7.31.2012

EXCLUSIVE: Akasa's Euler : up to 35W TDP





This september, Akasa is bringing industrial design to the mainstream with a new heatsink case. Designed for thin Mini-ITX motherboards, the Euler will cool any processor with a TDP up to 35W.

Available "at an affordable price" the tiny aluminum case (228 x 187 x 61.5 mm) will no doubt increase interest in silent computing. Enjoy these never-before-seen pictures.

7.30.2012

Scythe ACB-TYPE3




Exclusive: Scythe is about to launch a very cool looking open-air case. Suitable for fanless operation, bench testing, and hardware lovers (or voyeurs) it will be available for about $85 / 70€.

✓ Designed for ATX, Micro-ATX and Mini-ITX motherboards
✓ Designed for large tower coolers - up to 190 mm
✓ 5 mm thick acrylic
✓ 3 x 5” bays
✓ 3 x 3.5” bays
✓ 2 x 2.5” bays
✓ 368 × 270 x 347 mm
✓ 2.6 kg

7.29.2012

No moving parts marine computers



""We designed the KEP Marine series to be the most powerful and reliable computer available for the harsh marine environment," said Keith Cariani, sales manager, KEP Marine. "With no moving parts or fans, our ultra-rugged, fully customizable, solid-state computers can take anything the sea throws at them."

The KEP Marine Enix series consists of 3U (model number 3067-DC-ST) and 2U (2067-DC-ST) rackmount servers, and a space-saving, compact (2067-DC-ST-CP) model. Engineered for impeccable on-the-water operation and secured thermal management, Enix systems have no internal moving parts."
✓ Intel® Core i7/i5/i3 Quad/Dual core G2 processor✓ up to 32 GB of memory
✓ compatible with Linux, and Windows 7 and XP operating systems
✓ optional Matrox P690 dual/quad graphic card available
✓ Prices start at $3,849

7.27.2012

FSP Aurum Xilenser fanless PSU review


Hardware.info takes a look at the new Aurum Xilenser from FSP. A 500W modular power supply with a 80 Plus Gold label.

7.25.2012

Black Megahalems giveaway


Not technically sold as a passive CPU cooler, Prolimatech's Black Megahalems will handle most low-power processors without a fan. Enter for your chance to win one, here.

7.24.2012

More ARM goodness : VIA VAB-800


"Based on the ultra compact Pico-ITX form factor, measuring 10 cm x 7.2 cm, the VIA VAB-800 is the first VIA Pico-ITX board to feature an ARM SoC. With the choice of either an 800MHz or 1GHz Freescale Cortex-A8 ARM SoC, the VIA VAB-800 combines two integrated GPUs for independent dual display and 3D/2D graphics acceleration to provide full HD playback support for resolutions up to 1080p.

The ultra compact VIA VAB-800 Pico-ITX is optimized for both performance and power to meet the high end demands of advanced industrial and in-vehicle applications, boasting a ruggedized design with a wide operating temperature range from -20 to 70°C, while offering extremely low power consumption of a maximum 5W TDP. In addition to the ruggedized design VIA offers up to 7 years longevity support.

The VIA VAB-800 provides an impressive selection of rear I/O in a compact form factor including VGA and Mini HDMI ports, two USB 2.0 ports and one Ethernet port."

Source: Viaembedded via TechPowerUp

7.21.2012

Habey's BIS-6763 is now available




As announced in May, Habey's BIS-6763 is now available to order from a popular US retailer for $499. Much more powerful than Atom-based nettops, the BIS-6763 also features Intel's integrated HD 3000 which makes it a seriously capable (and totally silent) HTPC.

Expect industrial-grade components from Habey, which is always a plus.

✓ Intel Core i3-2367M
✓ Intel HM65 Chipset
✓ 1 x DDRIII SODIMM 1066/1333MHz Slot, up to 4GB
✓ 1 x 2.5” SATAII SSD Drive Bay
✓ 2 x Mini PCIe Slots
✓ 6 x USB 2.0
✓ 1 x RS-232
✓ 1 x HDMI
✓ 1 x VGA
✓ 1 x Gigabit Ethernet
✓ VESA mountable
✓ Supports Windows & Ubuntu/Linux
✓ Consumes less than 25W
✓ DC 12V power input
✓ 190 x 190 x 67 mm (7.5″ x 7.5″ x 2.6″)

The cheaper BIS-6761, based on Intel's Celeron 857, is only $279. Keep them coming!

