A few weeks ahead of Intel's launch of its Core i7 980X "Gulftown" six-core processors, ASRock used the chip in a live-demo for one of its new motherboards. ASRock was probably trying to show off high performance numbers for its X58 Extreme3 motherboard using [perhaps] the most powerful LGA-1366 processor ever made, with a benchmark application best suited for it: Cinebench R10. Being a multi-threaded benchmark, the Core i7 980X scored 25,711 points. A quad-core Core i7 processor typically scores around the 20,000 mark. The exhibitors also confirmed that the 980X will be an Extreme Edition part with a clock speed of 3.33 GHz. As for the exhibit itself, ASRock pleaded innocent saying it had necessary permissions to display performance numbers of the 980X, well ahead of its launch. While tech forums are rife with unofficial benchmark scores of Gulftown, by forum members who test engineering samples with a level of anonymity, this is the first time a motherboard partner came all out with an official demo of the chip's capabilities. Intel's Core i7 980X will be released in a few weeks' time. ASRock's X58 Extreme3 is said to support the chip out of the box, though most socket LGA-1366 motherboards should be able to support it with a simple BIOS update.

Team Group Inc will be announcing at CeBIT 2010 the world-first limited edition overclocking memory Xtreem LV DDR3 2400 to set again a new barrier for overclocking memory. Team not only enhances the bandwidth of the module to 19,200MB/sec, but also sets users at the tip of the pyramid as the target customer group. The Xtreem LV DDR3 2400 will be delivered in limited edition and considered as the most stunning star product that Team displays at CeBIT 2010.

Based on the memory architecture evolution on Intel Core i7 and Core i5, Team raises the frequency of the Xtreem LV DDR3 by 20% from 2000MHz to 2400MHz. Also, by continuing the high frequency and low latency tradition of the Xtreem LV memory, the Xtreem LV DDR3 2400 can fully display the configuration 9-10-10-30 (tCL-tRCD-tRP-tRAS) at a low operating voltage at 1.6V without sacrificing either performance or stability. All these have witnessed the extraordinary R&D capacity and capability of Team. In addition to the unchanged genuine chip policy, Team ensures chip quality with the exclusive sorting technology to screen chips. In order to further ensure the optimal performance and flawless quality of the Xtreem LV DDR3 2400, Team applies the 24-hour burn-in test and industry-approved MemTest software to perform the OQC inspection of all modules before shipping to assure the stability and exceptional performance of every Xtreem LV DDR3 2400.

Fast, stable and lightweight, the solid state disk (SSD) has successfully replaced conventional mechanical hard drives to become the product with the most potential in 2010. After the great market success of the Xtreem-G1 SSD last year, Team Group Inc has launched technological cooperation with the US-based SSD pioneer Sandforce to introduce the faster and more reliable Xtreem-S1 SSD tailored for power users and will display it for the first time at CeBIT 2010.

In addition to continuing the absolute silence, light weight, low power consumption and shock resistance of the Xtreem-G1 SSD, the Xtreem-S1 SSD is equipped with the Sandforce processor, the fastest SSD solution in the industry, to fully exploit the extremes of the cost and performance MLC chip and thereby enhance the read/write speed of the Xtreem-S1 SSD. Besides delivering a reading speed of 270MB/sec and a writing speed of 260MB/s, which is 10 times faster than ordinary IDE hard drives (taking 1 second to accomplish tasks that used to be done in 10 seconds), the Xtreem-S1 SSD is 2 times faster than ordinary SSDs, making it the world's fastest SSD! Also, it supports SMART and the US AES-128 encryption specifications to provide real-time SSD health diagnostics and safeguard important data for users.

Shuttle Inc., a leading developer and manufacturer of multi-form-factor solutions such as the world-famous XPC Mini-PC-Barebones, will be unveiling at this year's CeBIT in Hanover a new, ultra-compact PC platform which, at just 3.3 cm wide, is already HD-compatible.

The Shuttle Barebone XS35 is a Mini-PC in the 1-litre class which, thanks to its shape and the standardised VESA mounting interface, can be easily fitted behind flat panel displays and therefore does not take up any space. Intel's Atom D510 Dual Core Processor (2x 1.66 GHz) and the NM10 Express Chipset serve as the energy-saving hardware platform. A high-performance NVIDIA GT218 (ION2) graphics card provides streaming 3D and video playback. The HDMI connector allows for excellent sound and picture quality and connects the device to modern flat panel displays and large televisions easily.

