Touching the VAIO logo in the top corner of the bezel launches Media Gallery – the intuitive way to browse and enjoy your collection of photos, videos and music. Other touch-sensitive regions of the bezel let you navigate or zoom documents and web pages, flick between on-screen windows, launch an on-screen ‘virtual’ keyboard or view a handy operation guide. There’s also an illuminated Sony logo on the bezel that dims at a touch for comfortable viewing in darkened rooms.

With the latest generation of speedy Intel® Core™ i7 or i5 processors inside, VAIO L Series provides all the power you need to manage today’s media collections. Latest NVIDIA® graphics with DX11 support assure an even more satisfying HD video experience with the new generation of PC games designed for multi-core processors.

Depending on configuration, a Blu-ray Disc™ writer lets you create, edit and store HD content with up to 50GB of storage on a single Blu-ray Disc. And whether you’re playing games or watching HD movies, S-Force Front Surround 3D complements your HD entertainment experience with powerful, ultra-realistic audio.

The integrated HD web camera powered by “Exmor” delivers a crisp, clear High Definition image. It’s ideal for more realistic, satisfying web chats and video calls.

With a touch of the handily-placed WEB button you’re powered up and online in seconds. There’s also an ASSIST button that launches VAIO Care software, troubleshooting problems and keeping your VAIO in top condition.

An HDMI output connects VAIO L Series to any HD Ready television to watch video, photos, graphics and games on your TV screen. There’s also an HDMI input that turns VAIO into a Full HD monitor, even when the PC’s not booted up. You’ll enjoy a superb view of PLAYSTATION®3 games and other connected HD sources, with incredible detail and contrast.

Wireless data transfers are accelerated by Bluetooth® 3.0, while SuperSpeed USB 3.0 boosts file transfer speeds by up to ten times compared with USB 2.0.

The all-in-one 24” VAIO L Series family multimedia PC by Sony is available from the end of March 2011.

The GeForce GTX 550 Ti will have two dual-link DVI-I ports and one mini HDMI port for display output. Its 110W thermal design power (TDP) is pretty much the same as the GeForce GTS 450’s 106W and will have the same sunflower cooler.

The GTX 550 Ti only comes with 1GB GDDR memory. The larger GeForce GTX 590 is a dual GF110 GPU solution and will have 3GB GDDR memory. No formal date was given on the GTX 590 but beta drivers indicate that it should be soon.

[Via VR Zone]

In fact, NVIDIA reckons the GeForce GTX 560 Ti is up to 46-percent faster than the significantly more expensive AMD Radeon HD 6950, something we can’t see their rivals being particularly pleased about. That’s at the core 822MHz clock speed, too; NVIDIA expects some manufacturers to overclock the GTX 560 Ti to 1GHz for even more performance.

There’s also 3D Vision and NVIDIA Surround support, PhysX, Realtime Ray Tracing and, as standard, a pair of Dual-Link DVI ports and a Mini DisplayPort output. The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560 Ti will start showing up in cards from ASUS, Gigabyte, MSI and more from today, priced at around $249.

Press Release:

The New NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560 Ti GPU Pwns the Gamer’s Sweet Spot

With 8 tessellation engines delivering a stunning amount of performance for today’s newest DX11 games, the GTX 560 Ti brings a new level of performance to PC gaming platforms, and well as super quiet acoustics and support for 3D Vision, PhysX, and SLI technologies, advanced features provided only by NVIDIA GeForce GTX GPUs.

SANTA CLARA, CA — (Marketwire) — 01/25/2011 — Last summer, NVIDIA astounded gamers with the introduction of the GeForce® GTX 460 GPU, which editors called “an incredible value”(i). Flash forward 5 months later, and NVIDIA is set to do it again with the immediate availability of the new GeForce GTX 560 Ti GPU. With average performance that is 33% faster(ii), overclocking headroom that is off the charts, and a performance per watt that puts competitive products to shame, the GeForce GTX 560 Ti is further proof as to why GeForce GTX GPUs are favored by PC gamers worldwide.

The GeForce GTX 560 Ti is the newest addition of the Company’s “Fermi” line of consumer GPUs that were designed to deliver stunning DirectX 11 (DX11) performance for PC gaming platforms. The GeForce GTX 560 Ti brings a new level of DX11 price/performance to the performance PC gaming market while maintaining super quiet acoustics and minimal power requirements.

Like all NVIDIA “DX11 Done Right” GPUs, the GTX 560 Ti delivers the world’s fastest performance for DX11 games in its class. When compared to the closest competitive product, the GTX 560 Ti is up to 65 percent faster(iii) in today’s newest DX11 tessellated games, and 30 percent faster(iv) in previous-generation DX9 and DX10 games. With a superior design that includes a default graphics core clocked to 822MHz, 8 tessellation engines and 384 CUDA cores that were architected for next-generation DX11 games, the GTX 560 Ti is even up to 46% faster(v) than the competition’s product offerings that cost upwards of 20% more!

“The GTX 560 Ti GPU has it all: awesome DX11 performance, terrific overclockability, and ultra quiet operation — attributes of the perfect performance GPU,” said Drew Henry, general manager of GeForce GPU business at NVIDIA. “With the GTX 560 Ti under the hood, and an awesome library of DX11 titles coming in the very short future, it is truly a great time to be a PC gamer!”

With full support for NVIDIA 3D Vision™ and NVIDIA Surround™ technologies, the GeForce GTX 560 Ti GPU also provides the graphics horsepower and video bandwidth needed to experience more than 500 games and high-definition Blu-ray movies in eye-popping stereoscopic 3D on a single display or spanning across three screens for an immersive gaming environment. And with NVIDIA SLI™ technology, the industry’s most scalable multi-GPU platform, gamers will be delighted by the sheer increase in gaming performance by adding a second GeForce GTX 560 Ti to their PC.

With an estimated selling e-tail price starting at $249 USD, the GTX 560 Ti is available starting today from the world’s leading add-in card partners, including ASL, ASUS, Colorful, ECS, EVGA, Gainward, Galaxy, Gigabyte, Innovision 3D, Jetway, Leadtek, MSI, Palit, Point of View, PNY, Sparkle, Zotac and others. At launch, there will be a wide assortment of GTX 560 Ti cards available, including those with stock clocks of 822MHz and others that are clocked much higher, including some at 1GHz.

For more information about the GTX 560 Ti, please visit www.geforce.com.

All the chips support PhysX, 3DTV Play, and 3D Vision, together with DirectX 11. Acer, Alienware, ASUS, Clevo, Dell, Fujitsu, Lenovo, Medion, MSI, Samsung and Toshiba have announced systems using the 500M series, and NVIDIA reckons there are over 200 in all already this year.

Press Release:

NVIDIA GeForce 500M Series GPUs Power Top Notebooks of 2011

Designed for the 2nd-Generation Intel Core Processor Family, New GPU Series Offers Category-Leading Performance and Features NVIDIA Optimus Technology

The GeForce GT 540M GPU brings DirectX 11 done right to the Asus N53SV notebook, with up to twice the DirectX 11 performance of competing GPUs.

The Fujitsu LifeBook S761 notebook delivers 2X the performance of integrated graphics and long battery with GeForce GT 520M GPUs and NVIDIA Optimus technology.

GeForce 500M Series of GPUs have the differentiated features that only GeForce GPUs offer, such as support for Optimus, CUDA, PhysX, 3D Vision, and 3D TV Play.

NVIDIA Optimus Technology featured in the Acer Aspire 4741G notebook has quickly established itself as a must have feature.

LAS VEGAS, NV — (Marketwire) — 01/05/2011 — CES 2011 — NVIDIA today announced the GeForce® 500M series of notebook graphics processing units (GPUs), designed to power laptops featuring next-generation Intel Core CPUs (Sandy Bridge).

GeForce 500M GPUs are expected to power some of the industry’s best notebooks in 2011. The GPUs feature category-leading performance in media-rich HD, 3D, Web, and Gaming applications, as well as enhanced battery life, courtesy of NVIDIA Optimus™ technology. NVIDIA Optimus technology enables extra long battery life by switching on and off the GPU so that it runs only when needed.

The new GPUs being introduced today include:

For performance users: GeForce GT 540M, GeForce GT 550M, and GeForce GT 555M with over four times the performance of integrated graphics and twice the DirectX 11 performance of the competition.
For mainstream users: GeForce GT 520M and GeForce GT 525M offering over twice the performance of integrated graphics.
Only NVIDIA GPUs support NVIDIA Optimus technology, which enables extra-long battery life by automatically switching on and off the GPU so that it runs only when needed. Introduced less than a year ago, NVIDIA Optimus is now designed into over 80% of 500M Series notebooks across leading OEMs.

“GeForce GT 500M GPUs combined with Optimus technology enable the most versatile laptops ever created,” said Rene Haas, general manager of notebook business at NVIDIA. “Pairing a great GPU with a strong CPU delivers Optimized notebook performance for consumers.”