7.18.2012

Silent Sandy Bridge-E



Silentmaxx is launching a customizable and passively-cooled Sandy Bridge-E system, up to i7-3960X Extreme Edition, two 512 GB SSDs, and 64 GB of DDR3-1600 memory. A large variety of fanless graphics cards are also available, from Nvidia GTX670 to ATI Radeon 7970.

The Six-Core CPU is cooled thanks to their TwinBlock behemoth. Truly impressive.

Foxconn teasing continues


Dear Foxconn, please put us all out of our misery and release them already.

7.16.2012

New Megahalems prototype



It looks like Prolimatech is cooking up a new passive Megahalems. Stay tuned.

Source: Cowcotland

7.12.2012

The world's first Tegra 3 Mini-ITX motherboard


Kontron is about to launch the world's first Tegra 3 Mini-ITX motherboard (17 cm x 17 cm). Compact size, rich I/O interfaces, and amazing power efficiency (total consumption under 7W!) the KTT30/mITX is the start of a new breed of desktop computer. The beginning of the end for Intel's Atoms?

✓ ARM Cortex-A9 Quad Core 900MHz Processor
✓ Up to 2 GB DDR3L memory down
✓ Ultra low power NVIDIA GeForce GPU with enhanced 3D capabilities
✓ 1080p H264 MPEG-4 encoding/decoding Video Processor
✓ HDMI 1.4a (up to 1920x1080 pixel)
✓ 24 bit LVDS (up to 2048x1536 pixel @ 18bpp)
✓ support for 3 independent displays
✓ 3 x port USB 2.0 (2x Type A and 1x Micro)
✓ 2 x SD card slots
✓ 1 x HDMI
✓ Bootable eMMC
✓ 1 x mPCIe
✓ 1 x mPCIe/mSATA
✓ 1 x mPCIe for 3G (oboard SIM socket)
✓ 2 x RS232
✓ 1 x 10/100/1000 Ethernet Controller
✓ S/PDIF audio

Source: Kontron

7.11.2012

MiniX TV Box H24


At 60mm x 60mm x 13mm the MiniX TV Box H24 is the cutest set-top box ever. Powered by an Allwinner A10 CPU (1.2ghz ARM Cortex A8 and MALI400 GPU) it's running Android 4.0 but is highly hackable. Liliputing notes that it's already Ubuntu, Fedora, and Puppy Linux compatible.

✓ 512MB DDR 3
✓ 4GB Nand Flash
✓ 2 X full size USB 2.0 host
✓ 1 X MicroSD slot
✓ 1 X HDMI
✓ Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n
✓ External 5V power adapter
$99

7.09.2012

A MOD FROM KOREA



Handmade i5-based bullion.

Source: Coolenjoy via Cowcotland

7.06.2012

FOXCONN NANO PC UPDATE


After a slight delay (due to Intel's abrupt cancellation of its Atom D2700?) Foxconn's range of fanless Nano PCs will be available worldwide this september.

The AT-5600 is still based on AMD’s E450 APU, but the AT-5250 now sports an Atom D2550 at 1.86 Ghz. Both are more expensive than initially announced ($280 and $260 respectively).

✓ Atom D2550 / AMD E-450
✓ 1 x SO-DIMM socket (DDR3 memory up to 4GB)
✓ 2 x USB 3.0 ports
✓ 4 x USB 2.0 ports
✓ 1 x 2.5" bay
✓ 1 x 1.8" bay
✓ 1 x SD/SDHC/MS/MS Pro/MMC card reader
✓ 1 x Gigabit LAN port
✓ 1 x HDMI
✓ 1 x VGA (looks awfully like a DVI port to us)
✓ 802.11n Wi-Fi
✓ 19 cm x 13.5 cm x 3.8 cm
✓ VESA mountable
✓ 600 g

Source: Foxconn.ru

SHUTTLE XS36V REVIEW


Shuttle's XS36V is a tightly integrated and fanless mini barebone. Just add some memory and storage for a complete system.

En Français: Le XS36V de Shuttle est un mini barebone fanless à la conception novatrice. Ajouter mémoire et stockage pour un système complet.


On the front panel, a power switch, a multiformat card reader, a USB 2.0 port, and 2 Com ports (making the XS36V ready for professional applications).

A l'avant, un bonton d'alimentation, un lecteur de carte multiformat, un port USB 2.0, et 2 ports Com (le XS36V est prêt pour des applications professionnelles).


