Sempron beats Pentium M

PCSTATS REPORTS on the Intel Pentium M 740 1.73GHz socket 479 Processor. Funny that they do a review of a single-core CPU when dual and multicores are out there. The P-M is sold without a heatsink and in a 479-pin format, almost yesterday's technology. Only 2MB L2 cache and a 533MHz FSB. Performance is very good as long as you pair it up with enough memory and a decent video card, if you are looking to play games. Hence this is no slouch but, as a single core CPU, it fails to compete with all the dual-core muscle out there and, surprisingly, even with a Sempron 3600+.

Bit tech has a look at six different Geforce 7900GS videocards from BFGTech, EVGA, Galaxy, Inno3D, Point Of View and XFX. The cards are compared to the X1900GT and the X1800GTO. In a nutshell, solid, mid range, £200-poundish models. Galaxy can overclock like crazy as you might expect with that silent Zalman fan but it is the eVGA card that is given the recommended gong because it comes with that 90-day step-up programme, it is HDCP capable and cheapo.

Virtual-Hideout plays with the Zalman Reserator2 watercooling kit which replaces the Researator1, also known as metal Ghurkin. This one comes with a reservoir, a decent radiator and a water pump. Other bits and pieces include a CPU water block and accessories for your GPU and your chipset. This time around, Zalman chose a sleeker, less controversial design which looks more like an oil heater panel. Good results and performances.

OCZ Cryo-Z CPU Cooler, that's the peripheral previewed at Hardwaresecrets. It is a CPU cooler that is based on Phase Changing Cooling, same technology used in refrigerators. It is advised to cover the motherboard with silicone probably to prevent water condensation from playing nasty tricks with the electronics. Cooling tests will be provided in part two of the review.

Hardware-review.net tests the Thermaltake Toughpower 700W power supply. Gloosy outside, larger dimensions and a 140mm fan help to give it a look that is more impressive than other models. But the fan is silent even if it is rated at 1900rpm. No modular cable design here, although Thermaltake took extra care in sleeving all the cables in black mesh and threw in 20 connectors including six SATA power ones.

Mektumods checks the Logitech G3 Laser mouse. It is a wired model but is aiming at left and right users. Rather than using the usual red light, the Logitech G3 uses a laser which gives it more accuracy. Note though that there is no USB to PS2 converter and that the mouse looks a bit like one of Razor mice I saw some times back. It is light though and is highly sensitive. Logitech brought in the sensitivity changing button which allows you to change this variable on the fly. µ