Volume 2, Issue 5

 Downloadable Version
(.pdf format)

May, 2003
In this edition:
 
Radeon 9800 Pro
Look out Nvidia!
ATI has released their newest video card, the Radeon 9800 PRO to the dismay of the Pro Nvidia crowd.  Hot on the heels of the GeForce FX release, ATI has once again snapped back to re-claim the title of "Top Dog" from it's competitor.

Comparison Chart:

Card / Specs Core Type Core Clock Core Process Memory Type Memory Size Memory Speed
ATI Radeon 9800 Pro ATI R350

380MHz.
(Up from 325 Mhz on the 9700 Pro)

 .15 micron DDR 128MB 340MHz.
(Up from 310 on the 9700 Pro)
Nvidia GeForce FX 5800 Ultra Nvidia NV30 500MHz. .13 micron DDR-II 128MB 500MHz.

Benchmark testing by hardware magazines and web sites have the ATI card beating the Nvidia card at more than half of the standard benchmarks that are run today. This may be attributed to ATI's small upgrades such as a 17% increase in the Core Clock speed and a 10% increase in the Memory speed.

ATI has included version 2.1 of their SmartShader technology. This technology allows shader programs, of any size, to be sent to the GPU without being broken up. This allows the GPU to execute the instructions at one time instead of having to use multi-pass rendering. HYPERZ III+ has been updated over the 9700's version which will increase performance when working with stencil buffers. These buffers come into play heavily with games that use a lot of real time shadowing such as Doom III.

Here's a few tantalizing screenshots from the current ATI Radeon 9800 Pro Demos:

The time at the top may end up being shorter than ATI anticipates though. Rumors abound that the follow on to the current GeForce FX, known as the NV35 for now, may be out as soon as May. Whenever the next greatest card hits the streets is not quite as certain as the fact that the ones who truly benefit from this game of back and forth are the consumers. We are realizing incredible technology growth at breakneck speeds with little to no cost increase over the previous generation of video card technology.
 
Spyware / Adware
Having your computer become overrun with Spyware or Adware has become almost more annoying than if it was infected by a virus. Spyware has become a significant threat to system security and stability. In recent months, the proliferation of Spyware has become staggering. Have you been noticing system lag? Is your PC taking longer to boot up than it previously has? There's a good chance that you have become burdened with Spyware.

 

What is Spyware?
Spyware is software which is unknowingly installed onto your computer under the guise of free software, or advertisements. Spyware collects information from various places on your PC and sends it to the party designated in the Spyware package. This party can be advertisers, e-mail harvesters, or pretty much anyone else who decides that they have an interest in whatever may be on your computer.

Take this little quiz to find out if your machine has been corrupted by Spyware!

  1. Have you been noticed an increase in the amount of "Spam" that you are receiving?
  2. Do you download music files from the internet?
  3. Have you installed any free programs from the internet?
  4. Do you use file sharing programs?
  5. Do you click on pop up ads?

If you have answered "Yes" to any of the above questions, then you probably are the proud owner of at least 1 of the many different brands of Spyware which are wandering the net.

Partial Listing of Spyware companies

 
  • Radiate (Aureate)
  • Flycast
  • Adforce
  • Teknosurf
  • Flyswat
  • Comet Cursor
  • Cydoor

 
  • Matchlogic
  • Gator
  • AdSoftware (Aureate / Radiate)
  • Doubleclick
  • Adsmart
  • Web3000
  • Adserver

 
  • Qualcomm
  • Conducent
  • GoHip
  • Real Networks
  • WebFerret
  • Worldonline
  • Webhancer

 
How can you prevent Spyware?

Several companies now provide software, free and licensed, that you can use to weed out Spyware from your system. Like Antivirus software, your system should not be without this valuable tool.

Spyware / Adware Blocking Software

Although many companies make Spyware removal software, we have tested and recommend Ad-aware by Lavasoft and Spyware/Adware Remover by Bullet Proof Software. Both of these companies make a fine product and update their data files constantly.