Only NVIDIA GeForce 500M GPUs offer:

NVIDIA 3D Vision™ technology support for eye-popping immersive 3D environments
DirectX 11 support for the most visually stunning gaming experiences
PhysX™ physics engine support for experiencing games with realistic physics effects
CUDA™ architecture support for general purpose GPU computing applications
NVIDIA Verde™ notebook drivers for system stability and optimal performance
Support for NVIDIA 3DTV Play™ software for delivering 3D content from your PC to a 3D TV
Acer, Alienware, ASUS, Clevo, Dell, Fujitsu, Lenovo, Medion, MSI, Samsung, Toshiba and others announced GeForce 500M-based systems at CES this year, and represent a fraction of the over 200 design wins from leading notebook manufacturers for GeForce 500M GPUs. For more information on GeForce 500M Series GPUs, please visit www.nvidia.com.

There’s also 5.1-channel audio and optional 3D, along with a spare HDD bay as well as three open PCI Express x1 slots. Connectivity includes ten USB 2.0 ports (four on the top, six at the back), three audio jacks as well as mini HDMI, DVI and D-SUB ports, and a multi-format memory card reader. The distinctive black and orange case has a handle and an accessory tray on the top for charging up your PMP or digital camera.

A DVD burner rounds out the key specs. The Acer Aspire Predator AG3600-U4082 is available now, priced at $899.

Press Release:

Acer Arms New Platoon of Gamers With the Aspire Predator AG3600

Predator family now features three distinct models to suit a diverse gaming community; Latest boasts ergonomic chassis, NVIDIA graphics and Intel® Core™ i5 processing with prices starting at just $899

SAN JOSE, Calif., Jan. 6, 2011 – Acer America Corp. is gearing up another tier of gamers with the expansion of its Acer Aspire “Predator” Series desktop PCs. In response to the increase in casual and mainstream gaming, its new Aspire Predator AG3600 boasts powerful performance in a slick chassis at an affordable price of just $899. Offering solid gaming performance with Intel® Core™ i5 processing and NVIDIA® GeForce™ graphics, the AG3600 is an excellent choice for those wanting to enjoy the latest games, movies and other content without breaking the bank.

Acer recognizes that not all gamers are the same. From casual to advanced, Acer’s goal is to offer a machine to meet a variety of needs and budgets. In addition to the new AG3600, Acer offers the tricked out Aspire Predator AG7750 for competitive gaming fans and the Aspire Predator AG5900 for players seeking midrange performance and pricing.

“Online gaming is gaining momentum as the number of mainstream and casual users grows dramatically,” said Irene Chan, senior business manager of consumer desktops for Acer America. “In addition, media consumption and content creation is increasing along with demand for stylish and practical ergonomics. Our response to these trends is the Predator AG3600, which offers casual gamers and digital media enthusiasts excellent graphics in a practical design at a great price.”

Ergonomic, Aesthetic Appeal
The newest model in the Predator line, the Predator AG3600-U4082 boasts a contemporary look and feel. An attractive black chassis is accented with a bright orange strip and a striking vent design in the shape of the letter G for ‘gaming’. The ergonomic chassis has the top of the system angled 45 degrees with the power button, four USB ports as well as headphone and microphone jacks conveniently positioned on the top front for easy access. It also features a tray for charging and storing digital devices and provides tidy cable management via intuitive grooves enabling different sizes of cable to snap in between. Simplifying transport, the system comes with a handle.

Eye-Popping Graphics, 3D Ready
Discrete NVIDIA® GeForce™ GT 420 graphics give users a visually-charged boost to favorite applications. Digital media enthusiasts can edit photos and HD videos as well as push the limits of their Web experience with a new generation of GPU-accelerated browsers. Better yet, they’ll enjoy the next-generation gaming architecture built from the ground up for Microsoft DirectX® 11.

Thanks to the powerful graphics card, the Aspire Predator AG3600 is primed for dynamic 3D gaming. Gamers can add a 3D monitor and a 3D package encompassing high-tech wireless glasses and advanced software to transform PC games into an immersive 3D experience.

Multimedia Muscle
The Aspire Predator AG3600 features a whopping 8GB DDR3 SDRAM and an Intel® Core™ i5 2300 processor incorporating Intel’s new architecture, H67 chipset and Intel® Turbo Boost 2.0 Technology, which speeds up the processor when extra performance is needed. In addition to an optical drive for backing up data as well as playing DVD movies and games, the AG3600 has a huge 1.5TB(1) SATA hard drive. That’s a ton of storage for archiving games, movies and music. In addition, full support for Microsoft DirectX® 11 delivers rich visuals and high-def 5.1-channel audio infuses movies and games with dynamic sound.

This system is outfitted with a multi-in-one card reader for downloading photos, videos and other content from digital devices. Upgrades are made possible with an available hard disk drive bay as well as three open PCI Express x1 slots. There are ample connectivity options with 10 USB 2.0 ports (four on top, six in back), three audio jacks as well as mini HDMI, DVI and D-SUB ports.

Pricing, Availability and Warranty
The new Acer Aspire Predator AG3600 is available now at leading technology and electronic retailers and comes with a one year parts and labor limited warranty and toll-free technical support.(2) The Acer Aspire Predator AG3600-U4082 has a MSRP of $899.

Up to 8GB of RAM is supported on the new Intel H67 Express Chipset based machines, along with optional Blu-ray and either 1TB or 1.5TB HDDs as standard. The DX PCs get NVIDIA GeForce graphics or Intel HD Graphics 2000, while the FX6850-51 packs NVIDIA’s GeForce GT440 graphics card with 1.5GB of video memory.

Finally, there’s the SX small-form-factor PCs, with a range of new Intel and AMD processors to choose from, a compact chassis with a top-mounted bay for putting your phone while it’s charging, and HDMI connectivity for HTPC duties. It will also launch next week.

Pricing is expected to kick off at $999.99 for the FX6850-51, $599.99 to $749.99 for the new DX models, and from $499.99 to $549.99 for the SX2803-25e, SX2851-09e, SX2851-41 and the SX2851-41e.

Press Release:

GATEWAY UPDATES ITS DESKTOP PCs WITH POWERFUL NEW INTEL TECHNOLOGY, NVIDIA GRAPHICS AND NEW DESIGNS WITH SMART, USER- FRIENDLY FEATURES

IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 6, 2011 – Gateway today announced powerful new models and updated designs across its line of multimedia, high-performance and small-form factor desktop PCs.

Gateway’s line of FX high-performance and DX multimedia PCs now offer the 2nd generation Intel Core processors and Intel H67 Express Chipset, providing all the horsepower needed to fuel the most demanding CPU- and graphic-intensive applications. The FX line also sees the addition of the new NVIDIA GeForce GT440 graphics, providing an adrenaline shot of performance for intense and responsive, visually stunning graphics.

The 2nd generation Intel® Core™ i5 and i7 processors deliver a boost in performance automatically when needed, using Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2.0. They also include a rich set of new features for a stunning and seamless visual PC experience with no additional hardware required. Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology(2) enables each processor core to work on two tasks at the same time, delivering the smart multitasking performance you need to move between applications quickly and without hesitation.

“The new Intel Core processors deliver approximately a 20 percent overall performance gain, while their graphics subsystems deliver performance comparable to an entry level discrete graphics card. This allows our new models to process video and play Blu-ray better than ever,” said Irene Chan, senior business manager, consumer desktops, Gateway.

Featuring bold new designs, Gateway’s SX small form factor and DX Series of multimedia PCs now boast soft curves, glossy black finishes and internal side lighting, which provides a beautiful ambient glow that adds depth and character to the overall designs. In addition, the top front edge of the PCs are curved at a 45 degree angle, providing easy access to the digital media card reader and frequently used USB ports and headphone and microphone jacks.

In addition, the SX Series now features a “device deck,” a popular feature of the DX line. This small recessed area on top of the chassis is ideal for setting a camera, MP3 player or camcorder while using the USB ports to download media. An integrated rear compartment keeps the top of the PC clean and neat, and provides a way to store and hide excess wires.

“With the latest technologies and stylish new designs, Gateway offers a compelling range of PCs that are not only powerful, but easy and convenient to use,” said Chan.

FX Series – High-Performance Desktops for Intense Computing and Action Packed Entertainment
For anyone who requires killer performance for blazing through digital media applications or PC-based gaming, Gateway’s FX Series delivers exactly what the doctor ordered. The FX Series means the world of extreme gaming and turbo-charged fun isn’t limited to high-priced systems costing thousands of dollars. These high-performance PCs bring gaming into the mainstream price range, delivering the performance, graphics and audio necessary for those who want to experience their digital entertainment full throttle.

The newest model in the FX line is the FX6850-51, which offers the powerful second-generation Intel Core i7 2600 Processor, Intel H67 Express Chipset and NVIDIA’s new GeForce GT440 graphics card with 1.5GB of video memory. This high-performance model also includes 8GB of memory, a 1TB(1) hard drive and 16x DVD+/-R/RW SuperMulti Drive.

