"Intel quietly launched a cheaper version of is Core 2 Quad processor over the Labor Day holiday, complementing it with a high-end dual-core Celeron.

The Q8200 is a 2.33-GHz quad-core chip with just 4 Mbytes of level-2 cache, the smallest L2 cache size Intel offers in its Core 2 Quad family. The chip is listed as $224 in 1,000-unit lots, making it the second cheapest Core 2 Quad processor Intel supplies.

The smaller cache size is likely to have a negative impact on performance, as cache memory is used to store frequently-accessed instructions. All of the Core 2 Quad chips contain either 6, 8, or12 Mbytes of level-2 cache. Neither Intel nor any independent testing organizations appear to have evaluated it using performance benchmarks.

Intel also released the Intel Celeron 450, a 2.2-GHz dual-core chip listed on Intel's price list as a "Celeron D," a name Intel once discarded. The Intel Celeron 450 is priced at $53 in 1,000-unit lots, making it the most expensive dual-core Celeron Intel sells.

The prices became effective on August 31."

"In response to the news that Google (GOOG) is releasing its own browser, code-named Chrome, I decide to call John Lilly, CEO of Mozilla, the folks behind the fast-growing Firefox browser. My intention was to find out what Lilly thought about this development, especially since Mozilla has been viewed as a close personal partner of Google's.

The open-source browser maker depends heavily on a lucrative financial deal it has signed with the search company. The pair recently renewed the deal to last through 2011. Was Lilly worried about yet another browser in the market?

After all, the emergence of Linux has had an equally deflationary impact on the UNIX market. Can a Google browser, promoted on Google homepage and pushed through Google's mobile OS, become a sticky wicket for Mozilla Firefox?"

"21 August 2008, Keelung, Taiwan – Lian Li Industrial Co. Ltd has launched the MAXIMA Force series of Power supply units (PSU). The MAXIMA Force offers exceptional power regulation and safety features with 80 Plus certification showing Lian Li’s commitment to quality, while exemplifying Lian Li’s attention to detail through craftsmanship. MAXIMA Force complies with the newest Intel standard ATX 12V V2.3 & EPS 12V rail systems, while the environmentally friendly design for energy saving with Active PFC (>0.9) / High efficiency (>80%) complies with the best standards and allows additional full rated power draw during overclocking sessions. Hosting a complete range from 470Watts, 650Watts and 750Watts, the MAXIMA Force PSU’s are designed with the enthusiast gamer in mind.

The features include Power Failure Detection with OVP/OCP/OLP/SCP/UVP/OTP, plus support for multi-core CPU and Multi GPU/graphics cards systems, additional support for over-clocked CPU, GPU, and RAM System hardware with a maximum 100W overpower capability for one hour. The superior Japanese capacitor components bring long lasting durability and quality for the ultimate in stable power output."

"As a result of recent changes in New York State tax law requiring certain out-of-state retailers to collect and remit sales taxes to the State of New York, we began collecting applicable sales tax for all orders shipped to New York addresses starting June 1, 2008.

After careful review and consideration, we are pleased to inform you that we have stopped collecting New York sales tax, effective August 21, 2008. This decision was driven by your direct and candid feedback and our continued commitment to you as our valued customers.

We appreciate your patience as we worked through this process, and would like to reiterate our commitment in offering our customers the broadest product selection, competitive pricing, fastest shipping, and award-winning customer service."

"Sunnyvale, Calif.—August, 2008—OCZ Technology Group, Inc., a worldwide leader in innovative ultra-high performance and high reliability memory, components, and systems, today announced its latest contest, “Win with the nia,” where competing gamers can use the revolutionary Neural Impulse Actuator to compete at national and regional levels for prize money and OCZ computer products. Gamers from all over the world will have the chance to put their nias to the test at LAN parties and e-sport competitions around the world, showing the gaming world just how incredible this new input device is at increasing immersion and lessening reaction times in the top PC titles.

The OCZ nia is an innovative new gaming peripheral, that is not a substitute for a mouse and keyboard but rather a pioneering new peripheral designed to provide an immersive experience for gamers. Train yourself by harnessing the power of your own biopotentials (electrical signals generated by activity patterns in muscles, brain, eyes) and OCZ will reward gamers who place in the top three places in global, national, and regional LAN levels using their nia.

Please visit the "Win with the NIA" Contest page here for a complete list of rules, contest details, and qualifying LAN Events."

