Aug 7, 2008

Graphics Card Buying Guide


This Buying Guide was published on PC Shopper Philippines magazine (August Issue).

If you intend to use your PC for graphics-intensive applications, the video card is definitely one of the most important components that will make or break your tasks. With the rapid evolution of hardware and software that require constant upgrades, browse through our advices to make sure you will get the right add-on card.

Fast Facts
  • If you’re running 3D and heavy graphics, your system mostly depends on the graphics card. A weak video card will slow down PC performance even if you have a strong CPU or a massive memory module. Other components may complement, but video output quality is loaded based on the graphics card’s ability to handle the technologies. This is why some high-end video cards are actually more expensive than any other components in the system.
  • Graphics cards are usually rolled out between six to twelve months period before a new faster and powerful series than the previous models is introduced to support new technologies. Current mid-range to high-end video cards bring a lot of new highfalutin technologies that are often times blurry for most of us.
  • PC Gaming publishers usually release new products every year, giving way to new system requirements, making your head turning to find out why your PC gets outdated quickly. If your PC is more than three years, maybe it's too old to have an upgrade so it’s better to get rid of it. No, don’t throw it away. Sell it and buy a new rig.
  • Graphics card upgrade may require upgrading of other components such as CPU, memory, hard drive, and even the power supple depending on the applications and video card type you will use.
  • Graphics cards are also called “expansion cards” or “add-on cards” specifically designed for the motherboard’s AGP or PCI-Express slots. They called “expansions” or “add-ons” simply because there are cheaper video solutions that are integrated or built-in on the motherboard with special slots for discreet video cards. Built-in video may run 3D applications and games but this is generally slow and works well on daily office tasks and e-mail access.
AGP and PCI Express
Current motherboards usually have AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port or Advanced Graphics Port) or PCI Express (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express or PCI-E) expansion slots for add-on graphics cards. You should determine the slot type on your motherboard because AGP or PCI Express graphics cards are designed for one slot type only. The big difference between the two is the bandwidth they offer. Manufacturers claim that the higher bandwidth is better.

The descendant of PCI parallel-interface video cards, AGP is being slowly driven away by PCI Express. Providing sufficient bandwidth for new applications with 2.1GBps bandwidth, the latest AGP 8x graphics cards and motherboards are still widely available.

PCI Express is the latest species in the evolution of video cards following on the component transition from parallel to serial for an increased bandwidth. It theoretically offers 2 – 4 times more bandwidth than AGP. Since all PC components are gearing towards the serial interface, most new graphics cards designed for PCIE. The latest PCIE (x16) 2.0 can run about 8 GBps bandwidth. Most motherboards with multiple PCI Express x16 slots are designed to operate SLI and CrossFire functions.

If your PC system is more than two years old, it probably has an AGP slot. Upgrading to PCI Express will be expensive since you'll need to replace the motherboard, CPU, and memory, but if your system is more than two years old, it might just be the right time to upgrade your entire PC anyway.
Graphics Card Stuff: What you may not know
  • Fill Rate – GPU’s speed in drawing pixels depending on the number of ROP (raster operations pipeline) units of the graphics card.

  • GART (Graphics Address Remapping Table) – a capability of reading textures directly from memory without the need to copy them to video memory.

  • GBps (Gygabyte per second) – bandwidth measured in the number of Gygabytes processed per second.

  • Pixel Pipelines –pixels pass through a GPU unit called “pipelines” which crunch complex vertex and pixel-shader programs for lighting and other effects. The more pipelines, the better. Cheaper cards usually have 4 pipelines while mid-range to high-end 8-16 or more.

  • Pixel Shaders (also called “pixel processors”), Vertex Shaders Units (also called “vertex processors”), and Unified Shaders – Usually used for realism gaming, Pixel and Vertex Shaders are GPU units that execute pixel frequency and control colors that apply an effect on images like shadows and explosions. Unified Shaders combines and executes both Pixel and Vertex Shaders.

  • RAMDAC (Random Access Memory Digital-to-Analog Converter) – converters used to store color palette that generate analog signals for the monitor.

