All Components - Hard Drives

Posted by Computer Components For You | All Components, Hard Drives | Tuesday 31 August 2010 8:00 am

Western Digital Caviar Green 500GB 3.5Almost everything is done with the help of the computer nowadays. As technology evolves, the need for more reliable and efficient computers and computer parts and accessories arises. With the advent of HD videos and other soft ware and applications, one would need to have a hard disk that is capable of storing large files such as MP3s, videos, presentations, and even games.

The Western Digital Caviar Green Hard Drive suits the needs of people who requires big storage but do not want to spend so much on a hard drive. Depending on the format, features, file size, and other factors, this hard drive is capable of storing over 125,000 digital photos, up to 160,000 MP3 files, up to 16,000 of uncompressed CD quality songs, over 45 hours of digital videos, 240 hours of videos that are DVD quality, and up to 70 hours of high definition videos. Although these factors are dependent on the operating conditions, the capacity of the Western Digital Caviar Green Hard Drive is at par with other high end hard disks and is available for a much lower cost.

The green power technology allows for lower energy consumption. A typical hard drive can have a power consumption of 13.5 watts in general. The green power technology gives a savings of 4-5 watts in a standard desktop while maintaining stellar performance. The power savings translates to the reduction of the carbon footprint to an equivalent of not using your car for 3 days in a year – enabling eco friendly computers and helping in efforts to maintain environmental sustainability. Savings may be minimal in small scale consumption such as homes but industries and businesses that use multiple computers can greatly benefit the lower electricity costs.

Another feature that makes this hard drive attractive to consumers is the cool and quiet operation which is ideal for applications that requires very little or no noise.

Posted by Computer Components For You | All Components, CPU's | Thursday 26 August 2010 8:00 am

Intel Core i3-530 2.93GHz LGA 1156 73W Dual-Core Desktop ProcessorThis processor is one of the newest from Intel. This was launched just recently in January 2010 as the first level of a new processor family to succeed the Core 2 brand. This is the Nehalem Micro architecture-based processors, with the two others being the Core i7 and Core i5.

Intel core i3 is a 32nm dual-core processor which enables multitasking. Each independent core is capable of completing two tasks at the same time, running on core speeds of 2.93 GHz and 3.06 GHz. Simultaneous run of multiple applications is made possible by its Intel Hyper-Threading Technology. It has four processing threads, two lines for each physical core, which ensure fast and efficient traffic of command signals to the cores.

Visual delivery is made excellent with the Intel HD Graphics video engine which delivers high-quality graphics and smooth, high-definition videos with sharp figures, clear color and audible audio output.

Other specifications and features of the core i3 are:

  • 4 MB Intel Smart Cache
  • A double channel with DDR3 1333 MHz memory each
  • Clock speed of 2.13 GHz
  • Graphics core frequency of 788 MHz
  • Maximum memory size of 8 GB
  • Maximum memory bandwidth of 17.1 GB per second
  • Intel 5 series Express Chipset
  • Contains an Integrated Memory Controller, thus the high memory bandwidth
  • Contains Intel Virtualization Technology which limits downtime and maintains worker productivity
  • Contains a Thermal Solution designed by Intel, which is a fan speed control technology that maintains thermal levels in boxed processors, keeping the CPU unit at cooler temperatures. At the same time, it also minimizes acoustic noise for a quieter computer operation.

This core processor also goes by the code name “Clarkdale” for desktop computers, and “Arrandale” for laptop computers. This processor is ideal for home and office desktop computers.

Posted by Computer Components For You | All Components, Motherboards | Thursday 19 August 2010 8:00 am

ASUS P6X58D-E ATX Intel MotherboardThis motherboard, from ASUS, is another great example of cutting-edge motherboard architecture. It mates, flawlessly, an i7 Extreme Socket with 6 x SATA 3 gig ports and 2 for the Marvell PCI’s. Very welcome are the 3.0 USB ports, along with legacy 2.0’s, and the traditional Marvell G/bit LAN controller. Without going into the deeper technical aspects of it, I simply love the six DDR3 slots—lending three dedicated channels for memory.

Cost is what makes this motherboard really stand out. While a few of the nit-pickers will always scream about lacking a thing or two, this motherboard—with this price—is basically comparable to a Mercedes-Benz that costs $20k. How many products exist, that you know of, that can honestly live up to an analogy like that? At £169.40, it’s about as good as it gets.

For getting the most bang for your buck, this is a pretty sweet deal. Entering the more analytical piece of this review, however, there are a couple things that have to be considered—in fairness to objectiveness. This Express model, in contrast with the premium model, has a few missing articles—but for the price, they’re mostly overlookable. Here’s the breakdown of the not-so glamorous:

  • Blue or white SATA cords aren’t included, which would only make finding your way around the myriad of cables easier

  • The chipset’s heat pipe and the larger heatsinks that are not linked to the processor are lacking a superior cooling solution for hardcore gamers

With those two pet-peeves out of the way, all-in-all, this is more than a viable solution to even a hardcore gaming enthusiast. Sure, you can ramble on about a few missing features and accessories, but the price—I’m more than confident that ASUS only receives a bare profit margin off of something like this as it is. So, I give it a 97 in terms of the outstanding value you get.