Other models in the FX line feature the Intel® Core™ i7-930 processor, up to 9GB of memory, 1TB or 1.5TB variable RPM green hard drives, and a choice of a Blu-ray drive, Blu-ray/DVD combo drive or a 16x DVD+/-R/RW SuperMulti Drive.

The FX6850-51 has an MSRP of $999.99. It will be available next week at select retailers throughout the U.S. Additional information can be found at http://www.gateway.com/systems/category/529598148.php.

DX Series — Compact Mini-Towers Big on Performance and Features
Gateway’s DX Series of multimedia PCs are entertainment powerhouses, delivering extreme performance and incredible system response. They are ideal for digital photography, video editing, graphic/content creation or watching streaming video.

In addition to its eye-catching yet simplified design, new technologies found in the DX line include the high-performance second-generation Intel Core i5 2300 Processor, Intel H67 Express Chipset, wireless capabilities, Blu-ray and an additional easily accessible hard drive expansion bay. Adding to the 1TB or 1.5TB green product SATA drives (depending on model), users can now expand their total storage by another 2TB, allowing for up to 3TB or 3.5TB of massive storage space.

All DX models also include top-of-the-line audio and visual entertainment features. Smooth video playback with extraordinary detail and film-quality game effects are achieved through NVIDIA GeForce graphics or Intel HD Graphics 2000. Theater-like sound is delivered through 5.1-channel high definition audio support.

New models in the DX line include the DX4350-43, DX4850-27e and DX4850-45. MSRPs range from $599.99 to $749.99. They will be available next week at select retailers throughout the U.S. Additional information can be found at http://www.gateway.com/systems/category/529598140.php?cmpid=sectnav_dxseries.

SX Series – Proving Good Things Come in Small Packages
Despite their tiny size, the SX Series packs a powerful punch, delivering the perfect set of features and technologies for use as a home theatre system or for every day use. The SX is unobtrusive when placed in a main living area or small bedroom or dorm room, and is perfect as a primary or secondary PC.

In addition to a new design option, the SX Series includes models with AMD or Intel processors, up to 6GB of memory, Intel or NVIDIA graphics and up to 1TB hard drives. They provide enough performance to handle productivity and entertainment applications with ease, such as playing movies, home video, displaying digital photos, or casual gaming. In addition, an HDMI port delivers highest quality visuals and high-fidelity audio through a single cable to a big screen TV or external LCD.

New models in the SX line include the SX2803-25e, SX2851-09e, SX2851-41 and the SX2851-41e. MSRPs range from $499.99 to $549.99. They will be available next week at select retailers throughout the U.S. Additional information can be found at http://www.gateway.com/systems/category/529598135.php.

Mainstream and SOHO laptops generally aren’t especially inspiring, but at least Lenovo has tried to differentiate the new V Series machines with slick aluminum casings and covers, and 21mm-thick chassis. The Lenovo IdeaPad V370, V470 and V570 hit the 13.3-, 14- and 15.6-inch screen sizes respectively (each running at 1366 x 768), paired with up to Intel Core i7 second-gen Sandy Bridge CPUs and up to 8GB of RAM.

There’s also up to 1TB of storage, WiFi b/g/n and Bluetooth, together with USB 2.0, HDMI and eSATA. A combo DVD burner and Blu-ray drive are paired with NVIDIA GeForce 315M 1GB graphics on the V370 and GeForce 525M 2GB graphics on the V470 and V570. However it’s possible to switch over to Intel’s integrated GPU to save battery life.

A fingerprint scanner, Lenovo Security Suite and RapidBoot for faster Windows 7 start-up round out the main specs. The Lenovo IdeaPad V Series will go on sale from April 2011, priced from $599.99.

Press Release:

Lenovo’s Newest and Most Stylish Laptops Offer Something for Everyone in the New Year

New IdeaPad Portfolio Features Eye Popping Colors, Sleek Designs, and Impressive Performance at Consumer-Friendly Prices

IdeaPad Y470 and Y570 with Enhanced Experience 2.0 Offer Sub-10 Second Boot Times1

CES 2011, Las Vegas – January 3, 2011: Lenovo (HKSE: 0992) (ADR: LNVGY) today unveiled an exciting new lineup of IdeaPad laptops at the 2011 International Consumer Electronics Show, including the world’s fastest booting Windows 7 PCs1 – the IdeaPad Y470 and Y570. The new IdeaPad laptops — including models in the Y Series, Z Series, S Series, V Series and Lenovo G and B Series — appeal to a broad range of consumers with stylish, modern design characteristics, such as brushed metal covers and raised textures, and the latest technology for enhanced performance and entertainment capabilities.
―We’re very excited about our latest lineup of IdeaPad laptops – they are the industry’s newest benchmark for consumer PC design,‖ said Dion Weisler, vice president, business operations, Lenovo. ―We’ve enriched our portfolio with wow features such as sub-10 second boot times and sleek new industrial designs that deliver higher performance and a more compelling experience for consumers.‖
IdeaPad Y570d, Y570, Y470— High Performance Mobile Entertainment –
Lenovo’s new IdeaPad Y560d, Y470 and Y570 laptops sport high-performance processors and are packed with innovative tools and features that make mobile entertainment more realistic, fun and intuitive.
The entire new Y Series all feature the new Lenovo Enhanced Experience 2.0 for Windows 7 standard, which enables users to start their PC on average 20 seconds faster than a typical Windows 7 computer thanks to Lenovo RapidBoot technology1. With optional Lenovo RapidDrive SSD technology, the new Y470 and Y570 laptops can boot in less than 10 seconds2, using an SSD and HDD storage to combine fast boot and application performance with affordable storage capacity.
Powered by the latest 2nd Generation Intel® CoreTM processors (up to i7) with Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 and up to NVIDIA® GT 550M 1GB switchable graphics, these new notebooks are optimized for an on-the-go multimedia experience. They feature OneKey® Theatre II, which automatically maximizes advanced audio-visual settings at a touch of a button and SRS Premium Sound with JBL designed speakers, which provide users with a richer audio experience.
Consumers looking for the ultimate in entertainment, look no further than the Y570d, which boasts Nividia’s 3D vision capabilities. With the flip of a switch, users can bring entertainment to life by putting on the included 3D glasses to enjoy movies, photos and games.
IdeaPad Z570, Z470, Z370— Fashionable Multimedia Laptops
Lenovo’s Z Series laptops are designed for consumers who desire a PC with features that can keep up with their exciting lifestyle. On the outside, the IdeaPad Z470 and Z370 sport a cool futuristic ID design with a transparent cover in a selection of pop colors including fuchsia, sky blue and dark brown. For a more minimalist look, consumers can choose the IdeaPad Z570, which offers a high-end luxury appearance with its Accutype chiclet keyboard encased in a modern hairline and metallic effect panel.
On the inside, the Z Series are powered by the new 2nd Generation Intel® CoreTM i7 processor with Intel l® Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 and feature Lenovo Enhanced Experience 2.0 for Windows 7, so users never have to miss a beat while enjoying multimedia. Movies and internet TV can be enjoyed on the new Z Series with its high-definition (HD), 16:9 format widescreen (available in 13.3, 14 and 15.6-inch models), optional Blu-ray DiscTM drive, and Dolby® Advanced Audio for a stunning audio experience.
Featuring OneKeyTM Theater II – one-touch audio-visual optimization for clearer, brighter images and richer audio and SRS® Premium SoundTM audio enhancement, the new Z Series is the fashionable choice for those seeking entertainment.
IdeaPad S100, S205— Stylish Internet Companion Packed with Surprises
Lenovo presents two new additions to their ultraportable laptop offerings, the IdeaPad S100 and IdeaPad S205. The IdeaPad S205 is an 11.6-inch mini laptop featuring an ultra-slim design for easy portability and a stylish AccuType chiclet keyboard – designed to make typing more comfortable on smaller notebooks. With optional integrated 3G connectivity and long battery life, the S205 is the perfect companion for browsing the web in the home or on the go. It also comes with DirectShare, which lets users sync their files with another computer without connecting to the Internet.
The successor to Lenovo’s popular S10-3 netbook is the new IdeaPad S100, which features a 10.1 inch slim backlit LED display and premium AccuType keyboard. Weighing less than 2.2 pounds, the S100 will be available in a wide range of colorful options such as red, fuchsia, sky blue and black making it a great entry level portable computing option for those on-the-go.
IdeaPad V570, V470 and V370— Work Smarter and Faster
Who said work can’t be fun? Look sharp at the office and relax at home with the IdeaPad V Series notebooks — V370, V470 and V570 – which feature a crisp professional, look with an aluminum casing and cover, and a thin 21mm design. Designed for both consumers or small office and home office (SOHO), the V Series boasts all new 2nd Generation Intel® CoreTM processors, helping users blaze through work tasks with speed and accuracy. To help get the day going quickly, the V Series also offers Lenovo Enhanced Experience 2.0 for Windows® 7 with Lenovo RapidBoot technology, which enables users to start their PC on average 20 seconds faster than a typical Windows 7 computer1.
To help guard what matters most on a laptop, the V Series feature robust integrated security tools to help preserve and protect users’ data. Security features include OneKeyTM Rescue System, for quick data backup and recovery and Lenovo Security Suite, a robust suite of security tools that will encrypt and protect users’ data from prying eyes. The V Series also comes with a Fingerprint Reader for bio- authentication using a finger as a password and a USB Port Locker to prevent unauthorized access to USB ports.
Lenovo G770, G570, G470, G575, G475 — Mainstream Affordable Notebooks
For consumers looking for the best value and essential mobile computing with the latest processor technology, Lenovo has expanded its G Series to include new 17-, 15- and 14-inch options. Sturdy, yet stylish, the G770, G570, G470, G575 and G475 laptops offer well-rounded features such as Lenovo Enhanced Experience 2.0 for Windows 7 with RapidBoot technology, which delivers faster start-up and shutdown and optimized multimedia; Energy Management, which protects the long-term life of the battery; and OneKey Rescue System, which makes it easy for users to backup and recover data.
Lenovo B570 and B470— Essential PCs for Work and Play
Lenovo also announced several new models within its essential brand of affordable home computers, including the B570 and B470 for SOHO. Lenovo’s essential family of laptop and desktop PCs are intended for consumers who want the latest technology, including multimedia and security features, for use at the office or while relaxing at home. The Lenovo B Series are affordable notebooks for business and fun and include features and technologies that will increase user’s personal productivity so they can spend more time doing the activities they love. The B570 and B470 feature up to a 2nd Generation Intel Core i5 processor with Intel Technology 2.0, up to Genuine Windows 7 Professional, and Lenovo Enhanced Experience for Windows 7 with Lenovo RapidBoot technology, which delivers faster start-up and shutdown and optimized multimedia.
Pricing and Availability
The new IdeaPad S Series laptops will be available beginning in March 2011 starting at $329.99. The new IdeaPad Y Series laptops will be available beginning in May 2011 starting at $899.99. The new Lenovo B Series laptops will be available beginning in April 2011 starting at $499.99.
The new Lenovo V Series laptops will be available beginning in April 2011 starting at $599.99.