  • SLI (NVIDIA’s scalable link interface) and CrossFire (ATI) – New technologies that allow two or graphics cards installation for certain intensive graphics applications.
It’s not all about memory
The most popular error in pronouncing a graphics card’s performance is judging it by its memory size. Well, that was true during PCI video cards heydays. Memory size is important, but the real deal in determining video card speed is the capability of the GPU. Of course, higher memory can provide a certain effect but there are more important considerations to measure performance like the GPU’s memory bus, clock, and pipelines that affect bandwidth. Take a look at pipelines and clock speed specs

Current graphics cards use 64 - 512-bit bus witch 400 – 2000MHz clock, so a 512-bit bus with high clock speed can definitely give the card a boost as compared to 64-bit. Current memory types are designed on DDR and GDDR modules ranging from 128 MB to 1024 MB. A few years ago, video cards with 16-32 MB could do well with graphics programs. Today, many games and applications like Adobe CS3 require at least 128 MB to run.

What’s on the card?

  • Analog D-Sub (also known as VGA or DB-15F) – 15-pin connector for analog monitors.

  • DVI (DVI-Integrated and DVI-Digital) - standard interface used to provide digital video signals to LCD monitors.

  • HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) - simultaneously transmitting visual and audio data via the same cable.

  • DisplayPort - new digital video interface designed for upcoming multimedia devices.

  • GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) – The brain of the graphics card, GPUs operation is measured in megahertz (millions of information processed per second).
nVIDIA or ATi?
ATi and nVIDIA are the only two consumer graphics card vendors that clashes head to head in the market today (If there are others, please let me know). They have their own price ranges and I can’t say which is better or worst because each has its ups and downs. If you don’t have any budget constraints, grab a high-end solution to get the highest quality images and best performance.

Aug 5, 2008

Desktop Processors: Multi-Cores and OverClocking

Being the so-called “computer’s brain” which executes all applications, the processor is obviously the most vital component of the PC. Distributors highlight the processor on top of the specs sheet because of its impact on the over-all performance of the PC system.

Fast Facts
  • CPU - The PC processor called the CPU (Central Processing Unit). To avoid confusion, the “CPU” term tends to be dropped in the market because it also refers to the CPU package that includes all components inside the case. Current video cards also feature processors which is called a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit).

  • Clock Speed - Clock speed is a processor rating that measures a certain number of information processed per second. 2.0GHz means 2 billions of data processed per second. Current applications require millions of data to run so the higher clock speed means faster processing. Multi-core processors are just making this impression a lot more complex as we see lower clock speeds compared to single cores. Logically, a dual-core processor with each running at 1.5GHz should be equivalent to a 3.0GHz single-core. This will not work if applications designed for single-cores are executed on multi-cores.

  • FSB - The Front Side Bus (FSB) serves as the processors’ connection to the system memory. FSB data transfer speed allows better the processor performance.

  • L2 Cache - The cache enables the processor to speedily access recently used information. Current processors operate on Level 2 (L2) cache which provides faster data transfer between the processor and main system memory.
Top-of-the-line
Here are the current most powerful and most also most expensive processors in the market. You might want to grab one of these if you want to get the best performance for your PC.
  • Intel Core 2 Extreme Quad-Core Q9000 series
    Processor Numbers: QX9775, QX9770, QX9650
    Architecture: 45 nanometer technology
    L2 Cache: 12 MB
    Clock Speed: 3.20 GHz (QX9775, QX9770), 3 GHz (QX9650)
    Front Side Bus Speed: 1600 MHz (QX9775, QX9770), 1333 MHz (QX9650)
    Slot/Socket Type: LGA771- DX5400 (QX9775, QX9770), LGA775 (QX9650)

  • AMD Phenom X4 Quad-Core 9000 series
    Model Number: 9950
    Frequency (MHz): 2600
    L2 Cache Size (KB): 512
    Manufacturing Tech (CMOS): 65nm SOI
    Socket: AM2+
    System Bus (MHz): 4000

  • AMD Phenom X3 Triple-Core 8000 series
    Model Number: 8750
    Frequency (MHz): 2400
    L2 Cache Size (KB): 512
    Socket: AM2+
    Manufacturing Tech (CMOS): 65nm SOI
    System Bus (MHz): 3600
Overclocking
Overclocking is the term used in pushing a processor (CPU or GPU) to operate higher than what is officially rated by its vendor. It is claimed that overclocking enables the system to extend its capabilities by more than 25%, definitely a high boost to computer performance.