Posted by Computer Components For You | All Components, Cooling | Tuesday 17 August 2010 8:00 am

Finally a Fan That Saves You Time and Money

With a fan speed of 3500 RPM and a brand name such as G.Skill, you can’t go wrong with G.SKILL’s FTB-3500C6-S Fans, powerful enough to keep all your heat worries away and providing you with a seamless computing experience. At a mere power consumption of 1.92W, it saves you money on your electric bills too; what’s more, it only requires a voltage of 7 to 12 V to run efficiently. The design is really trendy too to make it the center of all envy and attention. If you’re looking for single fans to handle your computer’s heating needs, these compact and handy FTB-3500C6-S Fans by G.Skill make the perfect addition to your existing computing equipment and increases life and efficiency of your delicate computing gear.

G.Skill – A Brand You Can Trust

G.SKILL FTB-3500C6-S Fans

The design is great; the operation is surprisingly quiet and noise-free; and it is extremely easy to install and/or replace to meet your changing needs over time. What’s more, you get blue LEDs with these fans to add to the existing flair of their sleek and trendy design; their finish is sturdy and robust too, making them excellent choices for tackling any of your cooling needs. The fans come standard with three pin plugs, so they are able to operate on all three pin and four pin fan connectors. And if you ever come across any troubles, which we doubt you would, just give G.Skill customer care department a buzz, and they will answer all your questions and take care of all your troubleshooting needs, if you should face them.

G.Skill provides a one year warranty and timely customer service to all its customers. No matter if your product was bought for $10 or $100, G.Skill has the service and support you need, so buy this fan now and see how your computer room turns from a heat generator to a cooling room; your computer could not possible ask for more; next time you are in the market for fans, you’ll know what to buy and where to look for them!

Posted by Computer Components For You | All Components, CPU's | Sunday 15 August 2010 8:00 am

Intel Core i7-860 2.8GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core ProcessorThe Intel Core i7 Processors are the fastest in comparison with the other two families, Core i5 and Core i3, in the Core brand of processors. They are manufactured using Nehalem Micro Architecture and targeted for the business and high-end users in the market, although, the excellent graphics display, memory and processing capacity of the Core i7 processors also make them the most ideal desktop computers for home use. It has a multi-core technology that ensures a very fast processing speed for multitasking computer work.

Its features, some of which are similar to the i5 and i3 Core series, are combined to give the best and fastest computing services for users.

  1. 32 nm quadcore processors
  2. Core speeds of 2.66 GHz, 2.93 GHz and 3.06 GHz
  3. Processor frequency of 2.66 GHz (i7-920 processor) and 3.06 GHz (i7-950 processor)
  4. Intel Turbo Boost Technology increases processing frequency where needed
  5. Intel Hyper-Threading Technology with 8 processing threads, 2 of them leading to each of the 4 cores. This multiple threading enables faster completion of tasks, even if done simultaneously.
  6. Integrated Memory Controller
  7. 8 MB Smart Cache shared by the four cores provides a large memory for data storage and management applications
  8. Intel HD Boost which has the SSE4 Instruction Set that enables easy and fast use of multimedia applications
  9. Intel QPI (Quickpath Interconnect) increases bandwidth for faster transfers of data up to speeds of 25 GB per second. This feature is present in the i7-900 series.
  10. Microsoft Windows 7 – ready

The Intel Core i7 was first introduced with quad-core processors, first in 2008 with the Bloomfield processors, and later in 2009 with the Lynnfield processor for desktops and Clarksfield for mobile processors. A dual-core Arrandale mobile processor is also available. The most advanced was launched on March 2010, the six-core Gulftown processor, which is the Extreme Edition of the Intel Core i7.

Posted by Computer Components For You | All Components, Cases | Thursday 12 August 2010 8:00 am

Antec Three Hundred Black Computer CaseAntec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case Gives You Powerful Cooling Power, Quality, Flexibility and Low Cost

The Antec Three Hundred is the best casing for dedicated gamers who want lot of ventilation in their system and need to install multiple drives in their pc to house all the 3D computer games and multimedia gadgets they play

The front of the casing is perforated. This is to increase the flow of air within the computer. It has the standard pair of USB ports and jacks for audio and video equipment. A filter is located just behind the front cover to catch dust coming in through the holes. The filter is washable, easily removed and just as easily installed.

The casing has nine racks for hard drives in all. Six of these may be used for internal hard drives while four as designed to be occupied by external drives. The casing has a total of seven slots for expansion cards. This leaves plenty of room for extending the functionality of your system.

At the back of the casing is a 120 mm fan which draws out the hot air from the memory chips and the video cards. To complement the action of the back fan, a 140 mm fan is installed on top of the case. This ensures a strong and steady flow of cool air within the casing.

A fan may also be installed in front. This fan serves to keep the hard drives cool in case a number of them are installed close to one another. Additionally, in case multiple video cards are used, another auxiliary fan may be placed close by.

The case, as it is originally, is cheap. This lets the user install additional fans without feeling that he has paid too much for the unit.

The Antec Three Hundred will definitely be a casing that you will not regret investing in if you use your computer a lot for games.

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