NVIDIA will apparently launch its GeForce GTX 5x0M mobile GPU – based on the company’s upcoming GF114 chips – at CES 2011 in January, likely as the GTX 560M. According to Fudzilla‘s sources, the new GPU will have 384 shaders, together with 64 texture address units and 512 texture filtering units, and replace the GeForce GTX 460M (which has 336 shaders).

The notebook video chip has previously been referred to as the GTX 475, though it’s expected that NVIDIA will look to brand it in line with its GeForce GTX 560 range of desktop video GPUs. According to a NVIDIA press release from last week, 200 new products using GeForce GPUs and Intel Sandy Bridge processors are expected in the first half of 2011; however it’s unclear how many of those will use the new GTX 5×0 series chips rather than the existing GTX 4×0 range.

[via Expreview]

Compared to the AMD Radeon HD 5870, meanwhile, the GeForce GTX 580 is apparently up to 160-percent faster in titles involving tessellation. It shows its power in older titles, too; in previous-generation DX9 and DX10 games, the GeForce GTX 580 is faster by up to 62 percent NVIDIA claims.

It’s also meant to be quieter, with a new vapor chamber thermal solution, and churns through 2bn triangles per second. Cards from ASUS, Gigabyte and other NVIDIA partners go on sale today, priced at around $499.

Press Release:

NVIDIA Delivers World’s Fastest DX11 GPU… Again!

GeForce GTX 580 GPU Brings New Level of Geometric Realism to PC Gaming

The new NVIDIA GeForce GTX 580 is the world’s fastest DX11 GPU, delivering an astounding level of geometric realism to PC gaming.

The new GeForce GTX 580 has been reengineered from the transistor-level up to deliver an increase of up to 35 percent in performance per watt, and performance that is up to 30 percent faster than the original GeForce GTX 480.

NVIDIA’s Endless City harnesses the horsepower of the GeForce GTX 580′s incredible tessellation engines to procedurally generate urban detail never before possible in an interactive world. Sit back, relax and enjoy the view.

Tired of game characters that remain unchanged as they take damage and fall over dead looking as good as when they arrived? For your viewing pleasure we introduce the battle of ALIEN VS TRIANGLES where tessellation is used to transform and destroy an enemy using “multi-dimensional tessellation.”

SANTA CLARA, CA — (Marketwire) — 11/09/2010 — NVIDIA® today announced the latest consumer GPU based on the NVIDIA® Fermi architecture, the GeForce® GTX 580, which has been reengineered from the transistor-level up to deliver increased power efficiency and performance over previous generation products.

The GeForce GTX 580 GPU delivers the world’s fastest performance for DirectX 11 (DX11) games, and support for NVIDIA 3D Vision™, Surround, PhysX®, SLI® and CUDA™ technologies, further entrenching GeForce-based PCs as the most robust gaming platforms in the world. The combination of an innovative vapor chamber thermal solution and new architectural enhancements make the GTX 580 the fastest and quietest GPU in its class, delivering an increase of up to 35 percent in performance per watt(i), and performance that is up to 30 percent faster than the original GeForce GTX 480(ii).

For the most recent games that feature tessellation — the key feature of DX11 — the 512-core GeForce GTX 580 is up to 160 percent faster(iii) than the closest competitive product. Even in previous-generation DX9 and DX10 games, the GeForce GTX 580 is faster by up to 62 percent(iv), including in the blockbuster PC title StarCraft II.

“For Crysis 2, we’ll take advantage of what NVIDIA’s new GeForce GTX 580 GPUs bring,” said Cevat Yerli, president and CEO of Crytek. “A supersoldier that needs to save NYC from an alien invasion needs the best tech possible. That’s not only his Nanosuit, but also stunning DX11 geometric realism that a GPU like the GeForce GTX 580 can offer for our PC gamers.”

“At Epic, we’ve standardized on NVIDIA GeForce GPUs for Unreal Engine 3 development,” said Tim Sweeney, Founder, Epic Games. “The GTX 580 offers even more rendering and compute power than NVIDIA’s previous high end GeForce GPU but thanks to its new cooling system it’s also much more quiet. Whether you’re an engineer working with the Unreal Technology or a gamer who wants the ultimate Bulletstorm experience, the GTX 580 delivers.”

With full support for NVIDIA 3D Vision and NVIDIA Surround technologies, the GeForce GTX 580 GPU also provides the graphics horsepower and video bandwidth needed to experience games and high-definition Blu-ray movies in eye-popping stereoscopic 3D on a single display or spanning across three screens for an immersive gaming environment. And with NVIDIA SLI™ technology, the industry’s most scalable multi-GPU platform, gamers will be delighted by the sheer increase in gaming performance by adding a second or third GeForce GTX 580 to their PC.

The GeForce GTX 580 is available starting today from the world’s leading add-in card partners, including ASL, ASUS, Colorful, ECS, EVGA, Gainward, Galaxy, Gigabyte, Innovision 3D, Jetway, Leadtek, MSI, Palit, Point of View, PNY, Sparkle, Zotac and others.

Summary Highlights of New GeForce GTX 580 GPU:

512 cores and 16 PolyMorph engines deliver massive tessellation and compute firepower for games
Hard launch with immediate availability at an estimated SEP of $499 USD.
Up to 35 percent improvement in performance/watt efficiency
New vapor chamber thermal solution results in the quietest GPU in its class
New level of geometric realism — 2 billion triangles/second
Provides game developers total creative freedom to create cutting-edge DX11 games

Meanwhile it will also increase SFUs to 32, while texture units are expected to rise from 56 to 64.  Interestingly, the current GF104 has seven SMs, and there’s speculation that the new chip could in fact be exactly the same component only with a further SM unlocked now that NVIDIA need the extra boost of power.

That, ASUS say, is good enough to drive up to a 2560 x 1600 display from the DVI port.  The card PCB itself measures 6.3 x 2.8 inches, and ASUS throw in two brackets – one regular, one low-profile – to suit whatever case you’re using.

Finally there’s a special fan design which ASUS ambitiously describe as “dust proof” and reckon will extend the life of the card by up to 25-percent.  It’ll go on sale this week, price tba.

Press Release:

THE ASUS ENGT430/DI/1GD3 (LP) LOW PROFILE GRAPHICS CARD

“Ideal for the Home Theatre and Blu-ray 3D Entertainment”

ASUS has today announced the latest addition to its Fermi series of DirectX® 11 graphics cards with ENGT430/DI/1GD3 (LP).

