MSI AM2 motherboard snapped

IT-REVIEWS has some very nice photos of the new MSI AM2 based motherboards. The MSI K9N SLI Platinum for example comes with the nForce 570 SLI MCP with dual GbE LAN, Firewire, six SATA2 and ten USB 2.0 ports plus even more, including a more price sensitive version called the MSI K9N Platinum which comes with a slightly smaller set of features. All the motherboards are equipped with Dual Core Cell which combine with VGA Corecell 3D.

Overclex - a French website - reviews the Corsair Nautilus 500 which was covered in these columns a few days ago. This is a water cooler system which combines a good price, easy installation and delivering performance to match the investment. The Nautilus comes in the form of a black box which sits nicely on a tower casing - providing you have one. It would not look out of place underneath a SFF cube though.

Rustedreviews slightly changed its design to make it easier to navigate. This time around, they review the TRENDnet HotFlash TEW-429UF. This is a hot-spot detector with a added bonus of 512MB memory. The TEW-429UF also offers a two line LCD panel and comes with a couple of accessories. The 429UF is charged via the USB port but cannot function as a WAP, which some of the competition can.

BIOSmagazine reports on the latest version of ACID Pro, version 6, from Sony - who purchased the desktop division of Sonic Foundry back in 2003. This music production application is heads and shoulders above the competition according to the reviewer. Barring the Windows only support and the ugly interface. The ACID Pro version 6 introduces the Native Instruments' Kompact and comes with some very useful tools and the ability to mix in 5.1 channel surround.

Overclockers Online tests the Powercolor X1900XTX 512MB video card, which is one of the most powerful video cards to have graced the motherboards of Gamers. At $609, it is not cheap but you do get value for money - the box includes the card as well as several adapters and cables. Performance is mind boggling and although it is wieldy, it will find its place in your casing provided you have enough money, enough space and don't mind the noise.

Proclockers tests the Aerocool Xfire Cooler. This is a CPU cooler which integrates a powerful superconductor heatpipe technology according to the box. It is quite light when compared to others out there, it is less noisy than most other heat sink fans solutions and it helped cool other components. Would be a nice addition to that other 250mm fan case from Aerocool. µ