Reviews 51914 Published by

TechwareLabs reviews the OCZ ELV Platinum DDR3 1600 4GB RAM Kit. Other new reviews:

- HP Envy 14 Notebook Review
- The DROID Pro Preview
- Thermaltake BlacX 5G USB 3.0 HDD Docking Station Review
- Azza Hurrican 2000 Case Review
- Swann Security OutbackCam Camera and Video Recorder Review
- Cirago HydraDisplay X3 Displayport to 3 DVI Multimonitor Adapter
- Thermaltake BlacX 5G USB 3.0 Docking Station Review
- ASUS Radeon HD 5870 ROG Matrix and V2 Graphics Cards Reviewed
- Sunrise AS-Feeling Earbuds Review
- ASUS GeForce GTS 450 DirectCU TOP: Cool and Affordable
- ASRock 890GX Extreme4 and 890FX Deluxe4 Motherboard Reviews



OCZ ELV Platinum DDR3 1600 4GB RAM Kit Review
TechwareLabs reviews the OCZ ELV Platinum DDR3 1600 4GB RAM Kit

Something everyone needs more of is RAM. RAM (memory) is easily the cheapest upgrade you can add to your machine, and is easily the fastest growing specification in the computer build specs. Today we have the OCZ DDR3 PC3-12800 Platinum Extreme Low Voltage CL 9 Dual Channel 4GB kit for our testing pleasure, see why we voted it our Approved Hardware Award.
Read more

HP Envy 14 Notebook Review
TechSpot posted a review on the HP Envy 14 Notebook

Earlier this summer HP expanded their popular Envy notebook line with the introduction of the Envy 14 and Envy 17 models. The two new releases build on the success of last year's Envy offerings and bring several new hardware options to the table as well as a lower introductory price point. Today we will look at the smaller 14-inch version.

The Envy 14 starts at $999.99 with an Intel Core i3 processor and scales up to the Core i7. The configuration of our review system costs $1,390 with an upgraded Intel Core i5 450M processor operating at 2.4 GHz with Turbo Boost up to 2.66 GHz, 4GB DDR3 system memory (two modules), a Seagate Momentus 500GB 7200 RPM hard drive, 1GB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5650 switchable graphics, a 14.5" HP Radiance display running at 1600 x 900 resolution, SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-R/RW with Double Layer Support, Intel Wireless-N Card with Bluetooth and an 8-cell Lithium Ion battery.

First impressions can mean a lot and when I opened the lid of the Envy for the first time, I was certainly impressed. The keyboard design, aluminum construction and glossy full size display are all reminiscent of an Apple product. It's hard not to make that comparison when looking at the Envy. That used to be the case with the original 13-inch model, and the same remains true here, but that can only be a good thing. Read on as we take a look at the Envy 14 in more detail.
Read more

The DROID Pro Preview
ThinkComputers.org posted a preview on the DROID Pro

Enter the Droid Pro; Reminiscent of the Motorola Q it has RIM users double taking. This baby is Android 2.2 powerhouse featuring a 1GHz processor, 5MP Camera, Capacitive Touchscreen, and a super sexy full QWERTY keyboard. Unless the screen is illuminated you’d never be able to tell this wasn’t a Blackberry. The screen is a bit larger than your standard RIM device but that’s so is the Torch’s screen. Potentially this will be the standard size screen on devices of this type.
Read more

Thermaltake BlacX 5G USB 3.0 HDD Docking Station Review
OCC has published a review on the Thermaltake BlacX 5G USB 3.0 HDD Docking Station

The Thermaltake BlacX 5G is an amazing external transfer solution. I was impressed with the early USB 3.0 results at CES and I am even more impressed with them now. The transfer speeds and real world tests were almost dead on with internal and eSATA speeds. They, by far, trumped the aging USB 2.0 tests with no prejudice. If you look at the real time transfer tests, which is what this dock is all about (transferring files), the slowest time it took to transfer a 1GB file was 10.8 seconds on the 3.5 inch hard drive. The USB 2.0 version of the Thermaltake BlacX and the EZ-Dock with a USB 2.0 connection both took over 27 seconds for the same file to the same drive.
Read more

Azza Hurrican 2000 Case Review
Hi Tech Legion posted a review on the Azza Hurrican 2000 Case

The Azza Hurrican 2000 is an intimidating black, full tower case. The Azza Hurrican 2000 is fully loaded with 8 fans and 6 front accessible hard drive bays. Toolless installation was a focus here, as everything, from the HDDs, Optical drives and even PCI slots, can all be installed using only your hands. The focus on air flow is instantly noticed at first glance, as there is hardly any angle you can look at it without seeing one or more fans. The Azza Hurrican 2000 takes hold of its namesake firmly, creating a veritable force of nature within its walls to take any simple computer and elevate it well above the competition.
Read more

Swann Security OutbackCam Camera and Video Recorder Review
DragonSteelMods posted a review on the Swann Security OutbackCam Camera and Video Recorder

