Via K8T900 and Dual Chrome S27 rig tested

TOM'S HARDWARE takes a hard look at the performance delta between the PCI Express and PCI-X interface. While they do not come into competition directly, both interfaces actually aim for the same market. TH used two SATA2 RAID controllers which differed from each other only by their interface. In the end though, while performance is similar, the fact that PCI Express has some inherent features absent in the spec list of the PCI-X gives it the final advantage.

The launch of the K8T900 chipset will hopefully change VIA being perceived as an Underdog. The chipset is the first from VIA to provide Multi GPU support. It supports SATA2, NCQ, HD Audio, RAID5 and quite a few PCI Express lanes. Techreport actually did a preview of it since some features were not available on the board. They got to run a Dual Chrome S27 setup on the motherboard. Chances that they beat a pair of 6600 for much less are quite high. No dates though as when they will be marketed.

The BTX format is taking excruciatingly long to be adopted. This hasn't prevented Gigabyte from launching a PicoBTX format SFF. The Gigabyte CB91 PicoBTX Barebone is reminescent of the usual mATX SFFs available on the market.The board is particularly well laid and the interior seems to be well suited for a full packed system. De facto, this SFF can handle two 5.25-inch Optical drives. While it is marginally more silent than the test system, it is much cooler than the other one.

NGOHQ has posted a mini review of the Nvidia 7800GS. The story behind how they got the card is pretty intriguing, it was apparently a PR error and they manage to get an engineering sample. The card looks just like a normal off the shelf 7800GT. Performance wise, it lags behind the GT in 3Dmark but overclocking puts it right in the race in everything including DOOM3.

Imagine the sound of silence. That's what inspired Zalman to create the TNN300 Chassis, the ultra expensive Totally No Noise tower. Gamepc checked it and was not let down. The case comes with a huge grid covered with black fins. The casing itself is completely black and comes with a matching remote control that looks better than most Media XP CE remotes. Still doesn't support full size ATX and you can't put whatever GPU in there. Verdict; eagerly awaiting for the third generation.

Now if Zalman was only surviving on superbly expensive components, it wouldn't probably survive, fortunately, they have a range of quite affordable passive coolers, PCW has previewed a couple of them, the ZM-VHS1 and the ZM-NB32K. Buying the pair shouldn't cost you more than a tenner, which is not bad considering Zalman's pedigree. µ