It is widely assumed especially by PC gamers who are hungry for more computing power, that out-of-the-factory processors are usually underrated by manufacturers for increased reliability. The processors bit rating determines the largest number of information that a processor can handle depending on the clock speed. A processor clock cycle is measured at 2 to the power of the bit rating so 32-bit can handle up to 232 or about 4.3 billion processed information per cycle. In turn, 64-bit can execute 264 or about 18.4 quintillion. Clock speeds are said to be lower than the maximum number of information that many tech buffs would like to get hold of the extra unrated power of processors without spending more and take the system a further step higher in its class.
  • Caveat!
    While there are overclocked processors that can actually take smooth operation, a user should have the necessary technical know-how in forcing the processors to its limits because hitches may result such as increasing heat dissipation, reducing lifespan or completely wrecking the component.
Multi-Core Processors
Initially designed to serve the server market, multi-core processors are now finding its way to personal computing with the new generation of software that require higher speeds and processing power.

Multi-core design integrates multiple physical processors on a single chip dividing the applications between the processors to allow the system to function faster by running multiple threads. Multi-tasked applications generate multiple threads or streams of data. A processor can only handle a single thread at a time. This means that the more applications are executed the slower a thread is processed.

A multi-core processor enables the system to handle more than one thread at a time by switching the threads between the cores to provide faster information processing.

Aug 4, 2008

Battle of New UMPCs

UMPCs are creating a heap of noise these days. As manufacturers continue innovating to make smaller, stronger and inexpensive PCs, the line between ultra-portables and ultra-mobiles is getting blurred. While some are actually not cheap, road warriors get the juice on the move. Let's take a close look at new UMPCs on the block.

UMPCs a.k.a. ultra-mobile personal computers, are small lightweight under a kilogram notebook computers that have about 7-8-inch LCD screen. UMPCs are smaller-than-usual laptops with all the features and functions of a PC.

UMPCs' compact design makes it easy to be carried by those who spend more time on the road. With specs and functions that overlap with other handheld devices, UMPCs are also referred to by a variety of notebook categories including subnotebooks, ultraportables, mini-laptops (mini-notebooks), and MID's (mobile internet devices).

Asus EeePC 900
SRP: PhP25,000
ASUS stirred interest on the UMPC category with the introduction of the EeePC last year. The EeePC 900 is the second iteration of this ground-breaking laptop with 16GB drive, a wider 8.9-inch screen, and 1GB RAM.


Display: 8.9” 1024 x 600
Casing Color: Pearl White, Black
CPU: Intel Mobile CPU
Memory: 1GB DDR2
Display Card: Intel UMA
Storage: 12GB (4SSD+8flash) (XP); 20GB (4SSD+16 flash) (Linux)
Card Reader: SD / MMC (SDHC)
Audio: Built-in mic/speakers
Wireless: Built-in 802.11b/g
Camera: Built-in 1.3Mp
Input/Output: 3 USB ports, VGA-out (D-Sub, 15pin), earphone /mic/RJ45 Ethernet
OS: Windows XP/Linux
Dimensions: 23 x 17 x 3cm WHD
Weight: 0.99 Kg


HP 2133 Mini Note
SRP:PhP30,000
The 2133 offers multiple configurations, bigger keys in an aluminum alloy design. The PhP30K version is fully loaded with a 120GB, 7200rpm hard drive and Windows Vista.

Display: 8.9” 1280 x 768
Casing Color:
Silver Black
CPU: VIA C7-M ULV 1.6 GHz
Memory: 1-2GB DDR2
Display Card: VIA Chrome 9
Storage: 120-160GB or 64GB SSD; optional 4GB PATA Flash w/ SuSE Linux
Card Reader: ExpressC/54, SD
Audio: Built-in mic/speakers
Wireless: Broadcom 802.11a/b/g,
Camera: Optional
Input/Output: 2 USB ports, RJ45 Ethernet, earphone/mic
OS: Windows Vista/Linux
Dimensions: 1’ (at front) x 10 ’ x 6.5’
Weight: 1.2 Kg

Lenovo Thinkpad X300
SRP: PhP130,000
The new X300 is the 0.73'' thinnest ND lightest ThinkPad ever with built-in DVD burner, a slew of 3 USB ports, mic and headphone ports and more.


