Thermaltake Armor Revo Snow Edition

If you like white cases, Overclockers Club has the Thermaltake Armor Revo Snow Edition strapped to the test bench today for a little review action.

The inside of the Armor Revo is not revolutionary, but the selection of different parts, how they are constructed, and assembled in one case, makes this a very interesting and enjoyable enclosure to work with. There was obviously much thought put into the ergonomics of this case. It shows up in the smooth feel of things that are meant to lock and unlock, plug in and unplug. With three 200 mm fans doing the cooling, the case is also near silent.

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[H]ardware Round-Up

Ad Networks Bypass iPhone Privacy Rules

Please raise your hand if this comes as a surprise to you. Someone will be along shortly with your helmet, crayons and apple sauce.

To avoid the limits of Apple's rules, ad networks that serve advertisements within mobile apps have started using new identifiers that collect information like location and preferences as the user moves across apps. One of the tracking systems is based on a unique identifier located in the iPhone's wireless networking hardwarea system known as Open Device Identification Number, or ODIN. The other prominent tracking alternative, called OpenUDID, uses the device's built-in copy-and-paste function.

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Facebook Pays Interns $74k A Year?

Hey, let's play a game called "Do you make more than a Facebook intern!" Oh c'mon, it'll be fun!

The average monthly salary for a software engineering intern at Facebook is $6,229, according to GlassDoor.com, a site where employees review their companies. Facebook also gives its interns a $1,000 stipend for housing and living expenses, according to the post.

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'Siri, Kill That Guy'

For the record, I think voice controlled drones would be a horrible, horrible idea. As bad as Siri and other gimmicky programs are, I couldn't imagine trying to control a drone with it.

In addition to the Siri-style two-way voice exchange, Patzek says the next-gen controls could include smarter, easier-to-interpret computer displays and tactile feedback from the drone to the operator, much in the way an Xbox controller vibrates to alert a player he’s taking damage within a game.

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E3 Expo 2012 Opening Day

Legit Reviews has a team on the ground in Los Angeles to cover this year's E3.

Over the next three days, Legit Reviews will be on hand to give you a closer look at this Mecca for gamers. We will be concentrating on the hardware-side of things, but as always, we will bring to you what we think will be the hottest software titles for 2012. Of course Nintendo is making big news with the formal introduction of the Wii U, but Sony and Microsoft aren’t done as there are many people here talking about a possible announcement of new hardware by the holidays can you say Xbox 720 or PlayStation 4?

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Radeon HD 7950 vs. GeForce GTX 680 On Linux

The Phoronix crew has pit the Radeon HD 7950 against the GeForce GTX 680 on Linux. All you alternative OS types out there ought to head on over and check it out.

Should you be looking towards purchasing a new high-end graphics card from AMD or NVIDIA, here are some updated benchmarks of the AMD Radeon HD 7950 and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 when both graphics cards were tested under Ubuntu 12.04 with their proprietary Linux graphics drivers.

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Corsair Launches Dominator Platinum DDR3 Memory

Corsair, a worldwide designer and supplier of high-performance components to the PC gaming hardware market, today announced the Dominator Platinum range of DDR3 memory kits, the world’s most technologically-advanced performance memory. The new design adds a customizable light bar to the list of exclusive features, which includes patented DHX cooling, Corsair Link support, and hand-screened, super-overclockable DRAM ICs.

The new Dominator Platinum will be available in dual and quad-channel kits with 8GB, 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB capacities, and frequencies up to 2800MHz. Dominator Platinum DDR3 memory is designed to fully exploit the performance potential of the latest Intel and AMD platforms, including the "Ivy Bridge" 3rd generation Intel Core processor family. All Dominator Platinum kits support Intel's latest XMP 1.3 profiles for easy performance tuning.

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Corsair Announces World’s Most Advanced PC Power Supply

Corsair, a worldwide designer and supplier of high-performance components to the PC gaming hardware market, today announced the Corsair AX1200i Digital ATX Power Supply, the world's most advanced modular power supply for PC gamers and enthusiasts.

