Microsoft has been granted a patent for GPU acceleration of video encoding, in a move that could have significant ramifications for NVIDIA, ATI and others. The patent, “Accelerated video encoding using a graphics processing unit” filed in October 2004, describes a system whereby the GPU can “perform a motion estimation process in parallel with the video encoding process performed by the CPU” to reduce overall encoding time.
Stream computing is something we’ve seen both NVIDIA and ATI experiment with, with GPU models from both companies capable of turning their processor-packed chips to speeding up video crunching. We’re guessing lawyers all over will be poring over the exact reach of Microsoft’s new patent to see exactly what’s covered, what the company might be chasing them for royalties on, and how much they may need to rely on the DirectX Compute API in Windows 7.
We’re already running two giveaways – for a You Rock Guitar and a range of iPad cases – but we wanted to let you know there’s yet another opportunity to win coming up, courtesy of Lenovo. The company is giving us a brand new AMD-powered Lenovo ThinkCentre M75e to give away, and since they’re particularly proud of the AMD 760G chipset’s ability to drive two displays simultaneously, they’re throwing in a pair of 19-inch Lenovo LCD monitors as well!
The ThinkCentre M75e is Lenovo’s latest workstation – in fact it’s so new you won’t find a product listing on the company’s site yet – with a range of AMD Semprom, Athlon II and Phenom II dual, triple and quadcore processors along with up to 16GB of DDR3 memory. As standard there are VGA and DVI outputs, but you can also specify an optional Radeon HD 5450 graphics card which will add a further two outputs, all of which can be used simultaneously.
There are two cases to choose from, a regular tower and a SFF, with the former having two internal 3.5-inch HDD bays and the latter just one. Both have a 5.25-inch optical drive bay, for either DVD or DVD burners. Inside there are four SATA connectors, and several PCI Express slots – full height in the regular tower, and half-height in the SFF.
Up front there are two USB 2.0 ports and audio in/out, while on the back there are four further USB 2.0 ports, a serial port, PS/2, VGA, gigabit ethernet, audio in/out/headphones, and FireWire on select models. Best news, though, is the price: the range will kick off at $299.
We’re not sure on the specs of our review unit yet, since it’s not expected to drop until early October. Until then, make sure to enter our You Rock Guitar and iPad case giveaways, and standby for all the Lenovo details just as soon as we have them!
Acer‘s Aspire Predator series is known for its gaming kick, and that leg-action is all the more impressive now that the range has been expanded with a new flagship and a more affordable mainstream model. The Acer Aspire Predator AG7750-U3222 takes a spot at the high-end of gaming PCs, with a quadcore Intel Core i7-930 CPU, NVIDIA GeForce GTX470 graphics and 12GB of memory, while the Acer Aspire Predator AG5900-U3092 is a mid-range option with a Core i7-870 CPU, 8GB of memory and ATI Radeon HD 5850 1GB graphics.
Both share the distinctive Predator orange and black casing design cues and oversized vents, with the AG7750-U3222 also having a moving front panel. It can be specified with up to four 2TB hard-drives, while the AG5900-U3092 has a 1.5TB HDD as standard and three extra empty bays.
Elsewhere there are plenty of USB 2.0 ports, HDMI, gigabit ethernet (two on the more expensive machine), eSATA and FireWire. Full specs in the press release below; the Acer Aspire Predator AG5900-U3092 is priced at $1,349.99 and the Acer Aspire AG7750-U3222 at $1,999.99.
Press Release:
ACER FIRES UP A WIDER RANGE OF GAMERS WITH EXPANSION OF ASPIRE PREDATOR SERIES
Gaming arsenal now includes slick mainstream model in addition to radical powerhouse
SAN JOSE, Calif., Sept. 28, 2010 – To suit a new tier of combatants, Acer, the world’s second largest vendor in the PC market,(1) rounded out its Acer Aspire “Predator” gaming desktop PC line-up with a new mainstream model. Now gamers can choose from the high-end Aspire Predator AG7750-U3222, a monster machine built to thrill hard core enthusiasts or the Aspire Predator AG5900-U3092, engineered to excite mainstream gamers with its powerful, yet affordable configuration.
Both models are strong in style and specs, which include Intel® Core™ i7 quad-core processors and 1.5TB(2) hard drives. They’re also highly scalable, allowing the integration of many advanced components and gaming peripherals for battle.
