MaximumPC 2007 11

MaximumPC 2007 11, MaximumPC

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//-->G9 Gaming Mouse–Reviewed!Can Logitech’s new gaming mousemake you the next hot pro gamer?The Death of DirectX 10?Microsoft’s update may meandoom for your GeForce 8800The World’s First Storage RobotDoes the Drobo robot live up to thehype? Our punishing review tells all!HEAL&INOCULATEYOUR PCWi-Fi Router RoundupNext-genWi-Fi: Is itworth theupgrade?We test802.11n!MINIMUM BS • NOVEMBER 2007RID YOUR RIG OF SPYWARE ANDPREVENT EVERY FUTURE INFECTION!✔Purge Viruses✔Surf Safely✔Remove Rootkits✔Fortify Your Firewall✔Ban Bloatware✔Above all else: Avoid Infestation!RAID EncyclopediaEverythingyou need toknow aboutdisk arrays:performance,size & specsHow to get your messy computer cablesUNDER CONTROL!ContentsEd WordIManagingMaximumExpectationsPlease send feedbackand heirloom tomatoes towill@maximumpc.com.t’s not easy being aMaximum PCeditor.Sure, there are terrific days—like the time Ibenchmarked the first DirectX 9 videocard, andthe day we took our first dual-core Opteronfor a spin in the Lab. But we don’t get saucynew hardware every day, and there really areunpleasant downsides to the gig. First andforemost, when you’re aMaximum PCeditor,you’re saddled with expectations. Sure, myAthlon 64 4800+ gaming rig was OK, especiallywith a GeForce 8800 GTX. But aMaximum PCeditor needs to run the very best, and so, withyou guys in mind, I hit Newegg and ordered onlythe finest, most dreamworthy upgrade parts for anew build. Such are the trials we face.Then there’s the home network situation.Listeners of our No BS Podcast know that I’mmoving into a new house. They also know thatI didn’t think a mere wireless network would beup toMaximum PCspec. So I was resigned towire the whole house with Cat5e. My home hasa crawlspace, so I didn’t need to brave the attic(there are wasps up there!), but, unfortunately, thecrawlspace is inaccurately named. At 24-incheshigh, it’s more of a monkey-crawl-like-they-do-in-WWII-movies space. After a full day of squirmingfrom one end of my home to the other, I managedto pull cables into every room in the house—even the bathroom. You can get the full report(including goofy photos of me in the crawlspace)here:Sure, I probably could have survived with Wi-Fi,but I didn’t want to let you guys down.And then there’s the fatiguing hassle ofprerelease hardware. Next month, I’m reviewingToshiba’s sweet, new ultra-portable notebook; itweighs three pounds and is one inch thick—andI’ve got a serious problem. After I send the reviewsample back to Toshiba, I’ll be forced to go backto my underpowered 10-pounder. So I’m goingto have to trot out and buy one of these newlightweights. Not for me, but for you. I just don’twant to disappoint theMaximum PCfaithful.So, as I sit back on the couch, watchinghigh-def streaming video and barely noticing theweight of my new laptop, don’t feel sorry for me.Just know how much I care.MAXIMUMPC11/07Features24HealYour PCRid your computer of no-good, nastycritters, and then keep it running intip-top shape!44Learn all you need to knowabout making multiple harddrives work for you.RAID DoneRight56Get the skinny oncertified 802.11ngear.Wi-FiRoutersNOVEMBER 2007MAXIMUMPC05MAXIMUMPCEDITORIALEDITOR IN CHIEFWill SmithMANAGING EDITORTom EdwardsEXECUTIVE EDITORMichael BrownSENIOR EDITORGordon Mah UngSENIOR EDITORKatherine StevensonASSOCIATE EDITORDavid MurphyEDITORIAL ASSISTANTNathan EdwardsCONTRIBUTING WRITERSNorman Chan, Mike Chin, TomHalfhill, Paul Lilly, Roman Loyola, Thomas McDonaldEDITOR EMERITUSAndrew SanchezARTART DIRECTORNatalie JedayASSOCIATE ART DIRECTORBoni UzilevskyPHOTO EDITORMark MadeoASSOCIATE PHOTOGRAPHERSamantha BergCONTRIBUTING ARTISTSMartin AbelBUSINESSGROUP PUBLISHERStacey Levy650-238-2319, slevy@futureus.comASSOCIATE PUBLISHERRob Smith650-238-2503, rsmith@futureus.comWESTERN AD DIRECTORDave Lynn949-360-4443, dlynn@futureus.comWESTERN AD MANAGERGabe Rogol650-238-2409, grogol@futureus.comEASTERN AD MANAGERLarry Presser646-723-5459, lpresser@futureus.comEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, GAMES GROUPDavid