"the latest solution to video card noise reduction. It has an excellent implement of state-of-the-art design and technology and give you a better gaming experience by reducing the distortion and noise generated from graphic card. It reduces the noise distortion generated from high-end graphic card (from both Radeon and GeForce) or TV tuner card, which provide up to 10% increase performance on Signal-to-Noise Ratio"

So to sum things up, it seems that the iClear doesn't do a damn thing. As far as anyone can tell, it is simply a slab of plastic that plugs into PCIe x1 socket.

However, according to a review by Alexey Samsonov the device did have a positive effect on signal-to-noise-ratios at certain frequencies when utilized with a low-quality analog TV tuner card and a video card configuration. But even if that is accurate, it is hardly worth spending around $80 on (athough Newegg has been bundling them free with certain video cards apparently). Still, if you do decide to experiment with it, I highly recommend picking up Boing Boing Gadgets' X-Maple pixel-flutter reduction block for PCIe as a companion. [HIS iClear via HTSAP via Boing Boing Gadgets and iClear Review]

Received my "open computer" day before yesterday. Two immediate problems.

First, the noise level was completely intolerable. Never heard a computer as loud in my life.

Second problem was video was DOA right out of the box. No signal going to monitor. Boot up is a moot point as there is nothing to see.

Called the company. A female answered the phone, presumably a receptionist. She informed me some one would return my call shortly and give me RA# I had requested. No call. Called back after several hours. Spoke with one of the guys there in either sales or support. They assured me that they were getting the information from UPS as we spoke and would shortly be sending me the return shipping label via UPS within minutes. Nothing.

Called back again this morning. Was assured that shipping info was to be emailed shortly and they were going to be calling UPS to arrange a pickup for this afternoon. Nothing.

All I want to do is return the computer and get a refund.

We knew about the incredibly loud fan before, but unfortunately reader Rick ordered before he saw it featured here. C'mon, Psystar. The first couple weeks is vital to proving your legitimacy and professionalism. If you're going to drop the ball like this, you might as well just shut down and go home now.

Two cores in back and one in front make up the construction, which runs so hot that it comes with heatsinks, heat pipes and a water block that fits into two 5.25-inch slots. How many Xbox 360s, PS3s and Wiis could you buy for the price of one of these? [Nordic Hardware]

You'll have to connect the Luxium to its own power source, but in turn it lets you work with your favorite graphics card and offers USB and audio connectors. The Luxium just made its debut at Computex so there's no word yet on when it'll come out. – Louis Ramirez

MSI Shows External Graphics [TGDaily]
Images via TGDaily

Asus OCGear [TweakTown]

According to the guys at i4U, the new card will have a 675MHz core clock speed and 2.3GHz memory clock (a decent boost from the Ultra's 612MHz core/2.16GHz memory). The card is expected to debut soon. As for price, well, if you have to ask, you probably can't afford it (don't worry, neither can I). But most likely it'll be $50 more than the 8800 Ultra, in other words, just shy of a grand. – Louis Ramirez

Overclocked XFX 8800 Ultra XXX Edition Specs Confirmed [i4u]

MXM is a notebook design effort that allows Mobile PCI Express cards to be consistent across laptop manufacturers. That means easier production for card makers and the ability to upgrade the cards for the laptop owners. – Jason Chen

Graphics card in 24-inch iMac is apparently upgradeable [MacsimumNews]