"Fremont, CA, July 31, 2008 – Corsair®,a worldwide leader in high performance computer and flash memory products, announced today that its Dominator DDR3 memory modules have again shattered the world record for frequency. The record was set using the Asus ROG Rampage Extreme motherboard (Intel X48 chipset) and Corsair Dominator memory, utilizing Corsair’s award-winning DHX technology.

The world record of 2580 MHz was reached at latency settings of 9-9-9-24 using a Corsair Dominator DDR3 memory module. These results were achieved with an Intel® Core™2 Duo E8400 processor overclocked to a breathtaking 645MHz Front-Side Bus frequency. The results are verified by CPU-Z, an industry standard for verifying overclocking results, and are viewable here: http://valid.x86-secret.com/show_oc.php?id=393648

Corsair previously announced on May 20th its world record of 2462MHz and has now raised the record up to 118MHz faster. Corsair achieved these results as part of ongoing lab experiments on the effect of temperature on memory performance. The 2580MHz memory speed was achieved with the entire test platform -- including motherboard, CPU, chip set, and memory -- chilled to -20 degrees Celsius.

“We are proud that our Dominator Memory once again hit a new world record” said Martin Mueller, Senior Director of Engineering, Corsair. “Our proprietary technology used on Dominator DDR3 allows for incredible overclocking results; we believe our technology is far superior to any other when it comes to overclocking memory modules.”

Corsair Dominator Memory contains ultra fast chips cooled using Corsair’s proprietary Dual-Path Heat Xchange Cooling Technology (DHX). Dominators are used inDell, HP, Alienware and most high performance gaming systems. Corsair Dominator modules are available worldwide through authorized distributors and resellers in a variety of speeds and densities. Corsair memory products are backed by a lifetime warranty. Complete customer support via telephone, email, forum and the Tech Support Express Helpdesk are also available."

"IRVINE, Calif., July 15, 2008 – Toshiba Storage Device Division (SDD), the pioneer in small form factor hard disk drives (HDDs), today announced the industry's first commercially available 200GB-per-platter 5,400 RPM HDD, which will provide the highest HDD capacity at 400GB for integration into mobile PCs for the holiday season. In addition, the company also introduced a new family of high-end 7,200 RPM HDDs, offering up to 320GB storage capacity and superior performance.

The standard 9.5-millimeter-high package of both HDDs fits existing product designs, enabling an easier migration path to high-capacity storage for portable PC, gaming and personal storage manufacturers catering to the diversified needs of mobile users in the digital age.

In addition to increasing areal density to 308 gigabits-per-square-inch, the 400GB MK4058GSX incorporates acoustic techniques that make the 5,400 RPM HDD nearly inaudible during seek operations. The large storage capacity and silent operation of the MK4058GSX are particularly suited for video and audio playback.

For optimum user experience in data-intensive applications such as image processing, video editing, multimedia and gaming, Toshiba’s new 7,200 RPM, MKxx54GSY series delivers first-rate performance through a combination of factors, including optimized firmware, caching algorithms and fast data throughput of 1,020 megabits per second.

The MKxx54GSY provides a variety of capacity options ranging from 320 to 80GB. For added durability in mobile applications, free-fall sensor options also are available on the new HDD series."

"San Jose, California – July 15, 2008 -- Super Talent Technology, a leading manufacturer of Flash storage solutions and DRAM memory modules, today announced the PICO-C Gold, a 24-carat gold plated, water resistant USB drive that weighs less than a nickel (~4.7 grams), is smaller than an SD card, and can store over 2,000 MP3 songs.

Super Talent uses chip-on-board (COB) technology to squeeze 8GB of Flash into an impressively small 31.3mm x 12.4mm x 3.4mm gold plated steel case. The Pico-C Gold is shock resistant, water resistant, and has up to 200X (30MB/sec) transfer speeds. The Pico-C Gold includes a sturdy gold chain, and looks more like a fashion accessory than a high performance Flash drive.

“Is it the speed, the ruggedness, the water resistance, the incredibly tiny size or the pure elegance that people like most in our Pico-C drive? Who knows? But, this combination of features and style is not offered in any other terrestrial storage device, which makes it a real craze”, commented Super Talent Marketing Director, Joe James.

All Super Talent USB drives are backed with a lifetime warranty. The 8GB Pico-C Gold drive, part number STU8GPCG, is available from NewBiiz and NewEgg today for under $40."