Display:
13.3’ WXGA 1440 x 900
Casing Color: Silver Black
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo 1.2GHz
Memory: 1-4GB DDR2
Display Card: Intel Graphics X3100
Storage: 64GB SATA SSD, Ultra-thin DVD Burner
Card Reader: Built-in mic/speakers
Audio: Bluetooth, GPS (Verizon WWAN), Intel UltraWideBand, Intel WiMax, 802.11n
Wireless: Intel PRO
Camera: Built-in 1.3Mp
Input/Output: Fingerprint sensor, 3 USB ports,earphone/mic, RJ45 Ethernet
OS: Windows Vista Business
Dimensions: 12.5” x 9.1” x 0.73” WDH
Weight: 1.42kg


Astone UMPC
SRP:PhP20,000
The Astone UMPC has a 7” touchscreen LCD powered by a VIA C7 processor at 1.2 GHz, 1Gb RAM and 60GB hard drive. It comes with a 1.3MP webcam and a Bluetooth VoiP phone.

Display: 7” WVGA Touch Screen
Casing Color: Silver Black
CPU: VIA C7-M ULV 1.2Ghz
Memory: 1GB DDR2
Display Card: VIA UniChrome Pro II
Storage: 60GB
Card Reader: 4in1SD/MMC/MS/MS P
Audio: Built-in mic/speakers
Wireless: Wireless LAN Azure Wave IEEE 802.11b/g, Bluetooth
Camera: Built-in 0.3MP
Input/Output: 2 USB 2.0 RJ45 Ethernet, earphone/mic, DVI-I, Bluetooth VoIP Phone
OS: Linux Open OS
Dimensions: 23×17x29 cm
Weight: 0.97 Kg


Apple MacBook Air
SRP:PhP150,000
The new MacBook Air is 0.8” ultrathin in a 13”-screen package designed with wireless innovations. This ultra-portable comes with a whopping full-size keyboard and exceptionally large multi-touch trackpad.


Display: 13.3” WXGA
Casing Color: Silver, White
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo
Memory: 2GB DDR2
Display Card: Intel GMA X3100
Storage: 80GB, 64GB SSD optional
Card Reader: None
Audio: Built-in mic/speakers
Wireless: AirPort Extreme Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11n, Bluetooth
Camera: Built-in iSight, 640×480
Input/Output: 1 USB, Micro-DVI, earphone/mic,
OS: Mac OSX 10.5 Leopard
Dimensions: .76” H x 12.8” W x 9” D
Weight: 1.36 Kg

Everex Cloudbook
SRP:Php20,000
Everex lives up to its commitment to provide customers with high-performance, highly-affordable technology, simple and durable enough to be used in everyday life with the Everex CloudBook, a new Ultra Mobile Portable Computer designed to run Linux or Windows OS that will try to compete with other UMPCs on the market such as the Asus Eee PC, the OLPC and the Intel ClassMate. Just under 1Kg, the CloudBook's dimensions (WxDxH) are only 9.06" x 6.73 x 1.16" .Powered by a VIA C7 ULV 1.2GHz CPU and 512MB of RAM30GB hard drive, the CloudBook is featured with a built-in WiFi, 1.3MP webcam, speakers and 4-in-1 card reader, and Ethernet,DVI and two USB ports.

Display: 7" WVGA 800 x 480
Casing Color: Silver, Black
CPU: VIA C7-M ULV 1.2 GHz
Memory: 512MB DDR2
Display Card: VIA UniChrome Pro IGP
Storage: 30GB
Card Reader: 4-in1SD, MMC, MSPRO
Audio: Built-in mic/speakers
Wireless: 802.11b/g
Camera: Built-in 0.3MP
Input/Output: 2 USB, RJ45 Ethernet, DVI-I, earphone/mic
OS: Ubuntu, gOS Rocket
Dimensions: 23 × 17 × 3 cm (WHD)
Weight: 0.91 Kg

Lenovo Thinkpad X300

SRP: PhP130,000
The new X300 is the 0.73'' thinnest ND lightest ThinkPad ever with built-in DVD burner, a slew of 3 USB ports, mic and headphone ports and more.



