Spending $500 on a nice graphics card? OK, that's a reasonable enough splurge if you can afford it. But Corsair's new Dominator RAM kit? Not quite as reasonable.

This insane 24GB RAM kit is comprised of six 4GB memory modules rated at 1333MHz, loaded up with a fancy blue heatsink and a 60mm fan. It's designed for the latest top-of-the-line Core i7 processors on the Intel X58 platform, and yes, I'm sure it'll let you do seriously intensive tasks with much less hangtime.

But $1,300? For RAM? It's not the late 80's anymore, guys. That is fucking insane. [Corsair via SlipperyBrick]

* Proximity Sensor/Light Sensor: Capella CM3602 per sensors.mahimahi.so in Nexus One ROM Dump.
* Accelerometer: BMA150 3-axis Accelerometer per sensors.mahimahi.so in Nexus One ROM Dump.
* Magnetic Compass: AK8973 3-axis Magnetic field sensor/AK8973 Orientation sensor per sensors.mahimahi.so in Nexus One ROM Dump.
* Wifi Radio / Bluetooth / FM: BCM4329 in lib/modules
* In libaudio.so I found "Routing audio to Speakerphone with back mic" reference.
* In libaudio.so I found "Stereo FM speaker" also referenced.
* Audience A1026 Noise Canceling Chip – No link but here is the A1024 found in libaudio.so

We'll update this list as more evidence comes to light. [TheseAreTheDroids]

There's a ton of stuff here, some of it quite similar, but it's pretty certain these'll be popped into smartphones and other mobile devices come next year. The most interesting to me is that "5 megapixel CMOS system on a chip camera, which can process 1080p at 30 fps," which could make for a pretty badass lens in a smartphone—I don't think we've ever seen video recording that sharp. But they've also got a slew of ARM processors and a few low-power 1GHz chipsets called OneDRAM, along with a lot of other internals that may not be flashy but will doubtless be powering our mobile gadgets. [Engadget]

Intel's Ion also runs HD video pretty nicely, but Via's really paying attention to media playback. Via's EPIA-P710 motherboard, a Pico-ITX, is the first to pack the VX855 Media System Processor, which allows some of that 1080p HD output despite needing only a heatsink and not a fan. Look for this combo to start popping up in higher-end netbooks soon—a wimpy Atom just isn't going to cut it anymore with this on the market. [Engadget]

Nope, though that last one was close. What you're looking at is the Illuminato X Machina, a modular motherboard prototype. Each square cell has its own storage, processor, and memory, allowing them to operating independently or as part of a networked cluster.

Instead of having an entire system crash if a component experiences a fatal error, failure of a single cell can still leave the rest of the system operational. It also has the potential to change computing by ushering in machines that draw very little power.

David Ackley, associate professor of computer science at the University of New Mexico, is one of the contributors to the project, as is Justin Huynh. You may remember them as the brains behind the peer-to-peer borrowing and lending Open Source Hardware Bank.

Hive mind mobos, open-source lending? Sounds like socialized medicine to me. (I kid). [Wired]

The different atomic structure of the battery and knowledge of nanotechnology are what make this battery different. They used "mesoporous carbon, a material that presents a highly uniform pore structure at nanoscale level," to allow for a more efficient design:

The team assembled a nanostructure of carbon rods separated by empty channels, sulfur was then melted to fill the tiny voids thanks to capillary forces. All the spaces were uniformly filled with sulfur, thus maximizing the surface area in direct contact with carbon and boosting battery efficiency.

We've been needing a new battery technology for awhile now, especially for electric cars, so here's hoping they can get these lithium-sulfur batteries into production as soon as possible and that they deliver on the possibilities we see here. If it really is capable of three times the batter life, we're talking about something like a 730-mile range on a Tesla, 20 hours on a MacBook, or half a week on an iPod, all without added bulk or expense! [Gizmag via DVICE]

The chip (see it in action here), of unspecified capacity, actually uses transparencies like your grampa used to use with his overhead projectors. This clear plastic is flexible, unlike silicon chips. We've been seeing flexible components lately, most notably displays, but memory is tiny and has to be inside the gadget anyway. I've been thinking for at least a minute and a half and I can't figure out a circumstance in which flexible memory would be preferable, besides maybe a gadget that isn't so much folded as rolled like a poster. So give me a hand: What's the point of all this? [Wired]d

The vertical sound field is created by two speakers which sit above the television, and will provide a noticeable effect in situations where something like an airplane flyover is on screen. The 7.2 system features 90 watts of power per channel, Dolby True HD and DTS-HD support, plus HDMI switching with 1080p support for Deep Color and x.v.Color.

Onkyo also launched the TX-SR307 and TX-SR507, which are only 5.1 and lack the Dolby Pro Logic IIz. They have 65 and 80 watts per channel, respectively, but feature the same HDMI support as its more sophisticated sibling. The 307, 507 and 607 will all be out in April for $300, $400 and $600, respectively.