Powered by the NVIDIA® GeForce® GT430 graphics processor, the ASUS-designed PCI-Express® 2.0 ENGT430/DI/1GD3 (LP) card is ideal for home theatre enthusiasts and casual gamers. Built using a specially designed low profile PCB (printed circuit board), the ASUS ENGT430 includes NVIDIA® PureVideo™ engine that accelerates even Blu-ray 3D media. Its use of the highest quality components, including ASUS Dust-Proof fan, GPU Guard, and Fuse Protection ensures that the ASUS ENGT430 remains stable and reliable for long-term use.

Product highlights:

· Perfect for home theatre PC with low profile design (low profile bracket is included) and watch latest movie titles in full 1080p 3D fidelity with Blu-ray 3D acceleration

· 25%* longer card lifespan with unique Dust-Proof fan

· Enhanced durability with GPU Guard that prevents cracking and fracturing, even increasing drop and shock damage resistance, and Fuse Protection that prevents overcurrent-related loss of performance.

* Subject to system configuration and usage. Results may vary.

Availability

The ASUS ENGT430/DI/1GD3 (LP) will be available from October 11th, 2010 from authorized ASUS resellers.

There’s also a dedicated video processing engine, which NVIDIA reckons will reduce heat output from the card; handy if you’re slotting it into a low-profile HTPC case.  There’s also PhysX support.

NVIDIA has signed up the usual cohort of video card manufacturers – including ASL, ASUS, Colorful, ECS, EVGA, Gainward, Galaxy, Gigabyte, Innovision 3D, Jetway, KFA2, Leadtek, MSI, Palit, Point of View, PNY, Sparkle and Zotac – to produce cards based on the GT 430.  We’ve already seen the Club 3D card yesterday.

Press Release:

New NVIDIA GeForce GT 430 Is the Perfect GPU for Digital Media PCs

Newest Addition to “Fermi” Family Provides Immense Performance and Unique 3D Features Not Offered by Integrated Graphics Solutions

The GeForce GT 430 GPU is the newest addition to the NVIDIA ‘Fermi’ Family, providing immense performance and unique 3D features not offered by integrated graphics solutions.

The GeForce GT 430 delivers unparalleled experiences in photo and video editing, Blu-ray 3D, as well as the next generation of GPU-accelerated Web browsers and Web content.

SANTA CLARA, CA — (Marketwire) — 10/11/2010 — NVIDIA today announced the latest addition to its Fermi class of graphics processing units (GPUs), the NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 430, which was specifically designed to provide the horsepower needed to power today’s digital media PCs and provide the high definition video and audio experiences that desktop customers demand.

The GeForce GT 430 utilizes the Company’s latest 40nm GPU, codenamed GF108, which is already designed into a variety of desktop and notebook platforms from the world’s leading OEMs, including Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, Lenovo, MSI, Samsung, Sony and others. For customers looking for a viable desktop upgrade from lowly integrated solutions, the GeForce GT 430 is a major step up, delivering unparalleled experiences in photo and video editing, Blu-ray 3D, as well as the next generation of GPU-accelerated Web browsers and Web content. And, when combined with NVIDIA 3D Vision™ technology and a compatible display, the GT430 is also the only GPU in its class that allows consumers to experience their digital content in full stereoscopic 3D.

Offering up to 1.5x the gaming performance of previous generation products, the GeForce GT 430 also adds support for DirectX 11 (DX11), the industry standard for game development. Most importantly, the GT 430 delivers unmatched out-of-the-box game compatibility(i) and playable frame rates in all of today’s top 30 games(ii), when compared to integrated graphics solutions.

Key features of the new GeForce GT 430 include:

Support for HDMI 1.4a, a TV standard for delivering 3D content and advanced multi-channel digital audio
Special video engine to accelerate Blu-ray 3D content, delivering optimal 3D visuals at a full 1080p resolution
High-definition 24-bit multi-channel audio up to 192KHz, and lossless DTS-HD Master Audio and Dolby TrueHD audio bit streaming
Dedicated video processing engine for reduced system power and heat
Support for NVIDIA PhysX® technology, the industry’s most comprehensive, cross-platform physics solution
Starting today, the GeForce GT 430 is available as an add-in card from the world’s leading suppliers, including ASL, ASUS, Colorful, ECS, EVGA, Gainward, Galaxy, Gigabyte, Innovision 3D, Jetway, KFA2, Leadtek, MSI, Palit, Point of View, PNY, Sparkle, Zotac and others.

Along with the standard DirectX 11 graphics card goodness and features, you also get NVIDIA’s 3D Vision support, as well as PhysX and CUDA support. The graphics card also features advanced tessellation. You will also have to take advantage of the DirectCU thermal design, as well as the Voltage Tweaking ability. You also get GPU guard, Fuse Protection, Dust Proof fan, and EMI shielding. All of these working together means you get the best frame rate, advanced cooling, and reliability when you overclock your system. The ENGTS450 starts at $139.99, and it’s available right now. Go ahead and read the full press release below for all the details.

Press Release

ASUS ENGTS450 Graphic Cards Deliver Innovative Design, Value,
and Outstanding 3D Performance
– The ENGTS450 DirectCU series of cards fuse award winning thermal design
and Voltage Tweak technologies –
Fremont, CA (September 13, 2010) – ASUS today announces the latest addition in its Fermi-based high-performance DirectX 11 graphics cards — the ENGTS450 DIRECTCU Series.

ASUS is excited to launch their ENGT450 graphics cards featuring NVIDIA’s latest GeForce 400 GPU design that delivers impressive DX11 graphics plus support for exciting technologies like NVIDIA 3D Vision, PhysX and CUDA and enhanced tessellation. The ASUS ENGTS450 DirectCU TOP lineup goes further than reference solutions with a focus on quality, reliability and performance. These facets are driven through features like DirectCU thermal design, Voltage Tweak overvolting and reliability features like GPU Guard, EMI Shield, Fuse Protection and a Dust Proof Fan Design. These innovative features ensure enhanced cooling, frame rate, reliability and allow for superior overclocking, continuing to show ASUS’ focus at providing the best performance and value for the budget gamer who does not want to sacrifice quality or performance.

Better Cooling with Copper — DirectCU Technology
Continuing to set the bar in graphics cooling designs, ASUS continues its use of its award winning DirectCU thermal heatsink and fan assembly design.

The ENGTS450 DirectCU performs 20% cooler and 35% quieter with DirectCU thermal technology as well as ensuring quiet and cool operation even when overclocked. The use of top quality components ensures that the ENGTS450 DirectCU Series stays stable during overclocking and durable for long-term use.

Pushing Boundaries Further with TOP selected GPUs
ASUS ENGTS450 DirectCU TOP/DI/1GD5 graphics cards continue with the award winning TOP design with sorted GPUs featuring factory overclocks for improved gaming and benchmarking. The ASUS ENGTS450 DirectCU TOP series feature Voltage Tweak technology that allows adjustment of voltages to the GPU for superior overclocking and higher frame rates. Voltage Tweak in unison with the award winning fan controls offered in Smart Doctor graphics utility allow for flexibility and safety when overclocking. These features can boost the core and memory clocks significantly for faster overall performance* in your games, applications, or benchmarks.
Elevating Gaming and Multimedia To A New Level Of Immersion
Dedicated gamers and media enthusiasts need look no further than the power of NVIDIA’s new GTS450 chipset in the ASUS ENGTS450 series of graphics cards. These cards open up new horizons of visual fidelity with native DirectX11 capabilities and resolutions up to 2560 x 1600. Finally, true high definition gaming comes to life in vivid detail with the added advantage of NVIDIA 3D Vision technology allowing for the most immersive gaming and cinema experience.

Product highlights:
The ASUS ENGTS450 DIRECTCU TOP/DI/1GD5 is TOP-selected and overclocked to perform at 925MHz, performing over 15% faster than reference solutions.
ASUS DirectCU thermal technology: Precision mounted twin DirectCU 8mm copper heatpipes are in direct contact with the GPU — creating faster heat dissipation and achieving 20%* cooler performance and 35%* quieter operation at 21dB* (idle mode) — barely audible, even in a quiet room.
ASUS Voltage Tweak technology allows the ENGTS450 DIRECTCU Series to overclock to the GPUs limits, potentially allowing frequencies near 1GHz. More impressive and more covenient, the bundled ASUS Smart Doctor utility alters the GPU voltage without requiring adjusted BIOS settings, or even reboot the PC. Gamers can achieve higher frame rates on-demand and without interrupting the on-screen action.
ASUS ENGTS450 DirectCU levels up overclocking stability with the unique POSCAP (Capacitor) to reduce power noise. In addition ASUS ENGTS450 Series pushes forward in hardware design using a more advanced 4-phase power (compared to reference 3-phase) to provide higher current flow and more stable voltage during tweaking.
The exclusive PCB stiffener and GPU Guard provide extra strong hold to enhance shockproof performance and prevent bending and cracking. Plus, the Fuse Protection and EMI shield deliver risk-free graphics performance.
*Subject to system configuration and usage.
Specifications, graphics card appearance and bundled software subject to change without notice. Please visit usa.asus.com for more details.