“We’re now offering two killer Predator models with the goal of satisfying a wider range of gamers,” said Steve Smith, senior business manager of consumer desktops for Acer America. “Not everyone needs the most extreme gaming rig, so we designed the AG5900, a more mainstream alternative to our premium AG7750. The AG5900 boasts excellent core features, such as a high- speed processor, excellent graphics and tons of memory to hobble the competition at an affordable price.”
Aspire Predator AG5900: A Sharp Shooter – Mainstream Price/Performance
The newest model in the Predator line, the Predator AG5900-U3092 sports a clean and sophisticated exterior that shrouds a powerful set of features. A modern black chassis features dramatic orange accents and an eye-catching vent design. For easy access, the power button, four USB ports as well as headphone and microphone jacks are conveniently angled on the top of the system along with a storage tray for storing and charging smart phones, digital cameras and other devices. Handy cable management is provided via intuitive grooves in the storage tray that allow different sizes of cable to snap in between, which prevents tangling and having to fumble around to find loose cables. It also has four hard drive bays, two of which are easy-swap, enabling extra hard drives to be inserted without opening the box. Users just push on the protective door and the hard drive slides out on a tray.
The AG5900 is ready for battle with 8GB DDR3 SDRAM and an Intel® Core™ i7 870 processor with Intel® Turbo Boost Technology, which heightens performance and increases energy efficiency by allowing near-zero power consumption for inactive cores. A huge 1.5TB(2) SATA hard drive can store a gigantic library of the most graphic intensive games and multimedia available. ATI Radeon™ HD 5850 graphics with 1GB of dedicated memory, ATI Eyefinity Technology and full support for Microsoft DirectX® 11 delivers rich, realistic visuals for explosive HD gaming. Also, dynamic high-def 5.1-channel audio infuses games with heart-pumping sound.
This system is outfitted with a multi-in-one card reader and a combo/DVD super-multi optical drive for enjoying the most cutting-edge HD games. For those wanting to invest in future upgrades, the AG5900 is easily expandable with an available 5.25-inch optical drive bay, three open 3.5-inch HDD bays as well as two open PCI Express x1 slots and a standard PCI. There is a host of connectivity options including 12 total USB 2.0 ports (four on top, eight in back), an HDMI port, three audio jacks, an Ethernet port, display port and two DVI ports. To simplify transport, the system comes with a handle.
Aspire Predator AG7750: Tricked Out From the Top Down
The Predator AG7750-U3222, Acer’s premium gaming system is cutting edge from the inside out, featuring a bold design and advanced performance features. Boasting a NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX470 with NVIDIA® SLI™ technology, this dynamic system can scale performance by combining multiple NVIDIA graphics solutions in a 3-way SLI-certified motherboard, which can run up to three GPUs simultaneously for the ultimate in realistic visuals. NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX470 also enables the system for 3D gaming. Users can add an Acer GD245HQ/GD235HZ 3D monitor for a fully immersive experience with NVIDIA® 3D Vision™ wireless glasses and advanced software, which transforms hundreds of PC games into stereoscopic 3D. Combine these benefits with high-definition 7.1-channel audio with EAX (Environmental Audio Extensions) 5.0 for immersive surround sound and it’s gaming nirvana.
A force to be reckoned with, the Predator AG7750 is packed with an Intel® Core™ i7 930 quad-core processor with Intel® Turbo Boost Technology and 12GB SDRAM. The two-part liquid cooling system keeps the system cool even during intense gaming sessions.
Three additional easy-swap hard disk drive (HDD) cages allow up to a total of four Serial ATA 3 G/bs high-capacity hard disks to be added with up to a 2TB(2) capacity per single drive for a total storage capacity of up to 8GB(2). Users can save games, movies, music and more on the local disks, which can be easily swapped or removed for transport.
The dramatic orange and black desktop boasts a mechanized front cover that can be raised up and over the front of the chassis to provide convenient access to a multi-card reader, USB and audio ports.
The Predator AG7750 has an optical drive and is easily expandable with an available 5.25-inch optical drive bay and a variety of open PCI Express slots, including two PCI Express x16, two PCI Express x1, one PCI Express x8 and a standard PCI. The AG7750 also offers a host of connectivity options including 11 USB 2.0 ports (five in front, six in back), IEEE 1394, two eSATA ports, two Ethernet ports, two DVI-D ports (up to six with three graphics cards), five audio jacks and various others.
