Needy Nerdy Blog

Intel’s $115 Core i3-530 doesn't include Turbo Boost technology and it doesn't boast hardware-based AES-NI, but it overclocks like a fiend. We benchmarked this dual-core, HT-equipped chip at 4.4 GHz and determined the most power-efficient overclock.



Intel Core - Intel Core i5 - Intel Turbo Boost - overclock - Technology

Custom system builder AVADirect is one of the few companies to offer the flexibility of multiple graphics modules within the same notebook model. We used its high-end W860CU to compare AMD's and Nvidia's highest-performance mobile graphics processors.



Nvidia - GeForce - Advanced Micro Devices - Radeon - Graphics processing unit

What does it mean to build a truly-balanced PC? How great would it be to piece together a machine bottlenecked by neither CPU or GPU? We set forth to measure the perfect balance in seven different games and four resolutions in this third of many parts.



Central processing unit - Graphics processing unit - Personal computer - Gaming computer - Programming

In our recent Phenom II X6 1090T review, we speculated about the possibility of a quad-core CPU family based on AMD's Thuban design. Meet Zosma. We got our hands on a Phenom II X4 960T at 3 GHz, and unlocked it using ASRock's 890FX Deluxe3 motherboard.



Phenom II - Advanced Micro Devices - AmdPhenom - Central processing unit - AMD

AMD turns the bait-and-switch tactic upside down for the second time in four months, offering faster CPUs at existing price points. We explore the company's seven new models and discuss the processor lineup in a more general manner.



AthlonIi - Advanced Micro Devices - Central processing unit - AMD Phenom - processor

The big news this month isn't a new GPU launch, but the actual availability of the GeForce GTX 470 at retail. The GeForce GTX 480 can be found out in the wild too, and we discuss rumors we've heard about upcoming derivative cards in this month's update.



GeForce - Graphics processing unit - Nvidia - GPU - GeForce GTX 480

Diminutive 2.5” form factors are favored in the enterprise storage world for many reasons, but how do high-end 2.5” SAS drives compare to the established 3.5” products when it comes to performance and power? We requested some drives and did the analysis.



Hard disk drive - Storage - EnterpriseStorage - Hardware - Serial attached SCSI

Atom was designed to be a low-cost, low-power solution, but its value in the desktop space is debatable if you consider performance. We pit the cheapest Core i3 against Intel's Atom on a performance-per-dollar and a per-watt basis to see which is better.



Intel Atom - Intel Corporation - Intel - Intel Core - processor

The editorial team here at Tom’s Hardware has supported new PC builders since 1997 with tips, tricks, and sage advice. Our most complete builder’s guide was published back in 2006. Today’s updates add the best of what’s new to what’s tried-and-true.



Personal computer - Tom's Hardware - Hardware - FAQs Help and Tutorials - Tom

Intel’s second-gen Atom platform, Moorestown, positions the chip giant to have a killer smartphone and MID platform in 2010. The old Atom Z5xx drawbacks seem fixed. Why does Moorestown rock, and will it be enough to let Intel advance in this market?



Moorestown - Intel Atom - Intel Corporation - Smartphone - Intel

The March 2010 launch of Intel's hexa-core Core i7-980X gave us a good reason to revisit the LGA 1366 interface. Today, we're looking at four new X58 Express-based motherboards that tie USB 3.0 and SATA 6Gb/s support in to Intel's flagship platform.



Universal Serial Bus - Intel Corporation - Intel - Serial ATA - Intel Core i7

We reviewed Nvidia's GeForce GTX 480 one month ago. We're back today with three GTX 480s and two Radeon HD 5870s for SLI/CrossFire scaling analysis, case and motherboard recommendations to help you minimize noise, and an update on availability/pricing.



Nvidia - GeForce - Scalable Link Interface - Motherboard - Radeon

Intel's most modern dual-core Pineview-based Atom processor isn't just aimed at energy-efficient netbooks. It can also be found in NAS servers from a variety of manufacturers. We tested two mid-range appliances in order to measure the CPU's capabilities.



Intel Atom - Netbook - Intel Corporation - Multi-core processor - Central processing unit

Having covered Linux installation, running Windows XP in Ubuntu, Internet applications, and a handful of open source communications titles, Adam Overa is back with a comprehensive look at office apps for Windows users considering a switch to Linux.



Linux - Ubuntu - Microsoft Windows - Open source - Windows XP

Now that Intel offers hardware-based AES acceleration in a number of its mainstream processors, it's time to take a look at two of the most popular system encryption tools, BitLocker and TruCrypt, both of which are able to harness the hardware feature.



Encryption - TrueCrypt - Advanced Encryption Standard - Security - BitLocker Drive Encryption

Hot on the heels of Intel's Core i7-980X, AMD is looking to show enthusiasts that six cores don't have to cost four digits. Starting under $200, the real question is whether the new X6s are better than the X4s and Intel's quad-core Core i7-930 at 2.8 GHz.



Intel Core i7 - Intel Corporation - Advanced Micro Devices - AMD Phenom - Multi-core processor