Cooper646-723-5447, dcooper@futureus.comADVERTISING DIRECTOR, GAMES GROUPNate Hunt646-723-5416, hneal@futureus.comADVERTISING COORDINATORJose Urrutia650-238-2498, jurrutia@futureus.comSENIOR MARKETING MANAGERAlison McCreeryMARKETING COORDINATORMichael BasilioPRODUCTIONPRODUCTION DIRECTORRichie LesovoyPRODUCTION COORDINATORDan MalloryCIRCULATIONCIRCULATION DIRECTORPeter KellyNEWSSTAND MANAGERElliott KigerNEWSSTAND COORDINATORAlex GuzmanINTERNET SUBSCRIPTION MARKETING MANAGERBetsy WongPRINT ORDER COORDINATORHeidi HapinContentsDepartmentsQuick StartMicrosoft unveils anew graphics spec—DX10.1..................09R&DEverything you ever wantedto know about power supplies ............76WatchDogMaximum PC takesa bite out of bad gear .............................16Head2HeadIs a gaming keyboardsuperior to a standard plank? ................20How ToTidy up your computer’scables .....................................................72In the LabMore about RAID, anda primer on optical drive testing ..........78In/OutYou write, we respond........118Rig of the MonthBrianCarter’s Mystique2 ............................120Ask the DoctorDiagnosingand curing your PC problems ................7486ReviewsDesktop PCDell XPS 720 H2C ......80VideocardDiamond ViperRadeon HD 2900XT ................................84External hard driveToshibaPortable ...................................................8492FUTURE US, INC4000 Shoreline Court, Suite 400, South San Francisco, CA 94080www.futureus-inc.comPRESIDENTJonathan Simpson-BintVICE PRESIDENT/COOTom ValentinoCFOJohn SuttonGENERAL COUNSELCharles SchugPUBLISHING DIRECTOR/GAMESSimon WhitcombePUBLISHING DIRECTOR/BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTDave BarrowEDITORIAL DIRECTOR/TECHNOLOGYJon PhillipsEDITORIAL DIRECTOR/MUSICBrad TolinskiDIRECTOR OF CENTRAL SERVICESNancy DurlesterPRODUCTION DIRECTORRichie LesovoyFuture US, Inc. is part of Future plc.Future produces carefully targetedspecial-interest magazines, websitesand events for people who share apassion. We aim to satisfy that pas-sion by creating titles offering valuefor money, reliable information, smartbuying advice and which are a plea-sure to read or visit. Today we publishmore than 150 magazines, 65 web-sites and a growing number of events in the US, UK, France and Italy.Over 100 international editions of our magazines are also publishedin 30 other countries across the world.Future plc is a public company quoted on the London Stock Exchange(symbol: FUTR).FUTURE plc30 Monmouth St., Bath, Avon, BA1 2BW, Englandwww.futureplc.comTel +44 1225 442244NON-EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN:Roger ParryCHIEF EXECUTIVE:Stevie SpringGROUP FINANCE DIRECTOR:John BowmanTel +44 1225 442244www.futureplc.comREPRINTS:For reprints, contact Ryan Derfler, Reprint OperationsSpecialist, 717.399.1900 ext. 167or email: futurenetworkusa@reprintbuyer.comSUBSCRIPTION QUERIES:Please email customerservice@maximumpc.com or call customer service toll-free at 800.274.3421Maximum PC ISSN: 1522-4279External storageData RoboticsDrobo ........................................................86Monitor standAtdec VisidecFreestanding Double ..............................86Color calibratorPantoneHueyPro ...................................................88Gaming mouseLogitech G9 ........88Data transfer deviceDataDrive Thru Tornado ...................................9090SpeakersYamaha NX-U10;Blue Sky EXO 2.1; Anthony GalloTR-2 .....................................................94Water coolerSwiftech H20-120....90USB headsetsRocketfish USBGaming Headset; Turtle Beach EarForce AK-R8 Headset .............................92DSC-W80; Olympus Stylus 780;FujiFilm F40fd...........................................96DigicamsSony Cyber-shotCellphonesApple iPhone;Keyboard/MouseHTC Mogul ...............................................98Microsoft Natural ErgonomicDesktop 7000 ..........................................100GamingGhost Recon AdvancedWarfighter 2...........................................100100Medal of Honor: Airborne...................102NOVEMBER 2007MAXIMUMPC07MAXIMUMPCEDITORIALEDITOR IN CHIEFWill