CyberPower has announced Power Video series of custom-built desktop workstations, three models: the XE, XT and high-performance XI. Designed for videographers and video enthusiasts, the Power Video series have been custom-configured to provide a solid platform for high-def video playback, editing and rendering.

All Power Video series feature the Intel’s multi-core processor technology and nVidia or ATi graphics solutions with 4GB, 8GB, or 16GB of DDR2 or DDR3 memory. The PC can then be further customized with a range of SATA II hard drives or hard drive arrays as well as Blu-ray disc burners.

Standard features on each model include IEEE 1394 (DV iLink) and USB ports, a multi-format media card reader, support for 8.5 Dual-Layer DVD burning capability, and Asetek’s Liquid CPU Cooling System for efficient heat dissipation.

The standard configuration on the Power Video XE offers Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 at 2.4GHz, NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GT 512MB 16X PCI Express video card and 500GB SATA-II 7200RPM hard drive.

The Power Video XT features Intel’s Quad-Core 2 Quad Q9550 CPU at 2.83GHz, ATI Radeon HD 4850 PCI-E 16X 512MB video card and a one terabyte, SATA-II 3.0Gb/s 32MB Cache 7200RPM hard drive. An LG Blu-ray burner is included, along with a Sony Blu-ray player.

The pro-model Power Video XI includes a 2.93GHz Core i7 with 12GB of RAM. Both are set on Intel's X58 mainboard with SLI/CrossFireX support. It also offers 12GBs of DDR3 Triple Channel Memory and an ATI Radeon HD 4870 PCI-E 16X 512MB DDR5 video card. It includes a pair of one terabyte SATA II hard drives and a 64 BG 2.5-inch SATA SSD. Standard optical drives include LG’s 6X Blu-Ray Disc Rewriter and a Sony 2X Blu-Ray Player.

All three Power Video systems are available direct from CyberPower, with the XE prices starting at $985, the XT at $1,675 and the XI priced from $2,719.
 

Dell has announced its smallest commercial desktop system ever, the OptiPlex 160. The OptiPlex 160 is designed to deliver energy efficiency and reliability in a space-saving design while maximizing productivity and reducing workspace clutter.

Designed for space-constrained offices, the OptiPlex 160 includes innovative mounting options to save on the space. It weighs in starting at less than five pounds. The OptiPlex 160 Helps reduce energy consumption with highly efficient power supply and a low-voltage Intel Atom processor.

The new system features up to 160 GB hard drive or up to 64 GB solid state drive and optional wireless networking and up to 4 GB of memory. The single Core Tiny Desktop offers up to 87 percent efficient internal power supply.

“With today’s release of the 160, we are rounding out a complete refresh of OptiPlex products from the world’s top seller of business desktops. The OptiPlex 160 adds yet another low-profile, entry-level option to our diverse portfolio of enterprise solutions, delivering essential performance for common office applications,” said Darrel Ward, director, Dell Product Group.

Dell says the 160 comes with a long, managed lifecycle and the support of Dell systems management solutions such as the Dell Client Manager console like all of Dell’s OptiPlex desktops.

The OptiPlex 160 is available now with a starting price of $563.

Link: Dell

Asus has launched its latest and highest performing Intel X58gaming PC, the ROG CG6190.

The ASUS ROG CG6190 is the world’s first highest performing consumer desktop platform featuring Intel Core i7 CPUs and X58 chipsets to allow gamers to experience even higher levels of speed and performance. The Core i7 delivers 52% faster processing speed in 3D gaming applications than the previous generation Quad Core platform.

The Asus CG6190 can be configured with up to 12GB RAM and 4TB SATA HDDs. It supports both NVIDIA 3-way SLI and ATI CrossFireX graphics.

The CG6190 is equipped with a built-in biometric fingerprint scanner, a unique 2-kilowatts dual power system and customized liquid cooling modules for non-stop sustainability. The SupremeFX X-Fi Audio Card provides support for 3D nine virtual speakers.

The unique exterior design of the CG6190 is inspired by ancient and modern armor with both Eastern and Western influences.

There is no word on release date or pricing yet.

Link: Asus

Dell today announced a new line of OptiPlex commercial desktops. The new OptiPlex systems feature innovations in serviceability, manageability, security and power consumption.