MSI, in the spirit of quickly creating and releasing new innovations, has incorporated the Winki online environment - just announced at CeBIT 2009 - as a key feature in its new AM3 790FX and 790GX mainboards. Transforming the mainboard into a tool anyone can use, MSI's independently developed Winki online environment is perfect for a fast online nettop or netbook.

Winki is MSI's unique online environment An extraordinary combination of technology and research, Winki users can navigate the BIOS settings to instantly go online after turning on their PC, with absolutely no need to wait for an OS to start up. Winki includes four major Internet services: Web page browsing, online chat/instant messaging, online phone calls (VoIP), and fast photo viewing.

PC Hardware giant ASUS is preparing a the Formula series graphics card air-coolers. The coolers in several shapes and sizes, are designed to streamline air-flow to achieve better cooling performance, and overclocking headroom, as ASUS puts it.

The most distinctive features of these coolers are the F1 car-shaped shrouds, and almost centrally-located, dust-proof fans that blow air onto aluminum fins, or radially-projecting heatsinks. The coolers first caught the eyes of the press during the CeBIT event.

A presentation by ASUS dealing has been sourced by Expreview, that reveals the company's claims of the cooler providing better distribution and dissipation of heat, and quieter operation in comparison to other coolers. It is unclear at this point in time, whether ASUS markets these coolers "as is", or as parts of their graphics cards.

Cooler Master's CM 690, one of the most popular mid-tower cases in Europe, has yet another special-edition variant. This time, the company designed a case, that uses white with a dash of chrome as its colour-theme. CM made changes to the side panel of this case, it lacks the fan mount-holes. Also used, are more silent fans in comparison to the ones on the base-model. Originally slated for a CeBIT launch, Cooler Master put the project under wraps. PCGH has learned that the case could be released in May. For more pictures, head over to the PCGH Gallery here.

Super Talent is showing off a few new products as well. The Luxio flash drive is a luxury unit and comes in black, silver or wood-grain. Capacity wise, it tops out at 64 GB and features both hardware and software encryption. Super Talent ships the unit with a stylish leather case. Then there is the new Godfather stick in a rubber chasing. We have seen the first of this series at CES and, while the rubber version is not on display at CeBIT, it should be available in retail.Super Talent is also displaying ECC DIMMs. These are intended for the server market and while a lot of companies are showing of DDR2 versions, this is the DDR3 version. Then you will also find triple-channel kits at their booth, with golden heatspreaders.

Corsair is showing off their first case design, a full tower unit with an aluminum front and steel structure. It has a unique layout as well as a lot of one of a kind features. The case allowes for perfect cable management, will be able to fit a triple radiator, has four hot-swap SATA bays including the drive trays and a unique cooling layout. The case should be availble in Q2 for around 300 €. Corsair is also planning a smaller version of the case.Then there is a small new product, which is basically a USB dock, which comes with a backup button and the appropriate software. It can be used with any flash drive, but Corsair has designed it specifically for their own units.

We managed to drop by the Akasa booth as well and they also have several new products. Firstly there is an active notebook cooler, with an adjustable angle. It can be had either with a black metal mesh or silver one. The side holds the power switch, a single USB port and a dial to adjust the fan speed, while the rear has another four port USB 2.0 hub.Akasa is also presenting their newest series of fans, with very unique fan blades, which supposedly push around 30% more air than straight ones. They are rated at a mere 13 db(A) and are currently only available as 120 mm variants. Their "Freedom" series is also being expanded with a CPU cooler and a GPU cooler. The latter is intended for the GT200 series of GPUs and Akasa is actually showing one off in a demo system cooling an EVGA GTX 280.

There are a few things to see at the A-DATA stand. Let us start with the memory modules. The company has three different Tri-Channel kits on display. They range between 1800 and 2133 MHz. The latter comes bundled with a clip-on heatsink & fan top and A-DATA is running it at CL8. They are also offering DDR2 SO-DIMMs aimed at the Gamer market. These come in two versions. One runs 800 MHz at a tighter timing of CL4 while the other uses a mere 1.6 to 1.7V to operate at 800 MHz CL5.