The AX1200i's digitally-controlled power circuitry provides incredibly stable voltages, and exceptionally low ripple and noise. These features are aided by the reduced component count and elegant circuit-board layout made possible by the DSP-based design. These design elements also contribute to the AX1200i's 80 PLUS Platinum certification and incredibly high energy-efficiency of up to 92%. The high efficiency also results in reduced heat, allowing the AX1200i to operate in a silent fanless mode until the PSU load reaches 40% of the maximum power rating.

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ASUS Unveils World’s First Thunderbolt Add-On Card At Computex

ASUS stands committed to the belief that motherboard design is not just about pure spec but ensuring a quality design and overall implementation. This is achieved through many means such as sensible layout, flexible I/O connectivity and robust control over parameters of operation. In addition foresight in design can play an important role. ASUS recently launched the world’s first certified native Thunderbolt motherboard with the P8Z77-V Premium. While the Premium leads the industry in respect to connectivity and overall functionality it carries a flagship price for its premium feature set. ASUS had kept this in mind along with thinking about how to best support the advanced new interconnect that is Thunderbolt. With this in mind ASUS is proud to unveil its exclusive Thunderbolt upgrade solution for its line of Z77 and H77 motherboards. The ThunderboltEX card is the first add-on card on the market enabling an easy way to upgrade ASUS motherboards with the latest I/O. This is proof in having foresight in design as compatible boards had to have a special TB header in place to support this upgrade.

Working with a specially-reserved header on select ASUS Z77 and H77 motherboards, users can connect / link devices to the ThunderboltEX card’s Thunderbolt port for an easy connectivity upgrade. ThunderboltEX plugs into the bottom PCIe slot, taking up a x4 link. It then connects to the Thunderbolt header on the motherboard using a system link cable, and to the DisplayPort-out at the back of the motherboard via a DisplayPort cable. Once all hooked up, users can plug devices to the ThunderboltEX card’s Thunderbolt port, gaining access to 10Gbps data transfer and video connectivity with support for up to six daisy-chained devices and a seventh device in the form of a Thunderbolt or DisplyPort Monitor. This add-on card additionally is fully transparent and provides the same performance and functionality as native solutions including Hot Plug support.

As the world’s first dedicated Thunderbolt add-on card, ThunderboltEX works with a range of ASUS Z77 and H77 motherboards that feature Thunderbolt headers. The cards system link cable ensure full Thunderbolt functionality as well as ensures only compatible ASUS Z77 and H77 motherboards are supported.

ASUS accepts no compromises in motherboard specifications and features, providing an instant upgrade while ensuring the ThunderboltEX pass through retains the full performance of Thunderbolt specifications. By doing so, ASUS enables more users the flexibility to choose whether they wish to upgrade to Thunderbolt, making compatible motherboards highly future-proof.

*The ThunderboltEX card is currently awaiting Thunderbolt device certification further announcements will follow soon.

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GALAXY GeForce GTX 670 GC

Our evaluation of the GALAXY GeForce GTX 670 GC is now online for your viewing pleasure. If you like your video cards factory OC'd with a cool and quiet custom cooling solution, this could be the card for you.

GALAXY's new GeForce GTX 670 GC features a dual fan setup on a custom built PCB. GALAXY also tuned 670 GC with a strong 1006MHz overclock. We see how this compares to other video cards in its price range including a Radeon HD 7950 and GeForce GTX 580. Then we put the GALAXY GeForce GTX 670 head to head with a GeForce GTX 680.

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SilverStone Fortress FT03-MINI Case

If you are looking for a little case that supports big hardware, the SilverStone Fortress FT03-MINI case might be just what you are looking for.

We were really impressed by the SilverStone Fortress FT-03-MINI. Its look and feel is top notch, and you will be able to build a small yet powerful computer using it. The only negative is its price, but we have to take into consideration that it uses thick aluminum panels, which are expensive.

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Thermaltake Water 2.0 Pro Cooler

The crew at TechwareLabs have the Thermaltake Water 2.0 Pro all-in-one self-contained water cooling unit on the test bench this afternoon.

Closed loop water cooling is the big topic of the cooling world right now. The newest entrant into that scene is Thermaltake with their Water 2.0 series. Today we take a look at the Pro model, with an extra thick 120mm radiator. But will it stand up to a comparable high-end air cooler?

