| October 2013: Put it to the Test Posted: 20 Feb 2014 03:51 PM PST  In the PDF archive of the October 2013 issue you can find
- Put it to the Test!
- How to Cash in on Bitcoin
- Put on your Coding Cap
- Asus Z87-Deluxe Review
- Samsung 840 Evo 1TB Review
- And more!
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| Maximum PC Video Intern Wanted Posted: 20 Feb 2014 02:26 PM PST  Are you a college student who's interested in producing video content?
Would you like to see more video content on Maximum PC? Yes? Good, because so do we! That's why we would like your help! If you're an able-bodied college student living in the San Francisco Bay Area and would like the opportunity to produce video content around PC hardware, we would love to hear from ya! If you're interested in applying for our new video intern position, the details are below. Do keep in mind, however, that you will have to be a student who can recieve college credit to be eligible for the internship. Also, you will have to deal with Gordon Mah Ung's myriad rants on a day-to-day basis! Video Intern – MaxPC Future US is looking for a video intern to work with Maximum PC Candidates should have: • A passion for producing video content around PC hardware • Video editing skills • Experience using Adobe Premiere or similar video-editing software • Experience using Adobe Photoshop or similar photo-editing software • Experience using audio equipment (setting up mics/headphones, etc.) and audio-editing software (Audacity, etc.) • Filming/Photography skills • Interest and knowledge of PC hardware • Writing/reporting abilities Among the tasks you'll do: • Edit Maximum PC's podcast/videocast • Shoot and edit unboxing videos, product demos, interviews, discussions, video reviews, etc. • Write editorial copy that supplements video content for the website as needed • Assist with mailing duties • Upload articles to the CMS/website • Daily tasks as assigned *This is an unpaid internship—candidates must be able to receive school credit for participating.* For more information about the company, please check out our website at www.futureus.com Only applicants who are currently enrolled in a school program will be contacted during this search What we offer: • Fantastic resume-building experience in a professional working environment • A casual, comfortable dress setting. • A culture that encourages a passion for life both inside and outside of the office. • Don't want to drive? Not to worry – Future US offers a free shuttle from BART and CalTrain to the office. To apply for this position click on the link below: https://theapplicantmanager.com/jobs?pos=FS154 |
| Super Talent DRAM Disk Review Posted: 20 Feb 2014 11:51 AM PST 
USB DRAM thumb drive shows off its uber fast RAM disk. When we first heard of this USB DRAM disk, we didn't really know what it was, but we knew we wanted to try it out. Now that we've had a chance to kick the tires, we're impressed, even though it's not the most practical thing in the world. Then again, acquiring maximum performance is rarely practical, yet it's still our raison d'etre. The DRAM Disk is a USB 3.0 thumb drive available in 8GB, 16GB, and 32GB capacities and includes software to create a RAM disk. It works quite well, though the key itself features a boring design. The way this bad boy works is, when you plug in the drive there are two volumes—the main USB 3.0 drive, and a second volume that appears like a CD/DVD to the system and contains the RAM disk software and a user guide. Once you install the software, which takes five seconds, a new volume appears, and that's your RAM disk. Whatever you copy into the RAM Disk folder is also synced in the background to a folder on the USB key, which is handy but it also demonstrates the problem with RAM disks. Since they use volatile DRAM, as soon as the system loses power everything on them is deleted, so it's not safe to keep any data on them without a backup since one accidental reboot or Windows update and all your data goes sigh-oh-narr-ah. On our test system with 8GB of RAM, the RAM disk was 2.90GB, though we could have made it smaller via the included software. Adding another 4GB of RAM increased the size of the RAM disk by 1.4GB. The RAM disk itself is insanely fast, hitting 5GB/s read speeds and 8GB/s write speeds in CrystalDiskMark. You can copy gigs of data in a millisecond, and it's truly breathtaking to witness. The USB 3.0 portion of the key is standard stuff, running at about 100MB/s in our transfer tests, so you could use it like a standard-issue key if you want to. Overall we dig the DRAM Disk. It makes it quick and painless to run a RAM disk, which provides insane speed for scratch disks and other temporary files. It works exactly as advertised and is totally affordable too, costing just $15. We think it's pretty sweet, but are withholding the Kick Ass, as it needs more capacity and a better chassis design. $15 www.supertalent.com |
| Check Out How Micron Makes Crucial Ballistix Memory Posted: 20 Feb 2014 10:50 AM PST  Video shows an inside look at Crucial's manufacturing process
It's not too often that system builders and related component makers pull the curtain back to reveal what goes on behind the scenes, but that's exactly what Micron did with its Crucial division. Crucial Ballistix memory is built entirely in-house and is designed and developed by parent company Micron. In a video recently posted to YouTube, Micron shows how its Crucial Balistix RAM is manufactured and tested. The Ballistix line represents Crucial's performance memory for gamers, overclockers, and enthusiasts. It starts with pure silicon wafers that are moved through more than 800 different processes in clean rooms that are 100 times cleaner than a hospital operating room. It takes over a month just to produce a finished wafer, and that's only the beginning. Micron's video continues through the rest of the process, which features plenty of automated machinery. If you have 2 minutes to spare, it's definitely worth a watch: Props to Legit Reviews for finding this gem. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