Last week I took a look at a full security system from SimpliSafe, this week I’ve got something similar or a product that could be used for security in an outdoor setting. Swann Security is fairly well known for their products, I’ve got a mini-DVR with a single camera setup from them actually that works well. Today I have the OutbackCam which is basically a security camera for the outdoors. It can be used for monitoring an area, but these are more common for nature watchers and hunters actually. They’re used to monitor trails and areas for game, that way hunters know where to go.
Read more

Cirago HydraDisplay X3 Displayport to 3 DVI Multimonitor Adapter
TestFreaks takes a look at the Cirago HydraDisplay X3 Displayport to 3 DVI Multimonitor Adapter

Multiple monitors, they’re a wonderful thing. I’ve gone from one, then to two and now I run four on my main computer and I love every minute of it. It allows you to just get so much more done with work, but it allows you to enjoy your entertainment as well. One small issue with running multiple monitors is the cost for multiple videos cards or a high end card with many outputs on it. Sure you can get less expensive cards, but it’s not worth it, at least I don’t think it is. Today for review I’ve got a new product from Cirago that allows you to connect three monitors to your computer using a single Displayport connection. It’s called the HydraDisplay X3 and it’s very simple to use, truly plug and play. You might think something like this would require a lot of power but it doesn’t it uses the power from a regular USB port only, so there’s no adapter needed to run it. So let’s check it out…
Read more

Thermaltake BlacX 5G USB 3.0 Docking Station Review
PureOverclock has published a review on the Thermaltake BlacX 5G USB 3.0 Docking Station

The Thermaltake BlacX 5G docking station is a product that will accommodate hard drives up to 2TB with SATA III capability. And with the new SuperSpeed USB 3.0 interface, file transfer speeds are no longer bottlenecked on a hard drive. Moving big files, archiving files, and drive imaging can now happen far quicker than before. So we've got speed in a compact form; what's not to love?
Read more

ASUS Radeon HD 5870 ROG Matrix and V2 Graphics Cards Reviewed
PC Perspective posted a review on the ASUS Radeon HD 5870 ROG Matrix and V2 Graphics Cards

ASUS is known for creating some truly unique graphics cards that differ wildly from the reference designs we are used to seeing. The ROG Matrix HD 5870 card with 2GB of memory is just that with overclocking options you need to see. For the more tame of us, there is the V2 HD 5870 that is cheaper and much simpler in feature set.
Read more

Sunrise AS-Feeling Earbuds Review
techPowerUp posted a review on the Sunrise AS-Feeling Earbuds

Sunrise Audio, unknown to most, just released a full line-up of earbuds. Today we take a closer look at the AS-Feeling earbuds which is their mid-end offering. Available for only $40 online these are sure to be welcomed by many people looking for great sound on a budget.
Read more

ASUS GeForce GTS 450 DirectCU TOP: Cool and Affordable
InsideHW.com has reviewed ASUS GeForce GTS 450 DirectCU TOP graphics card

Filling up product range gaps used to be NVIDIA’s specialty. Almost as a rule, as soon as the strongest models from a new generation have surfaced on the market, users with pockets more shallow were offered a solution characterised by an excellent price/performance ratio. We believe that many will reminisce of cards such as GeForce 6600, 7600GS, 9600GTO etc. In this case, however, it has taken a bit longer to do this, and NVIDIA fans, craving something new, but not at skinflint prices such as the first models, finally got the first GTS from the 4 series (i.e. alongside the popular GTX460): GTS450…
Read more

ASRock 890GX Extreme4 and 890FX Deluxe4 Motherboard Reviews
Legit Reviews posted a review on the ASRock 890GX Extreme4 and 890FX Deluxe4 Motherboard

ASRock has been releasing motherboards at a furious pace and some of the latest models have support for a pair of SuperSpeed USB 3.0 ports on the front of your machine. Read on as we take an in-depth look at the ASRock 890GX Extreme4 and 890FX Deluxe4 motherboards to see how they perform. You might just be shocked how these boards perform for less than $160!

Today we are fortunate enough to have two of these motherboards on hand to put through the paces. The first board that we are going to look at today is the ASRock 890GX Extreme4. A few short months back we took a look at the ASRock 890GX Extreme3. I was impressed with the performance of the ASRock 890GX Extreme3, especially considering that it was priced below the competition. The ASRock 890GX Extreme4 is priced a little bit higher, but it is sitting pretty at $139.99 plus $2.99 shipping which is a decent price, especially if you take into consideration that it is the only AMD 890GX motherboard that is offering front panel Super Speed USB3. The second motherboard that we are going to look at today is the ASRock 890FX Deluxe4. The ASRock 890FX Deluxe4 also offers front panel Super Speed USB3 technology and is based on the AMD 890FX chipset. The ASRock 890FX Deluxe4 is aimed at those looking for the best performance out of a CrossfireX set-up, as it will run dual AMD graphics cards at the full PCIe x16 bandwidth. The ASRock 890FX Deluxe4 is priced at $159.99 plus $2.99 shipping. This low price makes the ASRock 890FX Deluxe4 the second least expensive AMD 890FX chipset motherboard, second only to its predecessor, the ASRock 890FX Deluxe3.
Read more