Pricing, Availability and Warranty
The new Acer Aspire Predator models are available now at leading technology and electronic retailers and come with a one year parts and labor limited warranty and toll-free technical support. The Acer Aspire Predator AG5900-U3092 has a MSRP of $1,349.99 and the Acer Aspire AG7750-U3222 a MSRP of $1,999.99.
Acer seems to have taken a leaf out of Bang & Olufsen’s design book with the aesthetic for their new all-in-ones, with the AMD-based Acer Aspire AZ3100-U3072 and the Intel-based Acer Aspire AZ5700-U3112 offering perhaps the best styling this side of an iMac. The 21.5-inch AZ3100-U3072 is the cheaper option, with AMD’s 2GHz Athlon II 170u CPU, 3GB of memory and a 500GB HDD, while the 23-inch Full HD AZ5700-U3112 gets Intel’s 3.2GHz Core i5-650 CPU, 4GB of memory, a 1TB HDD and a touchscreen.
The AMD processor is paired with NVIDIA GeForce 9200 graphics and a Full HD 1080p resolution panel, while the Intel processor is matched up with Intel HD graphics. The latter also supports multitouch, has a TV tuner and an IR blaster, and both have 5.1 audio, HDMI and six USB 2.0 ports.
Windows 7, WiFi b/g/n, gigabit ethernet and a wireless keyboard and mouse set are standard, and both machines are available now. The Acer Aspire AZ3100-U3072 is priced at $599, while the Acer Aspire AZ5700-U3112 is $1,099.
Press Release:
ACER UNVEILS NEW ALL-IN-ONE DESKTOP – A PICTURE-PERFECT HOLIDAY GIFT
Acer now offers two svelte AIO models; newest boasts a compact modern design and 21.5-inch HD display
SAN JOSE, Calif., Sept. 28, 2010 – Acer is aiming to top holiday `wish lists with the expansion of its sleek and stylish all-in-one desktop line. Its newest model, the Acer Aspire Z3100 features a 21.5-inch HD display and contemporary aesthetics. Acer has also pumped up the performance on its stylish, state-of-the-art Aspire AZ5700 with an intuitive 23-inch HD multi-touch display.
The new all-in-one desktops flaunt a refined design and the speed needed for efficient multitasking, social networking and high-def entertainment, including the enjoyment of HD movies and immersive audio. Both models are designed for users who appreciate clean aesthetics and want a PC that will eliminate clutter and maximize limited desktop real estate.
“The elegance and convenience of the all-in-one desktop is becoming increasingly popular with consumers,” said Steve Smith, senior business manager of consumer desktops for Acer America. “We’re pleased to offer our customers more choices for this practical form factor, which is appealing for its unique blend of features and modern architecture. In addition to our premium system with a 23-inch HD display, touch panel and TV tuner, we also offer a smaller, budget-friendly version with a host of features and ample power, ideal for dorm rooms, office nooks and lofts.”
Acer Aspire AZ3100-U3072 – Space Maximizer, High-Def Fun
The Acer Aspire AZ3100-U3072 with an integrated 21.5-inch LCD display provides solid performance in a simple design that’s ideal for areas where space is a premium. The contemporary look and feel encompasses a gray and black bezel and an illuminated blue accent strip with four brightness settings for lighting the wireless keyboard. Contributing to the crisp aesthetics is a compartment on the side of the chassis for managing cables and ample room under the elevated chassis for hiding the keyboard when not in use.
Created for multimedia enjoyment, the combination of the HD display’s true 1080p resolution and NVIDIA® GeForce® 9200 graphics enrich entertainment with sharp, lifelike images, smooth video transitions and vibrant colors. It’s a beautiful screen for viewing movies, streaming video and digital photography.
An AMD Athlon™ II 170u (2.0GHz) processor and 3GB DDR3 SDRAM provide plenty of power for surfing the web, email and casual games. A large 500GB hard drive(1) is big enough to store a vast library of digital media, personal files and software applications. The system has 5.1 channel audio and two built-in speakers for dynamic sound quality as well as an optical drive for enjoying CD music and DVD movies. It provides an integrated webcam and microphone, HDMI and 6 USB 2.0 ports for connecting to an array of peripherals and digital devices.