| LaCie Announces 5TB External Hard Drive for Beefy Backups Posted: 20 Feb 2014 09:30 AM PST  The industry's first 5TB external hard drive
Hard drive makers only recently began announcing 5TB capacity HDDs, but it looks like LaCie will be the first one to bring 5TB of external storage to market. LaCie announced today the availability of 5TB (7200 RPM) hard drive capacities in its 5big Thunderbolt, 2big Thunderbolt, and d2 Thunderbolt series of external storage solutions. And in case you're wondering, the answer is yes, the 5TB capacity LaCie is touting comes in single-drive configurations. "The availability of 5TB hard drives enables LaCie to deliver significantly more storage capacity in its same compact desktop designs. This saves professionals valuable desktop space," LaCie said. For those who need oodles of storage, LaCie's 5big Thunderbolt now offers capacities of up to 25TB (it's a 5-bay unit) with transfer speeds of up to 785MB/s. According to LaCie, it's an ideal solution for video professionals, especially those working with 4K videos. Pricing starts at $450 (5TB d2 Thunderbolt and USB 3.0). Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
| Nvidia GeForce 334.89 WHQL Drivers Now Available to Download Posted: 20 Feb 2014 09:04 AM PST  New drivers from Nvidia boost performance up to 19 percent
As Nvidia often does when releasing new graphics cards, there are new WHQL-certified drivers to download. According to Nvidia, the recently released GeForce 334.89 drivers offer double-digit percentage performance gains in some titles (up to 19 percent) for GeForce 400, 500, 600, and 700 series GPUs (compared to GeForce 332.21 WHQL). The drivers also add a few new SLI profiles. Starting with the performance gains, Nvidia provides the following examples: - Up to 19 percent in F1 2013
- Up to 18 percent in Sleeping Dogs
- UP to 16 percent in Hitman Absolution
- Up to 15 percent in Company of Heroes 2
- Up to 10 percent in Assassin's Creed 3
- Up to 7 percent in BioShock Infinite
- Up to 6 percent in Sniper Elite V2
- Up to 5 percent in Total War: Rome 2
Beyond the performance boost, installing the new drivers add SLI profiles for Assassin's Creed: Liberation HD, Assassin's Creed: Freedom Cry, Deus Ex: Human Revolution Director's Cut, and The Crew. You can check out the full release notes (PDF) for more information, and then download the drivers direct from Nvidia. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
| Feenix Claims Aria Headset Delivers "Audiophile Level" Audio to Gamers Posted: 20 Feb 2014 07:04 AM PST  A premium priced headset with 50mm drivers
Never heard of Feenix, you say? The company is a relative newcomer to the field of PC peripherals and appears to be trying to make a splash by combining elegant designs with premium crafted components. Fleshing out a limited (but growing) catalog of peripherals is the Aria, which Feenix claims is a "studio grade" headphone and microphone combination. Let's take a peek at the specs. The Aria features 50mm full range neodymium magnet drivers for "studio monitor sound performance." Each driver is purportedly sound checked prior to assembly. They're then hand-installed into earcups made from Japanese Pine wood and covered with 100 percent memory foam and protein leather. From a specification standpoint, the headset is rated as follows: - Impedance: 64 ohm
- Sensitivity: 101db
- Frequency Response: 10Hz-26KHz
- Weight: 370g
"For years gamers have been mislead as to what they should be looking for in a gaming headset. Their choices have had nothing but poor sound quality, gimmicky features, and unnaturally over pronounced bass," said Feenix creative director, Ashkon Shayani. "The Aria focuses on providing high grade audio and reproducing sounds perfectly in studio monitor fashion. The result is the ability to hear sounds you never knew existed." The Aria is currently available to pre-order for $349. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
| Facebook Gobbles Up WhatsApp Messaging Service for $19 Billion Posted: 20 Feb 2014 06:02 AM PST  Mark Zuckerberg makes a major play in the mobile messaging arena
One thing is certain, Facebook isn't the least bit afraid to throw obscene amounts of cash at startups and services that have proven themselves in the public eye. It's a rather long list that includes Instagram ($1 billion), FriendFeed ($47.5 million), ConnectU ($31 million), and several others, though Facebook just announced its largest acquisition to date -- $19 billion for WhatsApp. Zuckerberg made the surprise announcement on his Facebook page, stating that WhatsApp will help the world's largest social playground succeed in its mission to make the world more open and connected. It also helps that WhatsApp is attracting scores of new users on a daily basis. "WhatsApp is a simple, fast and reliable mobile messaging service that is used by over 450 million people on every major mobile platform. More than 1 million people sign up for WhatsApp every day and it is on its way to connecting one billion people. More and more people rely on WhatsApp to communicate with all of their contacts every day," Zuckerberg said. The entire WhatsApp team is being absorbed by Facebook where they'll continue to operate independently of the social network. Zuckerberg said the product roadmap will remain the same as well, so nothing really changes here except that the startup is now backed by a multi-billion dollar firm. It's an interesting acquisition by Facebook considering the hefty price tag. WhatsApp doesn't have any advertising revenue and makes relatively little money by charging users $1 per year for the service, and that's after giving them the first year for free. Facebook's willingness to pay $19 billion for WhatsApp underscores the value it's putting on the mobile messaging game, as well how far it will go to retain social networking users. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
| Newegg Daily Deals: Seagate Backup Plus Slim 1TB, XFX Core Edition 550W PSU, and More! Posted: 20 Feb 2014 06:00 AM PST |