Arctic Cooling has a very open booth at the show and they have a few demonstration to show what their Fusion 550R (550 Watt) power supply is capable of. They are loading all rails and generating around 570 W, still managing to keep everything stable and cooling it with a single 80 mm fan. Then they have a system in which they are utilizing all kinds of different Arctic Cooling products in combination with the Fusion 550R power supply. Lastly, there is a system with two passively cooled 9800 GTX+ inside their chassis.Arctic Cooling is also working on a compact, portable notebook cooler, which should be out in Q2. It is powered soley by USB and also has four USB 2.0 ports and the fan speed can be adjusted with a dial in the back. Last but not least, they are showing off cooling solutions created for specific manufacturers. There is a 9500GT from Axle with an enclosed single slot cooling solution from Arctic Cooling.

Glacialtech is also present here at CeBIT, with a small booth. But it is packed with a few nice new additions. There are two new notebook coolers, one called the X-Wing R1 and the other called Glacial Pad G1. Both are actively cooled and the R1 can be had with different color edges. It also has multimedia controls up front which use the USB connector to interface with the notebook.

DFI is showing off all of their mATX boards aimed at the gaming enthusiast. These come in all kinds of flavors, sporting all available CPU sockets and also offering multi GPU possibilities. Their newest addition is the X58 based one, which has all the features of an ATX board but gives the user the possibility to pack everything into an mATX chassis.

The CoolIT Systems booth has grown considerably in size, over the years. Even though their booth is not as big as at CES, the crowd is basically running them down. The Domino A.L.C cooler - of which you can expect a review soon - is being accepted by the public and the industry quite nicely. They are showing off two custom made PCs, which are made by Kobalt Computers. Both are cooled by CoolIT technology. The one which really impressed me - both due to build quality and the amount of CoolIT hardware used is the black unit. These two are probably the craziest systems I have seen this year around.

OCZ is making some waves with their Z Drive, which is a PCIe based SSD enclosure for four hard drives. They have a unit up and running in white, while it is also displayed in a black color. The Z Drive is intended to be used with four SSDs, which allow for some insane speeds. The entire unit is interfaced with a PCIe x8 and requires two Molex connectors. But wait - there is more!

Barely months into being an ATI add-in board partner, XFX refuses to be a newbie to the scene. After starting off the proceedings with non-reference designs for most of its initial product lineup, XFX adds yet another of its own designs to its small yet formidable ATI Radeon HD 4000 series: a passive-cooled design for an HD 4650 model.

Pictured by ATI-Forum at the ongoing CeBIT event, the XFX Radeon HD 4650 silent keeps up with XFX' black and red colour scheme. The PCB stays black, so does the heatsink over the GPU. Two heatpipes convey heat from the heatsink to a dense array of aluminum fins at the back of the card. One can expect reference clock-speeds for the card, considering its USP mainly is its silent cooling, and not exactly its cooling efficiency to aid overclocking. XFX may announce this card shortly.

ATI's official partner Sapphire Technology is showcasing a new type of video card cooling at CeBIT 2009. The VGA heatsink incorporates Vapour Chamber technology and will be featured on some of the Sapphire Radeon HD 4850 and Radeon HD 4870 video cards to come. The Vapour Chamber technology is a rather new kind of cooling technology for video cards, and until now it was used only by ASUS. In essence, it is very similar to the heat-pipe technology we've seen plenty of times before, taking heat and transferring it away from its source to a cooler area. However, in the Vapour Chamber technology the cooling effect is achieved not by a gas, but by a vacuum chamber. The heatsink occupies two PCI slots, and also features a big fan on top. Unfortunately, that's all the information we have for now.

Patriot Memory, a global provider of premium quality memory module and flash memory solutions, today announced their 256GB Warp SSD v3. Patriot's newest Warp will be showcased at CeBIT Germany.

"Our new 256GB Warp SSD v3 now gives the consumer the fastest data-transfer rates plus all the storage space large enough to quench their multimedia thirst," says Meng Jay, Flash Product Manager for Patriot Memory. "With games and applications becoming larger all the time, for the hardcore gamer, some of the smaller SSDs would make poor investments, as they would quickly run out of space." Warp's v3 continues to be in a 2.5 form factor with SATA I/II connections for fast, reliable data transfer rates. For more information about Patriot's 256GB Warp v3 SSD and other memory module and flash memory solutions, please contact your Patriot Sales Representative or visit Patriot Memory.