Display:
13.3’ WXGA 1440 x 900
Casing Color: Silver Black
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo 1.2GHz
Memory: 1-4GB DDR2
Display Card: Intel Graphics X3100
Storage: 64GB SATA SSD, Ultra-thin DVD Burner
Card Reader: Built-in mic/speakers
Audio: Bluetooth, GPS (Verizon WWAN), Intel UltraWideBand, Intel WiMax, 802.11n
Wireless: Intel PRO
Camera: Built-in 1.3Mp
Input/Output: Fingerprint sensor, 3 USB ports,earphone/mic, RJ45 Ethernet
OS: Windows Vista Business
Dimensions: 12.5” x 9.1” x 0.73” WDH
Weight: 1.42kg

CyberPress stages first laser tag tournament for IT firms


The IT Journalists Association of the Philippines Inc., also known as CyberPress, is staging the first laser tag tournament for local IT companies on Aug. 15, 1 to 6 in the afternoon, at the Lazer Xtreme gaming arena in Market! Market! in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

IT executives from the country’s top technology and BPO firms are expected to slug it out in a friendly competition meant to serve as a continuation of the annual sports tournament organized by the local IT press corps.

The tournament, which will employ a knock-out system, will be held in a high-tech and futuristic venue which opened just two months back. Unlike in most war games using high-pressure pellet guns or paint projectiles, Lazer Xtreme provides electronic tag games minus the danger, pain, wardrobes ruined by paint, the need to buy expensive gear, among other concerns, making the game suitable for people of all ages, shapes, and sizes.

Moreover, unlike in many simulation-shooting games that rely mostly on marshals to monitor hits and casualties, the state-of–the–art facility uses infrared signals that are fired through the guns and received by the laser tag vest worn by the other player which registers onto a computer.

IT and BPO companies, as well as organizations coming from the ICT sector, can participate in the games which is also serving as fund-raising activity of the CyberPress. A participation fee of P5,000 will be charged per team (composed of four members). Food and drinks is included in the fee.

To join, contact Melvin Calimag (melvsgc@yahoo.com) or Relly Carpio (anaksapatero@gmail.com).

Aug 3, 2008

New projector technologies take center stage

Recent improvements in projector technologies have been huge. While LCD and DLP types steadily gained popularity in the consumer projector segment because of their unique advantages in price and performance, new models with improved internal mechanisms are sprouting to pick up an edge in the market.

DLP (Digital Light Processing)
A digital display solution that uses Digital Mirror Device chip with thousands of micro mirrors that modulate light from the lamp, DLPs are known to purge “screen door” effects on the projected image usually seen on LCDs. DLPs are considered to have higher quality video output. Recent developments to enhance color management are geared towards improved DLP color reproduction.

LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)
LCDs or 3LCDs use three red/green/blue LCD glass panels. The RGB panels modulate light that produces the projected image. LCDs produce brighter images than DLPs and are generally used for presentations even in well-lit rooms. Sharper images from LCDs can actually be unflattering for videos which tend to be pixilated. The trio panels make LCDs a bit bulky than DLPs. New LCD technologies tend to compete with portability and video enhancements of DLPs.

LCoS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon)
LCoS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon), the third kid in the major block has become a popular hybrid of LCD and DLP with improved contrast levels over LCDs and crispier images over DLPs. Combining liquid crystals and reflective mirrors make LCoS more expensive than LCD and DLP. LCoS reduces gaps between pixels to produce richer images as compared with the other two.

SXRD (Silicon X-Tal Reflective Display)
Developed by Sony for its new line of projectors, SXRD technology takes LCoS on the next level with an increased pixel density and improvement in inter-pixel gaps. SXRD solves the grey effect on LCoS projectors and advances a new device that vertically aligns liquid crystal materials to achieve higher optical properties and contrast that are previously unachievable in LCD, DLP or LCoS projectors.

