VFMF Technology Reviews

Powerful enough for media applications, yet small enough to carry around. Computer manufacturers keep developing smaller gadgets for our never ending computer needs. The Samsung Q1 Ultra is a good example. Although the performance of the Q1 Ultra cannot be compared to today’s laptops, it is a very useful tool to carry with you. It allows you to surf the internet, play movies, listen to music and much more. Its functionality is perfect for the busy business(wo)man who feels like carrying his/her laptop around is too much hassle.

Samsung opted for a rather unusual keyboard setup. Instead of the usual slide-out design, the Q1 Ultra has a split QWERTY keyboard, with each side of the unit housing 1 half of the keyboard.

Click here for more details on the Q1 Ultra.

Overview of the Intel Core 2 Quad Q9300.

The Intel Core 2 Quad Q9300 processor is the entry level Quad processor with a front bus speed of 1333 mhz. With 6 MB of L2 cache speed isn’t a problem for this performance addicted piece of hardware. I still remember the days (not that long ago) when you had to pay double the price of what the Q9300 costs just to get a Quad core CPU. Intel has been revamping and updating their line of CPUs constantly over the last few years. They are slowly phasing out the FSB 1066 mhz family, and are already offering an amazing CPU with 1600 MHZ front bus speed (the QX9770)! You may think that the CPU speed of 2.5 ghz isn’t all that impressive, but wait till you see the overclocking capability of the Q9300. Nordichardware reported that they were able to overclock it to 3.7 ghz, a massive increase of almost 50%.

Compared to the older Q6600 (which sells for only a little less), you are getting a decent improvement in overall peformance on all levels. The only negative we noticed is when comparing this Quad CPU with a Duo Core during benchmark tests with such games as Quake 4. It is obvious that games (and many desktop applications) are still not optimized for use with a Quad processor. You could conclude that for the best performance in games released in 2007 and 2008 a good Duo core (the E8500 for example) will be more viable. Yet, to be ready for the future the Q9300 is a great investment.

Average rating based on review sites : 8/10.

You can purchase the Q9300 at trusted Amazon by clicking here. Or as second option, if you want a Duo Core - take a look at the E8500.

Overview of the XFX GeForce 9800GX2.

The days when graphic cards were small, taking up little space in your PC case are long gone. They’ve grown in size and demand more power. This in contrast to CPUs and some other hardware parts. The problem with graphic cards is that they emit a lot of heat, and that heat needs to go somewhere. The XFX GeForce 9800GX2 is the perfect match for demanding gamers. It’s simply a monster card packing 1 GB of RAM and a memory clock set at 2GHZ. The ever growing demands for high-end graphics by the next generation of games requires suitable hardware. XFX has done a good job at meeting those demands with the 9800GX2. This giant will easily outperform the very respectable Nvidia 8800 Ultra series, without a doubt. It’s not a cheap toy to have inside your PC, but boy - the fun you’ll have will make up for its price tag and space requirements. Crysis at maximum settings, here I come!

Average rating based on review sites : 8/10.

Are you ready for this monster? Check out Amazon by clicking here.

Short review of the Asus Striker II Formula.

Are you an ambitious gamer and only want the best? Perhaps this recent Asus motherboard will be the right pick for you. Asus has been developing motherboards for gamers for a few years now, and most of them have impressed gamers. This board is ready for your overclocking needs, comes with all the latest features such as Core 2 and Quad CPU support. Interestingly it packs DDR 2 slots, not DDR 3. There are several advantages though. Memory has been slightly more expensive lately, especially the new DDR 3 modules. Most systems are still being sold with DDR 2 memory - at 1066 mhz you will still have respectable memory speed.

This motherboard is definitely NOT one of the cheapest available. It’s a high-end piece of hardware, and the price reflects that (priced at around $340 usd). Please check where you buy it and see if it includes the PC game Company of Heroes : Opposing Fronts, it’s a nice bonus! The motherboard adds 10 USB 2.0 ports to your system, and can support up to 8 GB of RAM. You can add up to 3 SLI-ready NVIDA graphic cards, for the ultimate gaming experience. Overclocking is possible and rather easy with the provided tools. However, it does not overclock as good as some of the former Republic of Gamers motherboards.

Average rating based on review sites : 7/10.

You can buy it at Amazon by clicking here.