 

New Supermicro Server Products and Barebones
Supermicro has released a number of innovative new products the last couple of months that you may not be aware of.  Their excellent product line is engineered with the very latest Server technology and their Dual XEON Barebones are designed with fully integrated rackmounts and power supplies so configuration is a snap.  Here we will show you the best new products and their primary features.

SuperMicro Motherboards
ASI SKU # Model Chipset CPU (FSB) MAX RAM PCI Slots SCSI ZCR Slot LAN VGA Audio
19246 X5DP8-G2 Intel E7501 Dual XEON (533/ 400) 16GB ECC Registered DDR 6 2 channel Ultra320 Yes 2x G-bit ATI RageXL -
19245 X5DPE-G2 Intel E7501 Dual XEON (533/ 400) 16GB ECC Registered DDR 6 - - 2x G-bit ATI RageXL -
20311 X5DAL-TG2 Intel E7505 Dual XEON (533/ 400) 8GB ECC Registered DDR 4 4 channel SATA (IDE) - G-bit 8x AGP -
18338 X5DA8 Intel E7505 Dual XEON (533/ 400) 12GB ECC Registered DDR 5 2 channel Ultra320 Yes G-bit 8x AGP 6ch. surr.
18610 X5DAE Intel E7505 Dual XEON (533/ 400) 12GB ECC Registered DDR 5 - - G-bit 8x AGP 6ch. surr.
19274 / 19945 X5DEI-GG ServerWorks GC-SL Dual XEON (533/ 400) 4GB ECC Registered DDR 5 - - 2x G-bit ATI RageXL -
19181 X5DL8-GG ServerWorks GC-LE Dual XEON (533/ 400) 16GB ECC Registered DDR 6 2 channel Ultra320 Yes 2x G-bit ATI RageXL -
19073 X5DE8 ServerWorks GC-SL Dual XEON (533/ 400) 4GB ECC Registered DDR 5 2 channel Ultra320 Yes 2x G-bit ATI RageXL -
19778 P4DC6+II Intel 860 Dual XEON (400) 2 GB RDRAM 6 2 channel Ultra160 Yes Intel 82559 LAN AGP 4x -
19777 P4DCE+II Intel 860 Dual XEON (400) 2 GB RDRAM 6 - - Intel 82559 LAN  AGP 4x -
20020 X5SS8-GM ServerWorks GC-SL Single XEON (533/ 400) 4 GB ECC Registered DDR 5 2 channel Ultra320 Yes G-bit ATI RageXL -
20021 X5SSE-GM ServerWorks GC-SL Single XEON (533/ 400) 4 GB ECC Registered DDR 5 - - G-bit ATI RageXL -

SuperMicro "SuperServer" Barebones
ASI SKU Model Case Size MB CPU MAX RAM PCI Slots SCSI ZCR Slots LAN Power Supply VGA HDD Bays
20086 613XI 1U X5DPR-iG2  Dual XEON (533/ 400) 12GB ECC Registered DDR  2 -  - 100/1GB 400W  ATI RageXL  3 IDE
20087  613XIB 1U X5DPR-iG2   Dual XEON (533/ 400)  12GB ECC Registered DDR  2  - -   100/1GB 400W  ATI RageXL   3 IDE
19165  7043-A8RB Tower / 4U  X5DA8  Dual XEON (533/ 400)  12GB ECC Registered DDR  5  2 channel Ultra320  Yes  G-bit Triple Redundant 600W  8x AGP slot 7 Hot-swap Ultra320 SCA SCSI 
19752 7043-P8R Tower / 4U  X5DP8-G2  Dual XEON (533/ 400)  16GB ECC Registered DDR 6  2 channel Ultra320  Yes  2x G-bit Triple Redundant 600W  ATI RageXL  10 Hot-swap Ultra320/160 SCA SCSI 
19753  7043-P8RB Tower / 4U  X5DP8-G2  Dual XEON (533/ 400)  16GB ECC Registered DDR 6  2 channel Ultra320  Yes  2x G-bit Triple Redundant 600W  ATI RageXL  10 Hot-swap Ultra320/160 SCA SCSI 
19760  5013SiB 1U  X5SS8-GM  Single XEON (533/ 400) 4 GB ECC Registered DDR   5  2 channel Ultra320  Yes  G-bit 400W  ATI RageXL   2 Hot-swap Ultra320/160 SCA
19609 6023P8 2U  X5DP8-G2 Single XEON (533/ 400)   16GB ECC Registered DDR 6  2 channel Ultra320  Yes  2x G-bit 400W  ATI RageXL  10 Hot-swap Ultra320/160 SCA SCSI 
New SuperMicro Cases
For more information go to www.supermicro.com
 