Onkyo targets value-conscious consumers with a Spring 2009 AV Receiver line-up offering new technologies, features, and performance not previously available at these prices.

UPPER SADDLE RIVER, NJ (3/12/09) – As the first installment of its 2009 product line-up, Onkyo has introduced three new home theater receivers, including the world's first to offer Dolby's new ProLogic IIz processing, which can produce sound effects above the listener's head. Theses models, which range in price from $299 to $599, also include an array of advanced HD audio and video technologies from Onkyo, Dolby, DTS, Audyssey, Faroudja, and others that were previously only available at higher price points. The TX-SR607 features six HDMI inputs, and is the first AV receiver with a front-panel HDMI input.

With the debut of the new TX-SR607 receiver, Onkyo has the distinction of becoming the world's first manufacturer to launch a 7.2-channel home cinema receiver featuring the all-new Dolby Pro-Logic IIz mode. Designed to take home cinema sound to new heights (literally!) DPL IIz introduces a vertical aspect to the sound field through the addition of left and right-channel front height speakers mounted above the main speakers. Based on the initial positive reactions to demonstrations of this technology to dealers, Onkyo anticipates good demand for expanded height channel capabilities in future models.

"We are very excited to be the first audio manufacturer to utilize this exciting new surround format from Dolby," comments Onkyo USA marketing manager Paul Wasek. "It adds a new realm of audience involvement in three dimensions, with surprise aircraft flyovers triggering the 'duck' reflex. Onkyo has launched this technology on our most popular AV receiver, rather than our most expensive, in order to reach out to a much larger customer base. The company's premium receiver lineup, which will roll out over the Summer, will include expanded height-channel capabilities, internet radio and network audio technologies at lower price points."

These new models are well equipped for Blu-ray and other HD audio and video source components, with HDMI repeaters plus Dolby True HD and DTS-HD Master Audio processing in the TX-SR607 and TX-SR507. The entry-level TX-SR307 has HDMI pass-through switching on three inputs, while all three models support 1080p, Deep Color, and x.v.Color.

All of these receivers use Audyssey 2EQ, an automatic calibration system which corrects each channel's output in both frequency and time domains based on measurements at three unique listening positions, Audyssey Dynamic Volume technology, which optimizes the dynamic range of listening material at any listening level, and Audyssey Dynamic EQ, which corrects problems associated with reduced sound quality at low listening levels.

Onkyo has also developed four new exclusive gaming modes designed to enhance the listener's experience when using video game systems. Players can select from Rock, Sports, Action, or Role Playing game modes to match the gaming content. These new modes will immerse all the players in the action like never before.

The Onkyo TX-SR607 and TX-SR507 are the first to use the company's new proprietary rear-panel universal port, which simplifies the connection for Onkyo's forthcoming HD Radio Tuner and iPod Dock that will be available in late spring. The 5.1-channel TX-SR307 and TX-SR507 have 65- and 80-watts per channel amplifiers respectively, while the 7.2-channel TX-SR607 is rated at 90 watts per channel, has dual subwoofer line-outputs, upconverts all analog sources to HDMI via Faroujda DCDi technology, and is Sirius Satellite Radio ready.

The Onkyo TX-SR307 and TX-SR507 will be available in March, and the TX-SR607 in April with suggested retail prices of $299, $399, and $599 respectively.

Onkyo, which takes its name from the Japanese "On" meaning 'sound' and "Kyo" meaning 'harmony,' has been producing precision audio components for over a half-century. The company's philosophy is to deliver products that are superbly designed and built to a consistently outstanding standard of excellence. Today, Onkyo is at the forefront of the home theater and digital revolutions. For more information about this and other fine Onkyo products, visit www.onkyousa.com or call 800-229-1687.

Chassis ATX/Micro-ATX SGCC 0.6MM
Chassis Size 190 x 426 x 469mm (expanded)
434 x 87 x 434mm (folded)
Drive Bay 4 x internal 5.25" Optical Drive Bays
1 x internal 3.5" Floppy Drive Bays
4 x internal 3.5" Hard Disk Drive Bays
Front I/O Ports USB x 2
Audio x 2
1394 x 1 (optional)
Expansion Slots PCI x 7
Ventilation Front 120/92/80mm fan x 1
Rear 120/92/80mm fan x 1
Side 80mm fan x 1 (optional)

[Asus via Hot Hardware]

In fact, the Velociraptor bested the competition (Western Digital's old Raptor and the Samsung HD103UJ) in every test they threw at it. Plus it worked great in a RAID setup as well.

So then Maximum PC decided to pull out an SSD to see what the Velociraptor could really do. Of course, the $300 Velociraptor was thwarted by the more affluent $1,950 Mtron Pro-series 64-gigabyte SSD.

Still, in terms of bang for your buck, you aren't going to do any better than Western Digital's new chosen one. And besides, it's just a matter of time before someone rips off that heatsink and fits this 2.5" monster into a laptop.