The AZ3100 also comes with Windows® 7 Home Premium, 802.11 b/g/n, Gigabit LAN and a wireless keyboard and mouse. The Aspire AZ3100-U3072 is available at leading retailers with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $599.
Acer Aspire AZ5700-U3112 – Striking Design, Intuitive Entertainment
The Acer Aspire AZ5700 all-in-one with a stunning 23-inch HD display is a beautiful blend of visual elegance, best-of-breed technology and superb performance. A seamless integration of a desktop PC with the usability of a multi-touch LCD display and a TV tuner makes it an appealing choice for those wanting an easy-to-use entertainment hub for the home.
The AZ5700 boasts chic styling. The sleek, chrome structure accented with a black strip will enhance any room or office. Designed to streamline the workspace, tidy cable management and keyboard storage eliminate clutter.
At the heart of the feature-rich functionality is multi-touch technology, which enables users to intuitively interact with the PC using multiple fingers as they would a mouse. They can open and close programs, browse online newspapers, flick through photo albums and shuffle files and folders, using nothing but their hands.
Fueled by Intel® Core™ i5 650 processors (3.2GHz), 4GB DDR3 SDRAM and Intel® HD graphics, this desktop has enough power for speedy multitasking and realistic imagery for movies, digital video, social networking and casual games. Digital media lovers will appreciate the dynamic high-def 5.1 channel audio, optical drive and 1TB SATA hard drive(1) that can accommodate a huge collection of movies, music, photos and more. In addition to a wireless keyboard and mouse, the system provides HDMI, an IR blaster port and 6 USB 2.0 ports.
In addition to Windows® Home 7 Premium, the Aspire Z5700 comes with the Acer TouchPortal, a suite of applications designed to synchronize life, the PC and Internet with all-in-one touch control. These applications include TouchMusic, TouchPhoto, TouchVideo, TouchBrowse, TouchCam, TouchMemo, TimeGadget, WeatherGadget and TouchFriends.
The Acer Aspire Z5700-U3112 is available at leading retailers with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $1099.
Acer’s beefy Aspire AS8943G series notebooks have received a grunt update, with the 18.4-inch 1080p-capable machines now toting ATI’s Radeon 5850 GPU with its own 2GB of memory. A range of Intel Core i7 chips are available – up to the i7-740QM – and either 4GB or 8GB of RAM.
There’s also HDMI, eSATA, WiFi b/g/n, gigabit ethernet and a 1.3-megapixel webcam, together with a 500GB HDD as standard and room for a second internal hard-drive. Blu-ray and a FireWire port round out the media-friendly features, and Acer’s unusual dual-mode touchpad changes between a regular multitouch trackpad and shortcuts for playback.
Unsurprisingly, the only thing that hasn’t changed is the high price; the AS8943G series is still at the expensive end of Acer’s spectrum. Kicking off at at $1,499.99, the Acer Aspire AS8943G-9319 and the Acer Aspire AS8943G-9429 are each available now.
Press Release:
New Acer Aspire AS8943G Notebook Computers Offer ATI Radeon 5850 Graphics with 2GB of Memory
Acer’s newest high-performance notebook PCs deliver unparalleled gaming and personal theater experience
SAN JOSE, Calif., Sept. 27, 2010 – Acer America, part of the world’s second largest manufacturer of notebook PCs (1), today announced two new models in its Aspire AS8943G notebook line now offer the ATI Mobility Radeon 5850 graphics processor with 2GB of dedicated video memory.
The Acer Aspire AS8943G Series of notebooks are first-class multimedia centers that deliver an unparalleled high-definition personal theater experience, and are designed for the most discriminating computing enthusiast. Featuring top-of-the line technologies and usability features, the Aspire Series is designed for creating multimedia content, watching movies or dominating the latest PC games.
Already renowned for their phenomenal gaming performance and spectacular HD video and audio entertainment capabilities, Acer Aspire notebooks featuring the new ATI GPU are capable of running demanding DirectX® 11 games in full HD at maximum settings. Enthusiasts will appreciate its phenomenal performance and ability to deliver an enhanced home theatre audio experience, high-quality surround sound and advanced display quality.
“For gamers and other computing enthusiasts, a holiday gift couldn’t get much better than this,” said Preeta Anil, Acer product marketing. “The Acer Aspire notebooks featuring ATI’s newest and fastest GPUwill allow them to get the best possible experience out of their PC, surrounding and immersing themselves in the most graphic- intensive games or the latest Blu-ray action adventure movie.”