Kingston HyperX DDR


Have you been looking for high quality performance memory for your system builds? ASI now sells Kingston's HyperX memory products. These memory modules are CAS2 Low Latency Timing, come equipped with heat sinks, and have a lifetime warranty from Kingston.

It's common knowledge that the gaming industry is one of the main reasons that PC technology advances at the rate that it does. Without the need for life like graphics, insane processing speed and simultaneous access to online applications, (game servers), who knows when we would have broken the AGP 2x video, or 2GHz processing barriers. Along with those advances, recently we have been seeing much attention being paid to the memory subsystems of the PC. Designed for gamers, and power users alike, Kingston has released HyperX memory modules. These modules are designed with aluminum heat spreaders covering the chips to increase thermal dissipation. The modules are also designed for aggressive timing so if you are inclined to push the limits of your hardware, this memory can take all that you have to dish out.

Kingston HyperX Features:
  • 184-pin Unbuffered DDR Modules:
    • PC2700 333MHz settings: 2-2-2-5-1 (CAS Latency 2)
    • PC3000 370MHz settings: 2-2-2-6-1 (CAS Latency 2)
    • PC3200 400MHz settings: 2-2-2-6-1 (CAS Latency 2)
    • PC3500 434MHz settings: 2-3-3-7-1 (CAS Latency 2)
  • Aluminum heat spreader for thermal diffusion
  • PCB height: 1.200” (30.48mm)

 

ASI SKU Module Size Description Kingston Part #
20285 256MB 333MHz DDR Non-ECC CL2 DIMM KHX2700/256
19695 256MB 370MHz DDR Non-ECC CL2 DIMM KHX3000/256
20284 256MB 400MHz DDR Non-ECC CL2 DIMM KHX3200/256
19780 256MB 434MHz DDR Non-ECC CL2 DIMM KHX3500/256
20283 512MB 333MHz DDR Non-ECC CL2 DIMM KHX2700/512
19694 512MB 370MHz DDR Non-ECC CL2 DIMM KHX3000/512
20282 512MB 400MHz DDR Non-ECC CL2 DIMM KHX3200/512
19781 512MB 434MHz DDR Non-ECC CL2 DIMM KHX3500/512
Current AGP 8X Video Cards
AGP 8X capability is quickly being integrated into the top manufacturers video cards. Cards that were released at AGP 4X have been re-released with 8X capabilities. We have put together a list of all of our current video cards which support AGP 8x.
 