Availability
The ASUS ENGTS450 DIRECTCU Series are available immediately from authorized ASUS resellers. With an MSRP starting at $139.99, ASUS’ 400 series extends the spectrum of features, performance, and true Windows 7 optimization to new audiences.

More interesting, perhaps, is NVIDIA’s claim that the GeForce GTS 450 1GB is up to 65-percent faster than AMD’s ATI Radeon HD 5750 1GB, something we can’t imagine their arch rivals are happy about.  There’s also support for NVIDIA 3D Vision and SLI for multi-card setups.

ASL, ASUS, Colorful, ECS, EVGA, Gainward, Galaxy, Gigabyte, Innovision 3D, Jetway, KFA2, Leadtek, MSI, Palit, Point of View, PNY, Sparkle and Zotac are all launching GeForce GTS 450 cards, so you’re spoilt for choice if you’re in the mood for Fermi but aren’t feeling flush.

Press Release:

New NVIDIA GeForce GTS 450 Delivers DX11 Done Right to Even More PC Gamers

New GeForce GTS 450 Delivers 2.4X Geometry Processing Performance Over Previous Generation Products

‘The GeForce GTS 450 makes huge strides in expanding DX11 capability to the masses. Civilization V plays beautifully on the GTS 450 and looks even more amazing with 3D Vision technology.’

–Sid Meier, Director of Creative Development, Firaxis Games

‘We are excited about the GeForce GTS 450, which brings awesome performance to a very affordable price point. By delivering a great gaming experience mixed with some cutting-edge features such as support for 3D Vision, we are confident that fans of Dead Rising 2 will have a great platform to play on.’

–Shinsaku Ohara, Producer of Dead Rising 2, Capcom

SANTA CLARA, CA — (Marketwire) — 09/13/2010 — NVIDIA today announced the latest addition to its Fermi-class of graphics processing units (GPUs), the NVIDIA® GeForce® GTS 450 — which was designed to deliver the best DX11 price/performance in the $129 USD price category. According to the latest Steam survey, a leading indicator of the hardware used by PC gamers today, 56 percent(i) of gamers play at mainstream resolutions, typically between 1600×1050 and 1280×1024. The GTS 450 was specifically designed to excel at these resolutions, delivering awesome DX11 performance with 4X antialiasing turned on, enabling more gamers than ever before to experience incredibly detailed characters, terrain and game environments with blazing fast performance and awesome visuals.

For games and applications that feature tessellation — the key feature of DX11 — the GTS 450 is up to 65% faster than the closest competitive product(ii). Even in last generation DX9 and DX10 games, the GTS 450 is faster by over 30%(iii), including in the blockbuster PC title StarCraft II. This makes the GTS 450 a terrific GPU for playing this year’s hottest games including the upcoming holiday titles like Civilization V and Hawx2, both of which feature support for DX11 and tessellation, and other games, such as Dead Rising 2.

“The GeForce GTS 450 makes huge strides in expanding DX11 capability to the masses,” said Sid Meier, Director of Creative Development, Firaxis Games. “Civilization V plays beautifully on the GTS 450 and looks even more amazing with 3D Vision technology.”

“We are excited about the GeForce GTS 450, which brings awesome performance to a very affordable price point,” said Shinsaku Ohara, Producer of Dead Rising 2 at Capcom. “By delivering a great gaming experience mixed with some cutting-edge features such as support for 3D Vision, we are confident that fans of Dead Rising 2 will have a great platform to play on.”

With full support for NVIDIA 3D Vision™ technology, the GeForce GTS 450 also provides the graphics horsepower and video bandwidth needed to experience games and high definition Blu-ray movies in eye-popping stereoscopic 3D. And with NVIDIA SLI technology, the industry’s most scalable multi-GPU platform, gamers will be ecstatic to almost double their gaming performance by adding a second GTS 450 to their PC, when budget allows.

The GeForce GTS 450 is available starting today from the world’s leading add-in card partners, including ASL, ASUS, Colorful, ECS, EVGA, Gainward, Galaxy, Gigabyte, Innovision 3D, Jetway, KFA2, Leadtek, MSI, Palit, Point of View, PNY, Sparkle, Zotac and others.

The assumption is that the desktop cards will use variants of the GeForce 400M range of GPUs announced earlier this month, offering performance in excess of integrated graphics chipsets but not threatening NVIDIA’s more ambitious models.  As to when the GeForce GT 420 will see a lasting unveil, that remains to be seen.

[via The Tech Report]

First heard about back in March, NVIDIA’s GeForce GT 430 graphics card has been missing ever since. But, thanks to a new rumor floating around the Internet today, it seems that NVIDIA may indeed be getting ready to pull the curtain off their newest graphics card. Though, the specifications of the new card may be sub-par enough not to attract new eyes, but move them towards the other GeForce GT cards set to launch later this year as well.

Thanks to a new leak today, NVIDIA’s GeForce GT 430 graphics card is rumored to launch sooner than later. The specs look something like this: a 700MHz core clock speed — while the 128-bit memory speed has the card set at 900MHz. Unfortunately, one of the biggest questions, about whether or not this will be pre-packaged in PCs or a retail item has yet to be cleared up.

The card itself is PCI Express 2.0 x16. And while we wish we could tell you that the leak divulged a price for us, that’s not the case. Along wit the exact launch date, the price is a mystery. Though, considering the cards that NVIDIA already sells, these base graphics cards could easily be sold for somewhere around $100.

[via Electronista]

The dual 80mm fans and triple set of copper heatpipes – as well as all the cooling fins – certainly add up to a distinctive and thick video card.  It sounds like the reference boards will be getting larger, too; Onda apparently struggled to get their chosen ten SMD inductors to fit.

Memory is 1GB of Samsung GDDR5, and there are VGA, DVI and HDMI connectors to choose between.  This is still a prototype board, according to Onda, and as such will see some physical changes by the time it reaches the market (price and date unknown), but Expreview are still planning to put it through its paces in benchmarking; we’ll let you know as soon as that happens.

With a laptop like this, the spec sheet is king. Intel’s quadcore Core i7-820QM 1.733GHz processor takes center stage, paired with 4GB of Kingston DDR3 memory and a Seagate Momentus XT 500GB Hybrid hard-drive (that uses 4GB of onboard flash memory to speed up performance). Graphics are courtesy of NVIDIA’s GeForce GTX 480M with 2GB of discrete GDDR5 memory, and then there’s a Blu-ray burner, 17.3-inch 1920 x 1080 Full HD glossy display.

Connectivity includes gigabit ethernet, WiFi a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, a modem and HDMI, along with S/PDIF digital audio output and analog audio in/out. There’s also a USB 3.0 port, three USB 2.0 ports, eSATA, FireWire, DVI-I, an ExpressCard 54/34 slot and a multiformat memory card reader.

As for the chassis it’s all packed into, Clevo have sensibly avoided go-faster stripes and outlandish graphics. Instead the W880CU is relatively sober, dominated by the large 16:9 aspect display (with a 2-megapixel webcam above it) and a full-sized chiclet style keyboard. Build quality for the hefty 4kg machine is very high, surpassing Alienware machines in our opinion, with great keyboard spacing and a tactile, responsive multitouch trackpad. Clevo has squeezed in not only four speakers but a subwoofer, too.

First things first: performance. We kicked off with Geekbench, a synthetic test of processor and memory performance, and the Clevo W880CU scored a healthy 6490. That’s almost 200 points higher than Apple’s Core i7-620M dualcore MacBook Pro. We then turned to PCMark to put the 2D/3D graphics and multimedia performance of the W880CU through its paces. Overall, the Clevo score 6445 PCMarks, with stand-out categories being gaming (8453), productivity (7240) and music (6623).

It’s also worth remembering that the W880CU’s everyday performance will likely improve somewhat over time, thanks to the Seagate Momentus XT Hybrid hard-drive. As we found when we reviewed the Momentus XT a few weeks back, its so-called Adaptive Memory technology learns to prioritize commonly accessed programs and data, shifting them into its 4GB of flash memory for speedier recall. That’s the sort of thing that won’t show up in regular Geekbench testing, but will definitely be noticeable in everyday use; for instance, we found after a few reboot cycles in our Momentus XT Hybrid review, Windows 7 ended up booting in just half the time.

Clevo and AVADirect bill the W880CU as a gaming notebook, and unsurprisingly it’s a strong performer when it comes to the sort of modern titles most notebooks might blanch at. The NVIDIA GPU is easily capable of full-framerate play, and with the sort of hardware that a decent desktop wouldn’t be ashamed of – together with great keyboard action – the W880CU doesn’t disappoint.

As for multimedia performance, the W880CU’s Blu-ray drive and surround-sound speakers do a decent job. We saw no ghosting while watching high-definition action footage, and both viewing angles and brightness are impressive. Unfortunately sound doesn’t quite live up to the visuals, with audio being crisp but – despite the subwoofer – a little lacking on the low end. Still, given the space Clevo have to work with, it’s probably expecting too much for true home theater audio from a laptop.