D-ILA (Direct-Drive Image Light Amplification)
Optimized for new JVC projectors, D-ILA technology is yet another LCoS innovation with an “image amplifier” design that is able to produce 2048x1536-pixel HDTV performance. D-ILA has its own optical engine to provide full benefits of high-resolution videos from players or PCs while addressing the previous black level issues of LCoS.

4LCD
An innovation of conventional three RGB glass panel LCD systems, 4LCD is Sanyo’s latest projector optical engine which includes a new color control device that controls the amount of yellow light in the projected image to produce higher luminosity and improved color accuracy. 4LCD can generate clearer images and videos that was previously impossible even with high brightness 3LCD projectors.

New generation of 4K projectors on top-of-the-line
Costing millions of pesos and maximized for a massive 50-foot screen, posted at the current highest-end in the fixed-installed projector block are the latest generation of 4K projectors rated at a whopping 4096x2400 resolution. Wow! That’s more than four folds that the most expensive 1080p HDTV can display. You might wonder how Anne Hathaway will look on this enormous screen.

DLP projectors now use LED technology
Promising to transform the projector landscape, new Light Emitting Diode (LED) technologies are now integrated in DLP projectors that will eventually do away with replacement lamp maintenance costs. Mainstream DLP projectors that are widely used are built with digital micro mirrors to modulate light and project images through the lens require lamps that die in a matter of time. Previous LCD projectors that use three legacy panels which are still available require replacement lamps as well. LED-based projectors will also consume less power and run cooler than lamp-based types.

The coming of projector widgets
We are now seeing the dawn of ultra-compact “miniature projectors” that have built-in single-mode RGB lasers to provide LCD-like graphical presentations from a mobile device. These petite gizmos allow users to carry big screens right in their pockets. We might see in the long run not only in mainstream DLP, LCD and LCOS projectors that will hang on to this new technology, but in handheld portable devices as well.

Going Wireless
With rapid changes in how presentations are created for a specific audience, wireless functionality (Wi-Fi and Bluetooth) has become a standard feature on new projectors. Making it easier to switch between multiple sources, wireless projectors also gives more presentation flexibility and mobility for users.

Aug 2, 2008

Digital Video Camera Formats

With a lot of digital video camera types out there, you should be making your choice according to cost and convenience. Although cheaper analogue camcorders are still around, many prefer digital formats for higher resolution recording, more video versatility and compact design. Read on before getting a new digital camcorder.

Digital8
If you’re on budget, Digital8 format is a great choice to make home movies. Considered to be the first upgrade step from analogue to digital, this format records onto legacy 8mm and Hi8 tapes and can play your old analogue recordings. Digital8 types allow you to produce small video clips compressed for the Internet. Like the MiniDV, the Digital8 produces decent studio-quality video with 500 lines of resolution.

MiniDV
Popular among budget buyers and even professional videographers, MiniDV is intended to replace VHS and Hi8. Smaller than 8mm and can record for about an hour of video, MiniDV offer better effects and more superior lenses. Some MiniDVs can take good quality digital still pictures like a professional digital camera.

MicroMV
Ultra-compact MicroMVs camcorders are smaller versions of standard MiniDVs. Designed for portability and easy-of-use, lightweight MicroMVs measure only about 10 x 5 x 7.5cm (HxWxS).

DVD
DVD camcorders allow direct recording onto 8cm DVD-R or DVD-RW discs without the PC and immediately view playbacks on a DVD player. DVD camcorders have enhanced features of MiniDVs and Digital8s plus some special effects.

Hard Disc
This camcorder types sports a built-in hard disc which store digital movies. Hard disk types make it easier for the user to edit, delete and transfer files to the PC.

Memory cards (SD, MS)
Memory card camcorders types are smaller designs and records highly compressed videos mainly for Web sites, blogs and e-mail.

Features WatchList
Lens - at least 10x optical zoom.
Inputs and Outputs - Firewire port, Audid/Video outputs for TV connection, S-Video (Super-Video) cable
Image Stabilization - to avoid "camera jitters"
Still–Photo Capabilities - Many digital camcorders now offer still photo capture features.
Low–Light Performance - Camcorder’s ability to capture video in low-light situations
Battery Life - Check the maximum recording time. Expect to get less than the stated maximum battery life so won’t get frustrated.