SmithMANAGING EDITORTom EdwardsEXECUTIVE EDITORMichael BrownSENIOR EDITORGordon Mah UngSENIOR EDITORKatherine StevensonASSOCIATE EDITORDavid MurphyEDITORIAL ASSISTANTNathan EdwardsCONTRIBUTING WRITERSNorman Chan, Mike Chin, TomHalfhill, Paul Lilly, Roman Loyola, Thomas McDonaldEDITOR EMERITUSAndrew SanchezARTART DIRECTORNatalie JedayASSOCIATE ART DIRECTORBoni UzilevskyPHOTO EDITORMark MadeoASSOCIATE PHOTOGRAPHERSamantha BergCONTRIBUTING ARTISTSMartin AbelBUSINESSGROUP PUBLISHERStacey Levy650-238-2319, slevy@futureus.comASSOCIATE PUBLISHERRob Smith650-238-2503, rsmith@futureus.comWESTERN AD DIRECTORDave Lynn949-360-4443, dlynn@futureus.comWESTERN AD MANAGERGabe Rogol650-238-2409, grogol@futureus.comEASTERN AD MANAGERLarry Presser646-723-5459, lpresser@futureus.comEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, GAMES GROUPDavid Cooper646-723-5447, dcooper@futureus.comADVERTISING DIRECTOR, GAMES GROUPNate Hunt646-723-5416, hneal@futureus.comADVERTISING COORDINATORJose Urrutia650-238-2498, jurrutia@futureus.comSENIOR MARKETING MANAGERAlison McCreeryMARKETING COORDINATORMichael BasilioPRODUCTIONPRODUCTION DIRECTORRichie LesovoyPRODUCTION COORDINATORDan MalloryCIRCULATIONCIRCULATION DIRECTORPeter KellyNEWSSTAND MANAGERElliott KigerNEWSSTAND COORDINATORAlex GuzmanINTERNET SUBSCRIPTION MARKETING MANAGERBetsy WongPRINT ORDER COORDINATORHeidi HapinContentsDepartmentsQuick StartMicrosoft unveils anew graphics spec—DX10.1..................09R&DEverything you ever wantedto know about power supplies ............76WatchDogMaximum PC takesa bite out of bad gear .............................16Head2HeadIs a gaming keyboardsuperior to a standard plank? ................20How ToTidy up your computer’scables .....................................................72In the LabMore about RAID, anda primer on optical drive testing ..........78In/OutYou write, we respond........118Rig of the MonthBrianCarter’s Mystique2 ............................120Ask the DoctorDiagnosingand curing your PC problems ................7486ReviewsDesktop PCDell XPS 720 H2C ......80VideocardDiamond ViperRadeon HD 2900XT ................................84External hard driveToshibaPortable ...................................................8492FUTURE US, INC4000 Shoreline Court, Suite 400, South San Francisco, CA 94080www.futureus-inc.comPRESIDENTJonathan Simpson-BintVICE PRESIDENT/COOTom ValentinoCFOJohn SuttonGENERAL COUNSELCharles SchugPUBLISHING DIRECTOR/GAMESSimon WhitcombePUBLISHING DIRECTOR/BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTDave BarrowEDITORIAL DIRECTOR/TECHNOLOGYJon PhillipsEDITORIAL DIRECTOR/MUSICBrad TolinskiDIRECTOR OF CENTRAL SERVICESNancy DurlesterPRODUCTION DIRECTORRichie LesovoyFuture US, Inc. is part of Future plc.Future produces carefully targetedspecial-interest magazines, websitesand events for people who share apassion. We aim to satisfy that pas-sion by creating titles offering valuefor money, reliable information, smartbuying advice and which are a plea-sure to read or visit. Today we publishmore than 150 magazines, 65 web-sites and a growing number of events in the US, UK, France and Italy.Over 100 international editions of our magazines are also publishedin 30 other countries across the world.Future plc is a public company quoted on the London Stock Exchange(symbol: FUTR).FUTURE plc30 Monmouth St., Bath, Avon, BA1 2BW, Englandwww.futureplc.comTel +44 1225 442244NON-EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN:Roger ParryCHIEF EXECUTIVE:Stevie SpringGROUP FINANCE DIRECTOR:John BowmanTel +44 1225 442244www.futureplc.comREPRINTS:For reprints, contact Ryan Derfler, Reprint OperationsSpecialist, 717.399.1900 ext. 167or email: futurenetworkusa@reprintbuyer.comSUBSCRIPTION QUERIES:Please email customerservice@maximumpc.com or call customer service toll-free at 800.274.3421Maximum PC ISSN: 1522-4279External storageData RoboticsDrobo ........................................................86Monitor standAtdec VisidecFreestanding Double ..............................86Color calibratorPantoneHueyPro ...................................................88Gaming