It feels almost criminal to use the Clevo for everyday browsing and email duties, but of course it handles them without breaking a sweat. Windows 7 Home Premium’s HTPC functionality was also welcome, though the internal TV tuner card option wasn’t fitted to our review unit. The W880CU is supplied admirably bloatware-free, which is very welcome in a world where most Windows machines arrive overloaded with trials and demos.

The W880CU’s main shortcoming is its battery life, with Clevo estimating a mere 90 minutes of unplugged runtime with the NVIDIA GPU active. In practice, that estimate is pretty accurate with general use; if you’re trying to do any serious gaming then expect it to dip beneath 60 minutes. Really, this is a portable desktop replacement rather than a laptop in the traditional sense, something you can realistically move to another room or the nearest LAN party but not intended for gaming on the go.

Its likely audience is well aware of that, however, and prioritizes performance over battery longevity. They’ll probably also dip further into the customization options: as well as the TV tuner you can specify a second hard-drive with optional RAID setup, up to 8GB of DDR3 memory, CPUs up to Intel’s Core i7-940XM, and even what thermal compound is used. Altogether it’s relatively straightforward to come up with a machine that makes the $2,975.26 sticker price of our review unit look halfway to a bargain.

For most, the Clevo W880CU is overkill. Everyday tasks are just as easily performed on machines less than half the price, while the gaming experience can be ostensibly similar on significantly more affordable rivals. Nonetheless, with its combination of sturdy build, quietly confident styling and hardware not just sufficient for today’s breed of high-end games but titles around the corner too, we can’t help but find the W880CU appealing. Niche, certainly; expensive, undoubtedly; but the Clevo makes perhaps the strongest case to date for bypassing a traditional desktop PC.

Both the G51JX-3D and W860CU 3D have 15.6-inch HD displays and NVIDIA graphics cards – a GeForce GTS 360M 1GB on the ASUS and a GeForce GTX 285M 1GB on the Clevo – while the former gets up to 6GB of DDR3 memory and the latter up to 8GB.  The ASUS is outfitted with a Core i7-720QM processor as standard, but there’s more flexibility with the Clevo: that can have any of a range of Core i5 and i7 chips, together with optional SSDs.

Both systems come with a pair of 3D Vision glasses, and the Clevo can be custom painted (for a fee).  The ASUS G51JX-3D starts at around $1,600, while the Clevo W860CU 3D starts at around $1,800.

Press Release:

AVADirect Introduces Two New 3D Gaming Notebooks

AVADirect, a recognized leader in the computer industry, introduces two innovative 3D notebooks to its lineup of mobile platforms.

Just like the latest movies and televisions, notebooks are evolving from 2D to 3D. Powered by revolutionary NVIDIA® 3D Vision™ technology, hundreds of games, photos, movies, and websites can now be experienced in 3D today! Both the Clevo W860CU 3D and the ASUS G51JX-3D have all of the components necessary for 3D Vision™ integrated into a sleek, portable form factor. With the included pair of high-tech active shutter glasses, users can now experience crystal-clear 3D wherever and whenever they want.

The Clevo W860CU 3D 3D features a 15.6” HD display and blazing fast NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 285M with 1GB of GDDR5 memory. Users can choose from the latest Intel® core i5 and i7 mobile CPUs and customize nearly every other facet of their 3D notebook, including the addition solid state drives,custom paint, and up to 8GB’s of superfast 1333mhz DDR3 ram. Pricing for the new Clevo W860CU 3D starts around $1800.

The Asus G51JX-3D features a 15.6″ HD display and a super-capable GeForce® GTS 360M with 1GB of GDDR5 memory. This is coupled with an Intel® Core i7-720QM processor and a massive 6GB’s of DDR3 ram. Pricing for the Asus G51JX-3D starts around $1600.

Both notebooks come with all the components necessary for 3D Vision™, and are entirely compatible with 3D Vision™ Ready desktop monitors and projectors.

“Thanks to this impressive 3D technology, and our commitment to innovation, we are able to offer our customers the ultimate mobile 3D experience,” says Misha Troshin, CMO and Co-Owner of AVADirect.

There’s a little of the Lenovo in the Aspire X3400′s design, a solid black mini-tower (standing 10.5-inches high) with a minor splash of blue the only attempt to brighten things. Up front there’s a DVD burner, five USB 2.0 ports, a multi-format memory card reader and audio in/out; at the back there are a further four USB 2.0 ports, both HDMI and VGA, gigabit ethernet, audio in/out (with 5.1-channel support), an eSATA port, PS/2 ports for legacy keyboard and mouse (Acer’s supplied peripherals are both USB, and of reasonable quality if not anything outstanding) and of course power. Build quality is decent, with a pleasant mixture of gloss and matte black plastics.

Inside there’s a 2.9GHz AMD Athlon II X3 435 processor paired with 4GB of DDR3 memory and integrated NVIDIA GeForce 9200 graphics with a 500GB hard-drive, though no integrated Bluetooth and WiFi. Acer offer a 2.9GHz X4 635 processor and up to 1TB of storage as options, while the Aspire X3400 can handle up to 8GB of DDR3 memory. Of course, because of the small size there are no free drive bays inside: the optical drive takes up the 5.25-inch bay and the HDD occupies the 3.5-inch bay.

Software is Windows 7 Home Premium, complete with a basic array of Acer’s own applications. Probably of most interest to the HTPC aficionados likely to be eyeing the Aspire X3400 is the eRecovery Management app, which automatically makes backups of your multimedia store. There’s also the usual trial of Office Home & Student 2007 (together with a full copy of Works 8.5), a trial of McAfee, Google’s Toolbar and Nero 9 Essentials.

We benchmark tested the Acer Aspire X3400-U2012 using Geekbench, a synthetic test of processor and memory performance. It scored a reasonable 5,108, primarily thanks to a strong showing by the processor. In comparison, Gateway’s ZX6900 – which uses a 2.93GHz Intel Core i3-530 with 4GB of RAM – scored slightly higher, at 5,313. Acer’s own all-in-one, the Aspire Z5600, scored 5,475 with Intel’s 2.33GHz Core 2 Quad Q8200 and 4GB of RAM.

The Aspire X3400′s integrated GeForce 9200 graphics are certainly showing their age, and this isn’t the GPU for you if you’re hoping to do any serious gaming. While it may run titles like Crysis it’s at their very minimum settings, and you’ll still see dropped frames. Instead, think of the Aspire X3400 as a home multimedia PC, perfectly sized to slot under your TV, hook up via HDMI (with HDCP support) and act as a media player. On those terms its capabilities are far more adequate; Windows 7 Home Premium includes native media PC features, though you’ll need to add a USB TV tuner if you want to record/pause broadcast TV. It’s a shame Acer didn’t throw a remote control in the box (or at least wireless keyboard/mouse peripherals).

In use, the Acer runs reasonably quietly – there’s some fan noise which may be noticeable during quiet media playback, but nothing extreme – and shows little in the way of lag. We happily browsed several internet tabs with media playing in the background and the Aspire X3400 had no problem keeping up with us. Paired with a sizeable NAS it would certainly work well as an HTPC.

We’d like to see a bigger hard-drive as standard, and obviously the GPU falls short of anything a semi-serious gamer might be looking for, but considering the $459.99 MRSP there’s plenty to like about the Acer Aspire X3400-U2012. Solid – if not outstanding – performance together with an admirably small footprint and lashings of connectivity add up to a strong contender for your living room or home office.

Two cards are being announced, the GeForce GTX 460 768MB – expected to arrive from ASL, ASUS, Colorful, ECS, EVGA, Gainward, Galaxy, Gigabyte, Innovision 3D, Jetway, KFA2, Leadtek, MSI, Palit, Point of View, PNY, Sparkle and Zotac – together with the GeForce GTX 460 1GB, which will go on sale by July 26th 2010.  Both have 336 CUDA cores and 56 texture units; the GTX 460 768MB has a 192-bit memory interface, while the GTX 460 1GB has a 256-bit memory interface.

The graphics clock runs at 675MHz while the processor clock runs at 1,350MHz; there’s also a 1,800 memory clock, NVIDIA SLI support, and 3D Vision/3D Vision Surround support.  Standard ports include two Dual Link DVI and a mini HDMI (with an internal audio input for the latter, together with HDCP compliance), while maximum display resolution is 2,560 x 1,600.  They’re both dual-slot cards with a PCI-e 2.0 x16 interface.

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460 768MB should be available from today, with an MRSP of $199; the GeForce GTX 460 1GB will be roughly $229 when it arrives later this month.