Here's the full press release:

WD(R) Announces WD VelociRaptor(TM) - The World's Fastest SATA Hard Drive

Next-generation 10,000 RPM, 2.5-inch, 300 GB SATA Hard Drive, WD VelociRaptor is 35 Percent Faster and Twice the Capacity of the Previous Performance King

LAKE FOREST, Calif., April 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — WD(R) (NYSE: WDC) announced today that it is now shipping WD VelociRaptor(TM) hard drives, the next generation of its 10,000 RPM SATA "Raptor" series of drives. Designed with an enterprise-class foundation, the new WD VelociRaptor hard drive is modified specifically for PC and Mac(R) enthusiasts and professional workstations. Destined to become the new high-performance favorite of these groups, the WD VelociRaptor hard drive comes packed with twice the capacity and a 35 percent performance increase over the previous generation.
From the bloodlines of the WD Raptor, the most popular hard drive for high-performance enthusiasts who demand the ultimate SATA drive, the WD VelociRaptor hard drive is built with enterprise-class mechanics and packs 300 GB of storage capacity into a 2.5-inch enterprise form factor. The 2.5-inch WD VelociRaptor drive is enclosed in the IcePack(TM), a 3.5-inch mounting frame with a built-in heat sink — a customization that fits the drive into a standard 3.5-inch system bay and keeps this powerful drive extra cool when installed in a high-performance desktop chassis.
"Demand for ever-higher PC performance continues to increase and WD is the leader in this category with the WD Raptor. We created WD VelociRaptor hard drives to lead PC enthusiasts into the next era of PC and Mac storage performance and satisfy their insatiable thirst for computing speed," said Tom McDorman, vice president and general manager of WD's enterprise business unit. "The new WD VelociRaptor delivers the greatest performance and reliability of all SATA hard drives currently on the market."
WD VelociRaptor is the next step up for the speed-craving PC enthusiast, and as with all WD drives, attention to detail in features, performance and reliability is a top priority. Features of the new WD VelociRaptor hard drives include:

Killer Speed — Built on the performance of the WD Raptor, these 10,000

RPM drives, with SATA 3 Gb/s interface, and 16 MB cache deliver mind-
bending performance.

Rock-solid Reliability — WD VelociRaptor drives are designed and
manufactured to business-critical, enterprise-class standards to provide
enterprise reliability in high duty cycle environments. The design
results in the highest available reliability rating of any SATA drive at
1.4 million hours MTBF.

IcePack Mounting Frame — The 2.5-inch WD VelociRaptor drives are
enclosed in a 3.5-inch enterprise-class mounting frame with a built-in
heat sink that keeps this powerful little drive extra cool when installed
in high-performance desktop chassis.

Rotary Acceleration Feed Forward (RAFF(TM)) — Optimizes performance when
the drives are used in vibration-prone, multi-drive chassis.

SecurePark(TM) — Parks the recording heads off the disk surface during
spin up, spin down and when the drive is off. This ensures the recording
head never touches the disk surface, resulting in improved long-term
reliability and increased drive protection when the chassis is moved.

Price and Availability
WD VelociRaptor (model WD3000GLFS) hard drives will be available on Alienware's high-performance ALX gaming desktop by the end of April. At launch, Alienware will offer maximum performance with two 300 GB WD VelociRaptor hard drives in RAID 0 configuration on www.alienware.com. WD VelociRaptor hard drives will be shipping exclusively through Alienware this month and will be available through the company's online store (http://www.shopwd.com) and at select distributors and resellers mid-May. Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the WD VelociRaptor 300 GB is $299.99 USD. More information about WD VelociRaptor hard drives may be found on the company's Web site.

Product Page [via Uncrate]

So what do these scores mean?

A 1 means you should just seriously go back to XP. Microsoft wants your money, but not that badly. A score of 2 is the basic score you'll need to do anything on Vista worth while. A 3 (which is what we have, a high 3) is going to be the "value end", or super cheap, PCs being shipped into 2007. A 4 is a mid-range machine, and a 5 is a high-end monster that can do Aero-Glass on multiple monitors and hack into the Matrix.

The current maximum score is a 5.9. A 6 hasn't been defined yet, because Windows developers want to leave themselves room for a 4-dimensional Pipes screensaver or something. They plan to re-evaluate the scale every 12-18 months, or else in two years everyone will have machines that score a 4 or a 5.

In our experience, that 3.7 is pretty decent. Sure, the CPU could be faster, but we haven't noticed any slowdown thanks to Aero. We're not disappointed, since the performance is about on par with XP and this is a pretty low-end machine, after all.

And for you nerds? You can hit up shareyourscore.com and see what other nerds are getting with their machines. It's like an e-penis competition graded by Microsoft—the king of making e-penis competitions (Xbox Live Gamerscore points, for example).

– Jason Chen

What the scores mean [Vista Blog]

Share Your Score