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Patriot Memory Releases New Viper 3 High Performance DRAM

Patriot Memory, a global pioneer in high-performance memory, NAND flash, storage and enthusiast computer products today introduces their new Viper 3 memory series. Specifically engineered for rock solid performance in the most demanding computer environments, Patriot Memory’s Viper 3 Series is designed with true power users in mind. Available in a customized four color line up with specific performance variants, the Viper 3 Series will offer a wide range of performance solutions.

Leading the pack, the Black Mamba will feature speeds from 1600 MHz up to 2133 MHz at 1.5 volts for increased stability and endurance. Providing speeds of 1600MHz up to 2133MHz, the Venom Red and Sapphire Blue modules will offer true killer high performance for enthusiast gaming and the most demanding applications. With full Intel XMP certification, the Sapphire Blue will be the ultimate gaming solution for use with Intel platforms and overclocking profiles. Offering an ecofriendly solution, the Jungle Green modules will feature a power draw of only 1.35 volts.

The Patriot Memory Viper 3 Series utilizes a custom designed high performance heat shield with superior heat dissipation for rock solid stability and reliability, even when used with the most taxing applications. The Viper 3 Series is built from only high quality materials and hand tested to ensure compatibility with Intel and AMD processors. Available in dual and quad channel kits, up to 32GBs and in single 4GB and 8GB DIMMs, Patriot Memory’s Viper 3 modules are backed by a lifetime warranty.

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Dead Space 3 Official Trailer

The official Dead Space 3 trailer is now out. Just FYI, there is a bit of NSFW language in the trailer so put on your headphones or turn it down if needed.

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Sexual Harassment In The World of Video Gaming

The author of this hard hitting editorial has apparently just discovered online gaming. Let us be the first to welcome him to the internet.

The recordings end up on Haniver's website, Not in the Kitchen Any More. She plays in the evening after college and says most nights she'll have to deal with harassment of some kind. Some of it just puerile, but some is graphic and threatening.

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MSI Interceptor Series Ravager

TestFreaks has a one page mini-review of the MSI Interceptor Series Ravager posted today that some of you may be interested in. Here's a quote:

The Ravager is marketed as a gaming case and as such is designed to look unique and it has claw marks on it. Most of the case is black and the claw marks are blue or more turquoise really. The front of the case has claw marks that go from front bezel to over the top.

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Halo 4 E3 Trailer

Microsoft showed off a new Halo 4 trailer at E3 today with actual gameplay footage in it. Thanks to the 3 million people that sent this one in.

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Flame Virus Could Exploit Windows Flaw

The Microsoft Security Response Center blog has issued a warning about the new Flame virus. Hit the link for all the info or fire up Windows Update for the patch.

We have discovered through our analysis that some components of the malware have been signed by certificates that allow software to appear as if it was produced by Microsoft. We identified that an older cryptography algorithm could be exploited and then be used to sign code as if it originated from Microsoft. Specifically, our Terminal Server Licensing Service, which allowed customers to authorize Remote Desktop services in their enterprise, used that older algorithm and provided certificates with the ability to sign code, thus permitting code to be signed as if it came from Microsoft.

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[H]ardware Round-Up

Self Portrait Machine

Can't draw worth crap? Don't have an artistic bone in your body? This self-portrait machine could help.

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Gaming [H]eadlines

Max Payne 3 IQ & Performance Preview & Reviewers Guide

For those of you that haven't read it yet, make sure you give our Max Payne 3 IQ and performance preview & reviewers guide a look, there is some really good info in there.

HardOCP is on top of Max Payne 3 to find out what graphics options it supports and how a GTX 680 and a Radeon HD 7970 perform. We also wanted to know if SLI and CrossFireX worked, and how performance scales. In this preview of performance and image quality we take a look at all of this in the first chapter of this game.

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Stuffed Cat Quadrotor Video of the Day

Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's a quadrotor stuffed cat!

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10 Years Ago Today: Computex Needs More Ass...Man

Computex kicks off tomorrow and, thanks to our handy Ten Years Ago Today button in the top right hand corner of the page, we are reminded that Computex always needs a little more ass....man.