HKEPC reviews the X800GT

VR ZONE checks a therboard from the silent Giant Foxconn, its ht955X7AA-8EKRS2 is the one under test. Based on the 955x chipset, it is both mundane and cheap. But it does not skip on features - HD Audio, SATA 2 support, three Firewire ports and dual GbE; ample stuff for the enthusiast. But the lack of overclocking options as well as low FSB might put some off.

Anandtech reviews the Gigabyte iRam, which Anand calls affordable Solid State Storage, not nearly for the shallow pockets though. At $150 the card alone, it is not cheap. Loads of tests as usual and photos and scenarii as well. Performance increases are not as much as one would expect unfortunately and the storage capacity offered often pales in comparison to today's. In other word, why buy an iRam when for the same price, you can add a couple of GB to your system memory AND add a couple of Raptors in RAID 0.

Our second Singaporean website, Hardwarezoom explores the Gigabyte GA-8i945Pro motherboard. Almost the same set of connectors and features as the Foxconn motherboard above. Nothing much separates the two chipsets also - i945p and 955x. Easytune, GByte overclocking software offers many options for overclocking within windows and the fact that Gbyte gives attention to small details - locking mechanism and colour coded connectors for eg, makes that board a good buy.

Another Singaporean website, Hardwarezone revisits the Powercolor Radeon X800XL 512MB PCIe card and explores the power of a BIOS upgrade. Definite performance improvements, often in the range of 15% were noticed as the Nouveau Bios kicked in. HWZ wondered if this could be replicated on 256MB XLs though.

Chinese website "HKEPC" which by the way always get first exclusive reviews - iRam, Crossfire, ULI1595 etc - managed to review what they call a 6600GT killer, the Radeon X800GT. The card tested is from HIS. First thing you notice is the absence of RAM sinks which does not bode well for overclocking. The core/clock default is 470/490MHz. Apart from the Rage theater and its poor overclocking, it kicks the a** of both the 6600GT and the 6800LE. But given that the last two can be purchased for around £100, the X800GT has a mountain to climb.

Trusted Reviews tests the Samsung X50 HWM 760 saying that it is a stylish notebook meant to compete with the likes of Sony and Apple. With a widescreen resolution of 1600x1050, it offers 50 per cent more real estate than my 18 inch LCD and packs more oomph than many similarly priced posh lappies - 2GHz P-M, DVD writer, X600 graphics, 80GB HDD. There may be cheaper laptops but none strike the balance the X50 achieves. µ