Acer Aspire AS8943G notebooks are powered by an Intel® Core™ i7 Quad Core Processor (i7-740QM) and 4GB or 8GB of memory (upgradeable to 16GB) and feature a brilliant CineCrystal™ 18.4-inch edge-to-edge glass LED back-lit display with full high-definition (1080p) resolution. For movie buffs, an HDMI port allows for quick and easy hook up to an even bigger high-definition TV. And combined with its Dolby® optimized Acer CineSurround sound system with five built-in speakers and a dedicated subwoofer, consumers can lose themselves in realistic high-definition visuals, enjoying a full-throttle immersive computing experience like never before.
Complimenting its top-notch performance, graphics, display and audio capabilities, other high-end features found on Aspire AS8943G series notebooks include a 500GB(3) SATA hard drive, support for dual hard drives, a firewire port for moving videos quickly from a digital camcorder, and an eSATA port for fast data transfer.
Its unique dual-mode touchpad enables switching between multi-gesture mode and media console mode, and the flick of a finger launches favorite movies or music. A convenient scrolling volume wheel directly under the touchpad makes it easy to control volume levels.
Connecting to the Internet is fast and easy, with 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™ wireless for the road and Gigabit Ethernet for fast connection at home.
A 1.3 megapixel HD webcam and digital microphone provides clear high-quality online chat sessions, and can also take still pictures and videos for sharing with friends. The notebooks also include a bio-protection fingerprint reader, preventing unauthorized use of the PC.
Configurations, Pricing and Availability
With prices starting at $1,499.99, the Acer Aspire AS8943G-9319 and the Acer Aspire AS8943G-9429 are available now at leading retailers.
Acer has updated its AS5742G, AS5745 and Aspire AS7745 notebooks, throwing in a selection of new Intel Core i3, i5 and i7 processors, together with a choice of integrated NVIDIA Optimus or ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5650 graphics. The 15.6-inch 1366 x 768 AS5742G and AS 5745 machines have a choice of HDDs up to 500GB, while the 17.3-inch 1600 x 900 AS7745 gets up to 1TB. There’s also the Acer AS5745DG with NVIDIA 3D Vision courtesy of the NVIDIA GeForce GT 420M GPU.
The AS5745DG has a Core i5 CPU as standard, along with a 15.6-inch 1366 x 768 display capable of 120Hz refresh rate. There’s also a pair of NVIDIA active shutter glasses in the box. Acer also preloads software to convert 2D visuals to 3D, and there’ WiFi a/b/g/n, an HDMI port, 1.3-megapixel webcam, four USB 2.0 ports and a 9-cell battery.
The Acer Aspire AS5745DG will arrive in late October, priced at $999.99. As for the updated machines, they kick off at $749.99 for the Aspire 5742G, $649.99 for the Aspire AS5745 and $799.99 for the AS7745.
Press Release:
ACER UNVEILS NEW ASPIRE NOTEBOOK PCs PACKED WITH ENTERTAINMENT FEATURES INCLUDING ADVANCED NVIDIA 3D CAPABILTIES AND OPTIMUS™ TECHNOLOGY
SAN JOSE, Calif., Sept. 27, 2010 – Acer America today announced its new lineup of entertainment-driven notebooks, offering advanced performance features including the latest in 3D viewing technology, Blu-ray and branded discrete graphics. Geared for consumers who want to enjoy multimedia and mobility, the updated Aspire AS5742G, AS5745 and Aspire AS7745 notebooks series are available for U.S. customers at retail and e-tail outlets with prices beginning at MSRP $749.99 for the 15.6-inch Aspire 5742G, $649.99 for the Aspire AS5745 and $799.99 for the 17.3-inch AS7745.
“Consumers desire the best of both worlds when buying a new notebook PC, including advanced productivity and outstanding entertainment capabilities that may be enjoyed anywhere, anytime,” said Preeta Anil, senior manager of product marketing for Acer America. “The new Aspire AS5742G, AS5745 and AS7745 notebook series upholds Acer’s strong tradition of combining innovation with value by delivering leading-edge technology at a price that’s accessible to many consumers.”
