Socket 939 Sempron 3000+ gains kudos

CRUIAL sent a pair of its Ballistix 1GB PC3200 DDR memory modules to Bonafide Reviews. Those top of the range components target enthusiasts. DDR memory have already passed the maturation stage and are on the way to the grave as DDR2 memory comes forward. The modules compare favorably with OCZ for example in terms of performance but are more expensive.

Hardocp tests the Albatron K8SLI motherboard which according to the reviewer is a no-nonsense, inexpensive SLI. No eye catching feature in the spec list; Albatron does have a back up BIOS card. Average board at best, won't win any trophies - too many issues and only run-of-the-mill performance.

Beyond3d has a 2-in-1 hardware article. Abit X800XL cards are covered. The first is the Fatal1ty X800XL and the second is the RX800XL 256EDVIO; both are based on the R430 GPU with slightly more features. The first one has 512MB memory while the second one has only half. In the end though, the performance difference does not justify the 30%+ difference in price between the two products.

Xbitlabs reveals the AMD Sempron 3000+ for Socket 939 in an article called a secret disclosed. It is quite surprising though that the Celeron D 351 tested rivals even the A64 3000+ in some benchmarks in everything except games. The Sempron 3000+ does overclock very well - up to the speeds of an Athlon 3800+ and it is cheap as chips.

Gognet has a laconic test of the MGE Magnum 500 which is a pseudo-fanless model - the fan spins when the 350w threshold is crossed. The unit even comes with a LCD displauy as we'll as modular cables and all sorts of protection. Nice silent PSU, if you do not exceed the 350w limit.

Polish website Nvision has some close up pics of the DMS crossfire connector on an ATI card - which is used to connect two Crossfire compatible cards. The card comes in a dual slot format with a huge, arctic cooler like HSF. Be careful when you connect cards externally, especially, when you do not have enough space behind your desk.