On the back of the case, Gigabit network, HDMI, VGA, and DVI port, 4 USB 2.0 ports, audio line-out, microphone input, and DC input for the external 40W power adapter.

Au dos du boîtier, un port Gigabit ethernet, des prises HDMI, VGA et DVI, 4 ports USB 2.0, prises audio et micro, une prise pour l'alimention incluse (40W, type portable).


Natural convection is at work. Air intakes and vents are everywhere.

Le système est refroidi grâce à la convection naturelle. L'air circule librement et de manière efficace.


We're disappointed by the side panels and stand though, both are made of thin plastic.

Les panneaux latéraux et le pied en plastique fin sont un peu décevants.


Overall robustness and stability could be easily improved.

La robustesse et la stabilité de l'ensemble pourrait facilement être améliorées.


The beauty comes from inside. Each component is carefully chosed and placed in the minuscule case (only 22 x 16 x 3.6 cm). The XS36V is a demonstration of Shuttle's expertise in building small systems.

La beauté vient de l'intérieur. Chaque pièce est choisie et installée avec beaucoup de précision dans ce boîtier minuscule (seulement 22 x 16 x 3.6 cm). Le XS36V est la preuve du savoir-faire de Shuttle en matière de miniaturisation.


The D2700 is Intel's most powerful Atom to date. It has a clock frequency of 2.13GHz, supports HyperThreading, and is manufactured on 32nm process. Also on-board is a 640 MHz PowerVR SGX545 GPU. It's actually a valid desktop replacement in most offices, small businesses, schools, and silence aficionados. With a power consumption of only 16W in idle mode, the XS36V is also very energy efficient.

Le D2700 est L'Atom le plus puissant d'Intel jusqu'ici. Il affiche une fréquence de 2,13 GHz, dispose de l'HyperThreading, et il est de plus gravé en 32nm. La partie graphique est assurée par un PowerVR SGX545 à 640 MHz. C'est une véritable alternative à une grosse tour beige pour une petite entreprise, un bureau, une école, et pour les accros du silence bien sûr. Avec une consommation de seulement 16W au repos, le XS36V est aussi formidablement économe.


Shuttle chose what we think is the best passive cooling solution for a consumer product : the cooler is out of reach, inside a meshed case. Heatsink cases tend to get pretty hot which is worrying from a consumer perspective. The D2700 idles at 50°C and goes up to about 62°C at 100% usage (room temperature is 26°C).

Shuttle a opté pour la solution de refroidissement passive qui nous semble la meilleure : le radiateur est hors d'atteinte, dans un boîtier ouvert au maximum. En chauffant, les boîtiers qui font office de radiateur ont tendance à inquiéter certaines personnes. Le D2700 est à 50°C au repos et monte jusqu'à 62°C en charge (avec une température de la pièce à 26°C).


It's hardly Shuttle's fault, but Intel's Linux support for Cedar Trail Atoms is atrocious. We tried several distributions, including PClinuxOS, Linux Mint, and Mageia, but couldn't even get the right screen resolution. And at 1280 x 1024, picture was flickering and only 480p flash videos were playable. With windows 7, everything works as it should, including locally stored 1080p videos.

Ce n'est pas la faute de Shuttle, mais la compatibilité de cet Atom Cedar Trail avec Linux est horrible. On a essayé plusieurs distributions, dont PClinuxOS, Linux Mint, et Mageia, sans parvenir ne serait-ce qu'à la bonne résolution de notre écran. En 1280 x 1024, l'image n'était pas très propre, et seules les vidéos Flash en 480p étaient regardables. Avec Windows 7 tout fonctionne parfaitement, y compris les fichiers 1080p.


We love Shuttle's flexible solutions. It's so nice to create our own perfect machine. The case leaves a little to be desired, but the XS36V is powered by top-grade components and is approved for 24/7 operation. Even smaller than the original Eee Box, this little marvel is also the cheapest fanless computer on the market ($190 at Newegg)

Recommended. ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

On adore la flexibilité des produits Shuttle. Cette liberté de composer sa propre machine est vraiment agréable. Le boîtier laisse un peu à désirer, mais le XS36V n'en demeure pas moins un PC de qualité, il est d'ailleurs conçu pour fonctionner 24 heures sur 24. Encore plus discrète que l'Eee Box originale, cette petite merveille est également l'ordinateur fanless le moins cher du marché (189 € chez LDLC)

7.02.2012

TRINITY PASSIVELY


First look at Splitted-Desktop Systems' upcoming fanless Trinity PC.

Source: Jean-Marie Verdun