Mobile Performance for Work and Advanced 3D for Play
Bringing entertainment to a new dimension, the Aspire AS5745DG offers the latest in 3D viewing and display technology, allowing images and games to literally pop from the screen. The AS5745DG brings 3D movies and games to life with stunning realism thanks to the superb combination of the most advanced 3D technology, fast Intel® Core™ i5 processors, and powerful NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 420M graphics, which accelerates applications to make visual effects more realistic.
Utilizing NVIDIA® 3D Vision™ technology, the AS5745DG notebook features true 120Hz LCD technology to deliver a full-resolution 3D experience. The notebook’s 15.6-inch Acer CineCrystal™ HD widescreen display (1366 x 768 resolution) paired with advanced active 3D shutter glasses with a built-in IR receiver, deliver left and right images on alternating frames to the user, while each eye continues to see a full 60Hz signal. This allows each eye to receive the full resolution of the display with wide viewing angles, rendering premium 3D optics with added depth to on-screen visuals, text and objects.
A complete 3D entertainment center, the AS5745DG features Acer Arcade™ Deluxe to convert 2D to 3D images with a single click. Customers can enjoy the latest 3D movies with Dolby® Home Theater® v3 surround sound or engage in action-packed gaming, with many PC games easily transformed into stereoscopic 3D right out of the box. Customers can also use the notebook’s HDMI port to connect to HD displays and TVs to create cinema-quality entertainment in the living room.
Beyond 3D enjoyment, the Aspire 5745DG provides multi-purpose computing performance along with plenty of ways to access, store, share and enjoy their digital files and applications. The spacious 500GB hard drive can store a vast library of music, video, photos, spreadsheets, documents and email. An integrated multi-in-one media reader enables a convenient connection to peripherals and electronic devices, while the four USB 2.0 ports provide ample connections to peripherals and consumer electronics.
The Aspire AS5745DG notebook’s integrated 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi CERTIFIED wireless technology and Gigabit Ethernet facilitates smooth and trouble-free emailing and web browsing. The Acer Crystal Eye 1.3 megapixel HD webcam enables high-quality video chats and VoIP with friends, family and work associates. The notebook’s ample 9-cell battery also keeps users untethered to a power source for hours of mobile entertainment enjoyment.
The new Acer Aspire AS5745DG will be available at select online retailers beginning in late October with prices being at MSRP $999.99.
New HD Notebook Tech Features for Better Cinematic Playback and Productivity
In addition to the 3D model, the Aspire AS5742G, AS5745 and AS7745 lines offer an attractive range of features including NVIDIA® Optimus™ technology, Blu-ray drives and quad-core processing on select models.
For serious multitaskers, content creators or multimedia enthusiasts, the Aspire AS5742G features NVIDIA’s Optimus™ technology, a hybrid graphics engine which intelligently optimizes a notebook to provide outstanding graphics performance, all while extending battery life for longer enjoyment. Completely automatic and performed behind the scenes, NVIDIA® Optimus™ technology seamlessly selects either UMA or discrete graphics, based on the application. Users will not detect or have any interruption while continuing to enjoy applications and games.
The Aspire 5742G notebooks are housed in textured mesh black covers, while the Aspire AS5745 and AS7745 notebook lines come in a handsome, thin-and-light industrial design with a glossy black cover. With LED-backlit display options to suit entertainment needs and provide outstanding visual experiences, the AS5742G and AS5745 Series sports a 15.6-inch high-definition (HD) widescreen display (1366 x 768 resolution), while the AS7745 Series touts a 17.3-inch HD+ widescreen display (1600 x 900 resolution).
The Aspire AS5742G and AS5745 Series offer up to a 500GB(1) hard drive for storing a vast library of music, video, images, movies and games. The notebooks are powered by the latest Intel® Core™ i3, Core™ i5 and Core™ i7 processors, which enable even the most demanding users to multitask quickly and easily. Notebooks with Intel® Core™ i5 or Core™ i7 processors boast Intel® Turbo Boost Technology, which automatically speeds up the processor when the PC requires extra performance.
The Aspire AS7745 Series also touts discrete ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD 5650 graphics option, which infuses videos, movies and games with dramatic detail, vivid color and realism. Powered by Intel® Core™ i7 quad-core processors offer four instead of two memory slots, the AS7745 allows users to economically configure 8GB of system memory via four 2GB memory modules or maximum system memory with 16GB via four 4GB memory modules. The notebook also packs a giant 500GB(1,3) hard drive and support for a second hard drive, giving ample room for a huge library of movies, music and more with up to 1TB of storage capacity.