Press Release:

DX11 Done Right! NVIDIA Delivers Monster Tessellation Performance to the $199 Sweet Spot for Gamers

New GeForce GTX 460 Delivers up to 4x Performance Over Competing Processors, Real-Time PhysX, and Eye-Popping 3D

‘Capcom has worked closely with NVIDIA on a number of PC titles and GeForce GPUs have always helped us to deliver the very best experience to users. The GeForce GTX 460 is a great card and its blazing performance helps our titles to shine.’ — Capcom / Jun Takeuchi / General Manager of R&D Strategic Planning Department

‘With the GeForce GTX 460, NVIDIA is really upping the ante with an amazingly fast DirectX 11 GPU available at a great, mainstream-friendly price. Its new hardware tessellation support will enable games to reach an entirely new caliber of graphics.’ — Epic Games / Tim Sweeney / Chairman, CEO and Technical Director

‘The Civilization V team is really excited about the high-end DirectX 11 performance at a mainstream price point that the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460 delivers. The 460′s support for DX11 features such as tessellation and compute shaders allow Civilization V to run faster while looking better than ever.’ — Firaxis Games / Dan Baker / Graphics Lead on Civilization V

‘We’ve got a great working relationship with the NVIDIA engineers. It has enabled us to add amazing new visual effects like native 3D, 3D Vision Surround, and PhysX/APEX support in Mafia II. With the new GeForce GTX 460, Empire Bay comes to life, immersing players like never before!’ –2K Games / Denby Grace / Senior Producer of Mafia II

‘NVIDIA platforms continue to be the Gold Standard at Id Software for quality, performance, and support.’ — Id Software / John Carmack / Technical Director

‘Great performance at a great price — what’s not to love? With full support for PhysX and 3D Vision, the GeForce GTX 460 is a great GPU to use for UDK development and UE3-based games.’ — Epic Games / Mark Rein / Vice President

‘Kings and Castles will look spectacular on the GeForce GTX 460. Imagine how full-scale battles with hundreds of soldiers, dragons, and flying zeppelin battleships will look in fantastic 3D!’ — Gas Powered Games / Chris Taylor / Founder & CEO

The new NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460 GPU delivers awesome DX11 performance and support for PhysX and 3D Vision to the $200 sweet spot gamers love.

SANTA CLARA, CA — (Marketwire) — 07/11/2010 — NVIDIA today announced the latest addition to its Fermi-class of graphics processing units (GPUs), the NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 460 — which delivers a great DX11 gaming experience and is priced right at the market’s $199 sweet spot.

Built from the ground up for DirectX 11 tessellation, GeForce GTX 460 GPUs deliver monster tessellation performance with up to 4x tessellation performance(i) over competing GPUs. The GTX 460 brings the ultimate next-generation DX11 gaming experience to a new price segment, enabling more gamers than ever to experience incredibly detailed characters, terrain and game environments with blazing fast performance and awesome visuals.

With full support for NVIDIA 3D Vision™ technology, the GeForce GTX 460 provides the graphics horsepower and video bandwidth needed to experience games and high definition Blu-ray movies in eye-popping stereoscopic 3D.

Here’s what leading game developers have to say about the GeForce GTX 460:

“With the GeForce GTX 460, NVIDIA is really upping the ante with an amazingly fast DirectX 11 GPU available at a great, mainstream-friendly price. Its new hardware tessellation support will enable games to reach an entirely new caliber of graphics.”
– Epic Games / Tim Sweeney / Chairman, CEO and Technical Director

“NVIDIA platforms continue to be the Gold Standard at Id Software for quality, performance, and support.”
– Id Software / John Carmack / Technical Director

“We’ve got a great working relationship with the NVIDIA engineers. It has enabled us to add amazing new visual effects like native 3D, 3D Vision Surround, and PhysX/APEX support in Mafia II. With the new GeForce GTX 460, Empire Bay comes to life, immersing players like never before!”
–2K Games / Denby Grace / Senior Producer of Mafia II

“The Civilization V team is really excited about the high-end DirectX 11 performance at a mainstream price point that the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460 delivers. The 460′s support for DX11 features such as tessellation and compute shaders allow Civilization V to run faster while looking better than ever.”
– Firaxis Games / Dan Baker / Graphics Lead on Civilization V

“Great performance at a great price — what’s not to love? With full support for PhysX and 3D Vision, the GeForce GTX 460 is a great GPU to use for UDK development and UE3-based games.”
– Epic Games / Mark Rein / Vice President

“Capcom has worked closely with NVIDIA on a number of PC titles and GeForce GPUs have always helped us to deliver the very best experience to users. The GeForce GTX 460 is a great card and its blazing performance helps our titles to shine.”
– Capcom / Jun Takeuchi / General Manager of R&D Strategic Planning Department

“Kings and Castles will look spectacular on the GeForce GTX 460. Imagine how full-scale battles with hundreds of soldiers, dragons, and flying zeppelin battleships will look in fantastic 3D!”
– Gas Powered Games / Chris Taylor / Founder & CEO

With 336 NVIDIA CUDA™ cores and 56 texture units, the GeForce GTX 460 comes in two flavors:

GTX 460 768MB, with a 192-bit memory interface at an estimated U.S. price of $199
GTX 460 1GB, with a 256-bit memory interface at an estimated US price of $229
The GeForce GTX 460 768MB version is available starting today from the world’s leading add-in card partners, including ASL, ASUS, Colorful, ECS, EVGA, Gainward, Galaxy, Gigabyte, Innovision 3D, Jetway, KFA2, Leadtek, MSI, Palit, Point of View, PNY, Sparkle, Zotac and others. Wider availability of the GeForce GTX 460 1GB is expected by July 26, 2010. Consumers are encouraged to check their favorite retailer or e-tailer for availability.

There’s also a huge range of storage choices, from a measly 160GB HDD through to triple-bay HDD/SSDs in optional RAID configurations.  Other options include Blu-ray burners, Bluetooth (to go along with the WiFi a/b/g/n), various sound cards and TV tuners, while a 3-megapixel webcam and four built-in speakers are standard.

Connectivity includes S-Video, DVI, VGA, FireWire, USB 2.0 and audio in/out, and you can even have the D900F painted in various custom colors.  A maxed-out Clevo D900F could easily set you back several thousand dollars, so choose your options wisely.

“The GTX 470 is really important for us from a product perspective. It’s basically our best price-performance product in the enthusiast line, so we have absolutely no plans of discontinuing that. Actually we are enhancing that part of the product line over the next month or so … We feel that there’s some room below [the GTX 470 and GTX 480] for a reasonably priced version of our GF100 [GPU]” NVIDIA

That GF100-based card is likely to be the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 465, which leaked earlier this month and was found in benchmarking to come in underneath the GTX 470 and 480 in terms of stream processors and RAM.  The new card is expected to arrive on June 2nd.

There’s also NVIDIA 3D Vision for 3D gaming, PhysX technology for improved physics modelling in games, and the company’s Verde drivers system.  It’s also possible to combine a pair of the GTX 480M GPUs in SLI configuration.

As for real-world results, NVIDIA say the GTX 480M will transcode video ten times faster than rivals.  There are 352 CUDA cores, a 425MHz graphics clock and 850MHz processor clock, capable of 897 CUDA gigaflops, 76.8 GB/sec memory bandwidth and an 18.7 bn/sec texture fill rate.  Clevo will be offering the first notebook to use the GPU, though they’re likely to be the first of many.

As for the reasoning behind the move – which is still unconfirmed by NVIDIA themselves – there are two main avenues of speculation.  First, is that the company are using the GTX 470 production for the new GeForce GTX 465, a mid-range card based on the same GF100 GPU only with fewer enabled stream processors.

Secondly, there’s talk of a new GeForce GTX 490, a dual-GPU 375W card.  This new model could use a pair of the GTX 470 cores, it’s suggested, with the overall effect being a reduction in potential overcrowding in the $300 to $350 price bracket.

[via The Tech Report]

The previous MacBook had a 2.26GHz Core 2 Duo processor and used NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics.  Otherwise the specifications are the same, which means you get WiFi a/b/g/n and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR as standard, together with gigabit ethernet, a DVD burner, Mini DisplayPort, two USB 2.0 ports and audio in/out.

Options include up to 4GB of DDR3 memory and up to a 500GB 5,400rpm HDD (250GB is standard), priced at $100 and $150 respectively.  The new notebook ships within 24hrs.

There’s also a 256-bit memory interface, while clock speeds 607MHz for the GPU, 1,215MHz for the shaders and an effective 3,206MHz for the GDDR5 RAM.  In contrast, the GeForce GTX 470 launched earlier this year has 4480 stream processors, 1,280MB of memory and a 320-bit interface, along with a faster memory clock speed.

They’ve also been benchmarking the leaked card, pitting it against ATI’s Radeon HD 5830 and HD 5870.  The GeForce GTX 465 apparently was faster than the HD 5870 in Far Cry 2, “significantly” slower than the HD 5830 in Crysis Warhead, and fell in-between the two in the Heaven benchmarks.

Price is tipped at around $300 and the new card is expected to launch at Computex.

[via The Tech Report]