mouseLogitech G9 ........88Data transfer deviceDataDrive Thru Tornado ...................................9090SpeakersYamaha NX-U10;Blue Sky EXO 2.1; Anthony GalloTR-2 .....................................................94Water coolerSwiftech H20-120....90USB headsetsRocketfish USBGaming Headset; Turtle Beach EarForce AK-R8 Headset .............................92DSC-W80; Olympus Stylus 780;FujiFilm F40fd...........................................96DigicamsSony Cyber-shotCellphonesApple iPhone;Keyboard/MouseHTC Mogul ...............................................98Microsoft Natural ErgonomicDesktop 7000 ..........................................100GamingGhost Recon AdvancedWarfighter 2...........................................100100Medal of Honor: Airborne...................102NOVEMBER 2007MAXIMUMPC07THE BEGINNING OF THE MAGAZINE, WHERE ARTICLES ARE SMALLquickstartIs Your DX10 Card AlreadyObsolete?It’s been barely a year sinceDirectX 10 debuted, andeven less time since it’sbeen supported throughVista, but Microsoft hasalready released a revisionof the specDevelopment of the GeForce 8800 series began too late for inclusion of DX10.1 features.It didn’t take long after Microsoft demon-strated DirectX 10.1 at the graphics showSIGGRAPH for the grousing to begin.“The new 10.1 update to DX10 makesthe current videocard crop obsolete….I’m sure that it’s backward compatiblewith DX10, but why on earth would MSdo that?” complained one person in theInternet peanut gallery. And that grouserwasn’t alone. Far and wide, the complaintmachine cranked away, with most of thepanic coming from those who had plunkeddown cash for pricey DX10 cards. Wouldthose cards now be obsolete?Absolutely not, Sam Glassenberg, leadprogrammer for DX10.1, toldMaximum PC.“The updated API provides full sup-port for all existing Direct3D 10 hardwareand upcoming hardware that supports theextended feature set,” Glassenberg said.“The API is a strict superset. No hardwaresupport has been removed in DirectX 10.1.”The update itself, as its name implies, ismostly incremental. Besides supporting allof the features of DX10, DX10.1 now makesseveral formerly optional features mandatory,including 4x AA and 32-bit floating-pointfiltering. Microsoft’s rationale for this wasdriven by its experience with DX9. Becausemany hardware features were not manda-tory with that spec, graphics vendors cher-ry-picked which elements to support. Thiswas particularly troublesome for developerswho had to write multiple render paths thattargeted specific videocards.The DX10.1update willnot impactyour ability toplay Crysis ontoday’s cards.Other new features in DX10.1 seemaimed at increasing performance. The specsupports blendable SNORM formats, whichwill reduce the number of rendering passesa graphics card must make when layeringeffects in a scene. The updated API alsosupports indexable cubemaps, which willnegate the need for CPU intervention (andshould increase performance) when switch-ing from one cubemap to another.Still, why didn’t the features get rolledinto the original DX10 cards instead ofdribbling out a few months later after Vistalaunched? Nvidia’s Ken Brown explainedthat the DX10.1 spec wasn’t availablewhen GeForce 8800 development startedmore than four years ago. “API owners arealways adding new features, but hardwarehas to be finalized to meet productionschedules,” Brown toldMaximum PC.Hewas also quick to calm those folks whofear instant obsolescence. “Regardless,DX 10.1 is a minor update that providessupport for only a few new features. DX10.1 fully supports DX10 hardware; it’sbasically an update to DX10 that extendsthe hardware functionality slightly.”Graphics industry analyst Jon Peddieagrees that the fear by users is unrealistic,as DX10.1 will be compatible with DX10.He also said the people who rushed outto buy $600 graphics cards aren’t exactlythe kind of folks who use the same GPUfor three years. Peddie said the update ismostly good because it helps make theplatform more uniform.NOVEMBER 2007MAXIMUMPC09 [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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