AMD has outed its latest professional graphics card, the ATI FirePro V9800, with a full 1,600 stream processors and whopping 4GB of GDDR5 memory. The FirePro V9800 has six Mini DisplayPort outputs – using ATI EyeFinity to drive the half-dozen displays – and supports DirectX 11, OpenGL 4.0, ATI CrossFire Pro and a 256-bit memory interface.
While the V9800 is based on the same Cyprus GPU as AMD used in the V8800 professional card, here it’s capable of 2.72 terraflops versus 2.64 terraflops in its predecessor. Despite that – and despite having double the memory and more ports – it uses less power, down to 199W.
We’re yet to see the first reviews come in, but AMD’s own benchmarks suggest the FirePro V9800 slightly exceeds the V8800 in Viewperf 10 testing, but manages more than double what an NVIDIA Quadro 5000 could manage. MRSP for the two-slot card is a hefty $3,499.
Today AMD announced that they are retiring the ATI brand entirely from their branding and marketing. This is a move that I have been expecting for some time now since it has been one of the more prominent discussions at the last few AMD Analyst Summits I have attended.
It has become blatantly clear over the past few years that the “speeds and feeds” marketing by manufacturers of personal computers was becoming less relevant to the decision making process of mainstream consumers. This is why both AMD and Intel are taking very different approaches with their partners on how to position and market to consumers.
In my briefing with AMD about this brand transition they explained that they were very sensitive to the ATI brand and the loyalty to the brand that has been established through the years. For this reason they performed extensive market research before making this decision. They explained to me that their research yielded the following results:
- The AMD preferences triples with awareness of ATI + AMD merger
- The AMD brand is stronger than ATI vs. graphics competitors
- Radeon and FirePro brand awareness and consideration is very high
This move fits what AMD is trying to accomplish by simplifying the branding schemes for consumers hopefully making the purchasing decision easier. Eliminating logo overload and focusing more on what the product can do is the right approach for the mainstream consumer segment. That is in essence what their VISION campaign is all about.
This move is also important as AMD rolls out their Fusion Architecture where they will be integrating the GPU onto the CPU. This new architecture combines the best of ATI and AMD into a single architecture. The consolidated branding of the ATI Radeon and FirePro brands under AMD will hopefully create a much cleaner consumer brand as it relates to their Fusion architecture.
The bottom line is consumers purchasing decisions are evolving and have become more focused on what they want their computer to do for them. Of course the components accomplish this, however consumers are more aware of what they want the computer to do than what the computer has inside.
Lucid has announced that it has unveiled the new UNITY graphics board architecture. The new architecture is designed to make HYDRALOGIX multi-GPU gaming accessible to more users. The HYDRALOGIX tech was previously known by the much better name Hydra.
The HYDRALOGIX 200 real time distributed processor tech will allow any NVIDIA or ATI GPU to be combined by vendors to create an affordable multi-GPU ready graphics card. The new processor allows the user to keep the video card they have now and buy any brand of GPU card in the future and still get the benefits of multiple GPU gaming.
Traditionally for SLI or Crossfire to work, you have to have the same exact brand and model of GPU in the machine. The processor will allow this to happen on any motherboard as long as the user plugs in a video card that is using the UNITY graphics board architecture. This is actually very cool and good news for the gamer. Consumer video cards using the new HYDRALOGIX 200 processor are expected in time for holiday shopping at under $199.
AMD has confirmed it intends to axe its separate ATI graphics card branding, telling The Tech Report that it will instead be bringing them under the AMD umbrella. Intended to accommodate the new breed of combined CPU/GPU Fusion chipsets that will kick off with the Bobcat before the end of 2010, the move also follows AMD’s research which discovered potential buyers were three times more likely to pick an ATI-branded card when they were told AMD were behind it.
Meanwhile the Radeon and Fire Pro brands are also apparently highly-considered among consumers, and overall AMD felt like graphics card aficionados were giving them “permission” to do away with the double-branding. Finally, the fact that the graphics side of AMD’s business is doing particularly well in the market right now doesn’t hurt either.
Four sets of logos – shown above – will be used, the bottom two hiding the AMD branding so that manufacturers using Intel CPUs won’t have a confusing array of stickers. The company doesn’t plan to rebrand existing models, but will start using the new nomenclature later on this year.