The company is introducing four new platforms:

• OptiPlex 960 - Dell’s flagship, heavy-duty desktop enables up to 43 percent less power consumption to reduce energy costs over previous generation of OptiPlex desktops. The optional QuietKit technology reduces noise by as much as 60 percent. Available in three chassis styles (mini-tower, desktop and small form factor), the OptiPlex 960 starts at $863.
• OptiPlex 760 - Offering mainstream security, productivity and energy efficient features with improved management capabilities, the OptiPlex 760 starts at $593.
• OptiPlex 360 - It enables the performance needed to help customers build their business and drive essential office productivity. The OptiPlex 360 starts at $476.
• OptiPlex FX160 - Dell’s first thin client; supports embedded or streamed operating systems for virtual desktop implementations. The FX160 starts at $399.

Dell's new OptiPlex desktops are available worldwide, according to the company.

Link: Dell

Dell has launched the XPS OneTM 24 and continues the (PRODUCT) RED program that contributes to the fight against AIDS in Africa. The updated design boasts a 24-inch, edge-to-edge 1080p HD display and premium JBL dual stereo speakers and sub woofer for immersive entertainment experiences.

The XPS One 24 is an all in one desktop PC integrating an array of sought-after features, including HDTV, DVR, optional Blu-ray Disc player and recorder, component stereo system, video phone, and media library.

The XPS One 24 features NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT video graphics for eye-popping visuals, while Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 quad core processor handles complex multimedia activities.

Each purchase of an XPS One 24 (PRODUCT) RED system contributes $50-$80 (depending on the configuration) to the Global Fund, which helps fight HIV and AIDS in Africa.

The XPS One 24 is available in the U.S. with price starting at $1,699.

Link: Dell

Dell has announced the global launch of the Studio Desktop and Studio Slim Desktop - the newest additions to Dell’s Studio line designed to be the heart of home entertainment command centers and multimedia activities.

Featuring a sophisticated, glossy black design finish, Studio desktops provide great multimedia performance that is scalable to meet users’ specific needs and preferences

With a starting price of $549, these stylishly designed PCs are packed full of entertainment enhancers including standard graphic support for DirectX 10 and optional Blu-ray DiscTM players and built-in HDMI for easy connections to HDTVs.

The systems feature six USB 2.0 ports (2 front, 4 back), a built-in 1394a port, integrated graphics that support DirectX 10, HDMI output for connecting to an HDTV or high-definition display, Gigabit Ethernet and a built-in 16-in-1 media card reader on Studio Desktop.

Optional features include video card upgrades from ATI, Blu-ray Disc drives, Built-in 802.11n Wi-Fi, Built-in TV tuner with remote control and a Wireless keyboard and mouse.

Users can choose from the Dell Studio Desktop, with a traditional mini-tower chassis, or the Dell Studio Slim Tower, that's good for space-constrained environments.

Link: Dell

Dell is bringing the big screen to the PC screen, making it easy for users to build a personal digital library of their favorite Hollywood blockbusters.

Dell and Sonic Solutions have teamed to make downloading and recording DVD movies easy with the first PC-based Qflix drives. Using an intuitive application, Roxio Venue, movie collectors can search and select from a variety of major Hollywood hits available from CinemaNow, download them on their PC, transfer them to multiple digital devices in their home, and then create a permanent and portable DVD-format copy on Qflix DVD media.

The Qflix drive bundle is available in the U.S. as an option on most Inspiron, Studio and XPS laptops for $120. Dell plans to offer the option soon on select consumer desktops. The bundle includes an external Qflix-enabled drive, which also supports standard DVD read/write functions, two recordable Qflix DVD discs, Roxio Venue and CinemaNow software and a USB cable.

Qflix DVD media that allows the Hollywood approved burning of premium content to DVD can be found at www.qflix.com/getitnow.

Link: Dell

Not without much turmoil, SP3 for Windows XP and SP1 for Windows Vista, are back online, and after several uneventful weeks it looks like this time it's for real. You can download SP3 here and SP1 (which was never unavailable for download) again on the whole Windows Update widget.

The main problem was with the Microsoft Dynamic RMS (a program for small businesses) which seemed to have some Service Pack related flaws; if needed, there's now a hotfix for that.

The newest of the two, Windows XP SP3, arrives at the same moment Microsoft will stop selling the operating system. It will still be sold for some time, bundled with OEM computers, but you can kiss it goodbye as far as shelf space is concerned. This Service Pack contains more than 1100 hotfixes and weighs 316 MB.

Link: Daily Tech.

Would you splash out on a high performance PC costing over $5,000? And that's just for the base unit. You can add on a 24inch monitor and keyboard while you're at it and maybe even some software eh. Well that's the cost of a top of the range gaming system these days capable of running monster games such as Crysis.

Here's a breakdown of the Hypersonic Sonic Boom OCX we priced up - Hypersonic were recently bought out by OCZ who know a thing or two about top of the range gaming PCs having been at the forefront of cutting edge memory technology for many years.