Segment SKU Manufacturer Model Chipset Memory Features
Enthusiast 20570 eVGA GeForce FX 5200 Nvidia GeForce FX 128MB DDR TV Out, DVI
20571 eVGA GeForce FX 5200 Nvidia GeForce FX 64MB DDR TV Out, DVI
20738 Jaton 3DForce FX 5200 Nvidia GeForce FX 128MB DDR TV Out, DVI
20735 XFX (Pine) GeForce FX 5200 Nvidia GeForce FX 128MB DDR DVI, TV Out
19833 TYAN G9700Pro ATI Radeon 9700 128MB DDR DVI, TV Out, HW Monitoring
Mainstream 19455 XFX (Pine) GeForce 4 Ti4200 Nvidia GeForce 4 128MB DDR DVI, TV Out
19456 XFX (Pine) GeForce 4 Ti4200 Nvidia GeForce 4 128MB DDR DVI, VIVO, TV Out
18883 Daytona GeForce 4 Ti4200 Nvidia GeForce 4 128MB DDR TV Out
19240 Jaton 3DForce 4 Ti4200 Nvidia GeForce 4 128MB DDR TV Out, DVI
19241 Jaton 3DForce 4 Ti4200 Nvidia GeForce 4 128MB DDR VIVO, TV Out, DVI
18458 MSI G4Ti4200-VP8X (MS-8899) Nvidia GeForce 4 128MB DDR Dual VGA, VIVO, TV Out
18780 MSI G4Ti4200-VTD8X (MS-8894) Nvidia GeForce 4 128MB DDR DVI-I, VIVO, TV Out
19284 MSI G4Ti4200-TD8X (MS-8894) Nvidia GeForce 4 128MB DDR DVI-I, TV Out
19394 MSI G4Ti4600-TD8X (MS-8900) Nvidia GeForce 4 128MB DDR DVI, TV Out
19395 MSI G4Ti4600-VT2D8X (MS-8900) Nvidia GeForce 4 128MB DDR VIVO, 2 DVI-I, TV Out
18936 ABIT Siluro GF4 Ti4200 Nvidia GeForce 4 64MB DDR DVI-I, TV Out
18937 ABIT Siluro GF4 Ti4200 Nvidia GeForce 4 128MB DDR DVI-I, TV Out
18938 ABIT Siluro GF4 Ti4200 Nvidia GeForce 4 128MB DDR OTES, DVI-I, TV Out
18984 ASUS V9280 GeForce 4 Ti4200 Nvidia GeForce 4 64MB DDR TV Out, DVI
19616 Gainward GF4 Ti4200 Ultra 650-8X Nvidia GeForce 4 64MB DDR  
25074 Gainward GF4 Ti4200 Ultra 650-8X Nvidia GeForce 4 64MB DDR  
18963 MSI G4Ti4200-TD8X64 (MS-8894) Nvidia GeForce 4 64MB DDR DVI, TV Out
Value 18297 DFI X400-T2 SiS Xabre 400 64MB DDR  
18225 ECS AG200T8-D64 SiS Xabre 200 64MB DDR TV Out
19454 XFX (Pine) GeForce 4 MX440 Nvidia GeForce 4 MX 128MB DDR VIVO, DVI, TV Out
18435 ABIT Siluro GF4 MX-8X Nvidia GeForce 4 MX 64MB DDR DVI, TV Out
18845 Daytona GeForce 4 MX440 Nvidia GeForce 4 MX 64MB DDR TV Out, DVI
20688 Daytona GeForce 4 MX440 Nvidia GeForce 4 MX 64MB DDR TV Out, DVI
18212 eVGA e-GeForce4 MX 440 Nvidia GeForce 4 MX 64MB DDR DVI, VIVO
18413 eVGA e-GeForce4 MX 440 Nvidia GeForce 4 MX 64MB DDR TV Out, DVI
20572 eVGA GF4 MX 440 Personal Cinema Nvidia GeForce 4 MX 64MB DDR VIVO, TV Out
18339 Gainward GeForce 4 MX 440 Nvidia GeForce 4 MX 64MB DDR TV Out, DVI
18340 Gainward GF4 MX 440 Golden Sample Nvidia GeForce 4 MX 64MB DDR VIVO, TV Out, DVI
18469 Jaton GeForce 4 MX 440 Nvidia GeForce 4 MX 64MB DDR TV Out, DVI
18064 MSI G4MX440-VTD8X (MS-8888) Nvidia GeForce 4 MX 64MB DDR Dual VGA, VIVO, DVI
18356 MSI G4MX440-T8X (MS-8890) Nvidia GeForce 4 MX 64MB DDR TV Out
20548 MSI G4MX440-T8X (MS-8895) Nvidia GeForce 4 MX 64MB DDR TV Out
19452 XFX (Pine) GeForce 4 MX 440 Nvidia GeForce 4 MX 64MB DDR TV Out
19453 XFX (Pine) GeForce 4 MX 440 Nvidia GeForce 4 MX 64MB DDR DVI, TV Out

See You Next Month!