Auzentech X-Fi Forte 7,1

  whether you're building the ultimate gaming machine or configuring the best movie-viewing setup, graphics capa­bility is likely at the forefront of your mind. But getting the most out of your media requires a sound card with the best in audio fidelity, and Auzentech's X- Fi Forte 7.1 is just that. The Forte 7.1 builds on Auzentech's previous sound card, the Prelude 7.1. The major difference between the two cards lies...

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Sapphire Vapor-X Radeon HO 4870

t's evident from the box that the Sap­phire Radeon HD 4870's Vapor-X feature is a big deal. Vapor-Xis a newer feature from Sapphire that gives the Radeon HD 4870 superior cooling and quieter operation. Without delving into specifics, Vapor-X technology is similar to a heatpipe, using a hot, flat surface over which a liquid coolant is vaporized and then condensed, all within a small cham­ber mounted on the card. The Radeon HD...

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Solid-State Showdown

Two RAM Leaders' SSDs Square Off   The solid-state storage market has really been heating up as oflate, with a con­stant influx of faster-and sometimes more affordable-drives, in addition to firmware updates that enhance the performance of existing products. For example, fierce memory rivals Corsair and ocz recently began offering new products designed to compete in a few performance...

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Logisys Two Color (Blue/Red) Character-Illuminated Keyboard

The combination of the illuminat­ed keyboard and the hotkeys on the Logisys Two Color (Blue/Red) Character- Illuminated Keyboard (Model KB208BK) makes this an appealing keyboard for those looking to control music on a PC and pull all­nighters in a poorly lit office or dorm room. The slim, black design gives it a sophisticated look, and it has a palm rest with tall legs, which makes the key­board comfortable to use. The keys are...

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Asus N 1 OJC-A 1

we don't care if you call it a net­book or a notebook. The Asus NIO, with a IO.2-inch screen (800 x 480), 1.46-inch maximum thickness, and 3.I-pound weight, is a slick ultra-portable with a sweet surprise. Yes, like other net­books, this one uses the I.6GHz Intel Atom Processor N270 paired with the Intel 945GSE chipset. This means that the Intel GMA 950 graphics engine is built in. However, flip a little switch on the left edge...

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SanQ E2400HD

This 16:9 aspect ratio, 1,920 x 1,080 resolution features HDMI, DVI (with HDCP), and VGA inputs. BenQ also integrates its Senseye+ Photo Image artifacts. The E2400HD also displayed some dark shading at the bottom and top of the screen when displaying bright col­ors. Despite these issues, the E2400 dis­played one of the truest black-and-white gradations...

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Archos 560GB Internet Media Tablet

The Archos 5 Internet Media Tablet (PMP, MID, etc., etc.) is getting a lot of attention lately, and rightly so. It combines the performance, function, and content most of us are looking for in a portable media device: full Web connec­tivity, PC compatibility, music, video, photos, and games. There's even more than that, though. If you're not sold on netbooks and don't want to give in to a smartphone, the Archos 5 is probably...

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AMO Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition

f you just got a brand-new Phenom II X4 940 BE and are kicking yourself for not waiting for the 955 BE, you can stop. The 955 is pretty much the same story as the 940, but with a slightly faster clock (3.2GHz vs. 3GHz, respectively). AMD pulled the same stunt with the Phenom X4 9850 BE and 9950 BE. It's not that the 955 is unimpressive, it's just that it's not any more impressive than its predecessor,...

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Icy Dock MB882SP-1 S

Icy Dock MB882SP-1 S" is a long name for a clever little device that allows you to insert your 2.5-inch SATA notebook hard drive or SSD into a con­verter that effectively makes the drive physically the same size as a 3.5-inch hard drive. The converter solves the problem of trying to fit an SSD or notebook drive into a desktop PC case. Indeed, when a drive is safely inserted into the Icy Dock MB882SP-1S, the whole shebang will...

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Gigabyte's GA-EX58-Extreme

Congrats on the new laptops, Betsy! And yes, we think we can help with your problems. Let's tackle your husband's issue first. Because his machine is on the network and getting Internet access, his problem is most likely related to one of three things: the work­group name, network discovery, or firewall settings. On your hus­band's machine, make sure his workgroup name matches yours (and the WinXP machine's) in the Advanced System...

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Viewsonic VG2428wm

Currently available for about $270 online, the VG2428wm is a scream­ing deal if you want a top-end, 24-inch LCD but not the top-shelf price tag that's often attached to such displays. The VG2428wm supports VGA and DVI-D ports but not HDMI. Instead, you get a two-port USB 2.0 hub and a 3.5mm stereo that feeds the 2W integrated stereo speakers. The speakers are sufficient for voice and YouTube, but you wouldn't want to game with...

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NZXT Phantom

The NZXT Phantom is a full-tower design that will be available in white, black, or red. Also note that the chosen color covers both the exterior and interior of the case. The Phantom has what I'd call an angular design: The front panel has a triangular protrusion at the bottom, with smoother curves up top. The case panels are littered with angular cutouts and metal-mesh perforations. At the top of the Phantom, users...

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