ASUS, a leader in the production of LCD monitors, is proud to unveil an array of innovative and energy-efficient LCD monitors that are geared not only to provide convenience to the user, but also protect the environment. These LCD monitors represent a leap forward in LCD manufacturing, and combine contemporary styling and user-centric innovations to deliver uncompromising performance.

After the heated feedback of the M912 Series with swivel screens that were launched in 2008, GIGABYTE will demonstrate various 10.1-inch mobile PCs at the CeBIT 2009 held in Hannover according to public expectation. These include the Touch Note M1028 also equipped with the swivel screen, the Thin Note M1024 which is only 890 grams and 2cm thick, and the Booktop M1022 equipped with the exclusive docking station for turning the Booktop into a desktop. These models will again display GIGABYTE's excelling R&D power. Also, the new-generation Intel Centrino 2 notebook PCs with different screen sizes will be the focus at the present CeBIT. As one of the leading brands in notebook PCs, GIGABYTE will surely bring refreshing models to the public in 2009.

Touch Note M1028: With a fashionable and elegant appearance, the Touch Note M1028 has a golden coffee top cover of exquisite quality and a 10.1-inch LED backlight swivel screen. It is a combination of notebook and tablet PCs that delivers multiple application modes for convenience use. The two resolution options for this model include 1024x600 and 1366x768, which are the mainstreams of the market. In addition to the mobile features like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Express Card slot. What is noteworthy is that the M1028 is equipped with a wide range of crafty designs from GIGABYTE. Besides the 92% full-scale keyboard with premium quality, the M1028 supports the embedded 3.5G (HSDPA) module for users to experience the wonder of mobile life.

The latest ultra-portable solution showcased at CeBIT 2009, is OCZ Technology's DIY (do-it-yourself) Neutrino netbook. Priced competitively, this sleek 10.1-inch LED-backlit (1024x600) machine will come loaded with a 1.6 GHz Intel Atom processors, Intel 945GSE powered motherboard, VGA output, Ethernet, two USB 2.0 ports, a 4-cell 2200 mAh battery, WiFi card and a 1.3 MP webcam as standard. The rest of the hardware is up to your desire. You can update the memory to 2 GB DDR2. Hard drive options include various conventional hard drives or an optional 250 GB OCZ solid-state drive. Operating systems offered are two: Ubuntu or Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition. The Neutrino netbook should be available for purchase in two to three month time. Read a little more here at Engadget.

ASUS, a leader in innovative industrial design, today presented the new U and UX Series, a new range of notebooks that celebrate contemporary styling and effortless elegance. Each of them a masterpiece so immensely desirable, the U and UX Series takes modern day computing to the streets, bringing delight to the users' senses and allowing them to work or play in style.

MSI formally announced at CeBIT the creation of a new interactive device dubbed simply Winki. Based on a Linux distribution, Winki allows instant internet access with no need of operating system. The device looks like a little USB flash and plugs directly into an MSI motherboard. From that moment on, Winki will allow you to instantly load its Linux program, before there's a request send to a hard drive or whetever else you are trying to load the main OS from. Once the Winki OS is loaded, a screen shows up and offers functions like built-in web browsing, immediate communication, VOIP calls, photo searching and other common PC functions. The OS also loads an instant messaging (IM) software called "Pidgin", which allows up to 15 different IM accounts to run at the same time. Some of them include MSN, ICQ, Yahoo, and even Skype. For now this thing will be available only on select MSI mainboards. Eventually the Winki might also show up in some of the high-end MSI laptops. Look at the screenshots or read the official press release for more information. More screenshots courtesy of Engadget are here.

G.Skill did not have a booth in the public area last year. This time around, they have such a presence and are showing off their newest DDR3 line-up. Gone are the tiny and fairly noisy fans. Gone is the rainbow line-up of colors for heatspreaders. The compnay has really cleaned up their product line and is opting for different looking heatspreaders for their different type of memory. The very successful PI series has been expanded to DDR3 as well. G.Skill is also introducing three differently named triple channel kits. The fastest, running at 2133 MHz with CL9 is called Trident and can be viewed in a running system, with a base clock of 133. The second model is named "Perfect Storm", runs at 2000 MHz CL7. The last is the afore mentioned PI Black series, running at 1800 MHz CL7. All of these modules are actively cooled with various clip-on or screw-on fans.The DDR2 memory also features a similar active cooler and the PI series is available with up to 1200 MHz CL5 as a 4 GB Kit.