File Server Builder's Guide

The proliferation of mobile devices, multi-computer homes, broadband internet access, inexpensive mass storage, and the replacement of many other home electronics by the PC (such as media devices like DVD, BRD, and CD players by HTPCs) has resulted in ever-increasing interest in specialized file server computers.  Whether you're a typical home user with a desktop and a laptop or a power user with multiple desktops, laptops, netbooks, and tablets who also has remote access to home systems from work or on the road, your computing experience could likely be enriched by shared data access.  Whether your budget and storage needs are modest or extensive, we have you covered in the latest builder's guide to file server systems.

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Sandy Bridge Buyer’s Guide

Almost a half-year after the launch of the second-generation Core processors, Intel’s newest CPUs remain dominant in the mid- to high-end desktop computing markets. Since the January release of the initial Sandy Bridge chips, myriad newer, niche-specific CPUs have arrived at retailers. Importantly, the Cougar Point chipset debacle is entirely resolved, with all Sandy Bridge-supporting motherboards available through reputable retailers free of the degrading SATA ports that plagued Sandy Bridge’s first few months.

Like the Sandy Bridge CPUs themselves, the Cougar Point motherboards have diversified into a range of budgets and feature sets. Given the recently announced delay of AMD’s upcoming Bulldozer processors for desktops, Sandy Bridge will remain unchallenged at the high-end of desktop computing until at least September. If you want to build a powerful desktop to use when you’re not lounging by the pool and grilling delicious meats this summer, this guide has you covered with a $500 budget build, a $1,000 midrange system, and a $2,000 high-end gaming-centered system (give or take).

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Small Form Factor Buyers’ Guide

Last month our builder’s guide focused on nettops: low power, less capable, physically diminutive desktop computer systems. We included a non-nettop CPU (Intel Core i3) system as a substantially more capable but only slightly more power-hungry alternative to the nettops. This system and the mini-ITX small form factor (SFF) prompted a lot of reader interest in this typically underappreciated desktop computing segment. In response, this month we’re outlining myriad mini-ITX SFF systems—from basic office machines to powerful gaming rigs.

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Unlocking The AMD Radeon HD 6950 to 6970 - BIOS Flash Mod Guide

Legit Video Card Reviews

AMD Radeon HD 6950 to HD 6970 Modification

It has been known since the release of the AMD Radeon HD 6950 and Radeon HD 6970 graphics cards that the two cards were virtually identical. The Radeon HD 6950 and the 6970 are both based on AMD’s Cayman GPU core, having identical specifications except for the cards respective maximum power limit and power connectors. The features that are 'locked' on the AMD Radeon HD 6950 are done so in the GPU’s BIOS  or vBIOS and can be ‘easily’ unlocked making the card the same as a AMD Radeon HD 6970 with the exception of the 8-pin PCIe power connector that doesn't appear to be needed.

 

The Radeon HD 6950 has 22 SIMD units which make up 1408 ALU’s and the card operates at a 800MHz core clock with a 1250MHz memory clock. The main point to take note of is the PowerTune maximum limit as this will have the most effect on this upgrade.

The Radeon HD 6970 on the other hand has 24 SIMD units making up 1536 ALU’s total. Note the higher core clock and memory clock as well. All of this can be obtained on a 6950 with just a simple BIOS flash.

Any 2GB reference design HD 6950 should allow this process to be successful, to varying degrees. 1GB models are upgradable as well, however for the full 6970 upgrade a 1GB BIOS is required. For this tutorial and testing we will be using an ASUS Radeon HD 6950 (EAH6950/2DI2S/2GD5) which is based on the AMD reference design. This card has been discontinued and a revised model with an updated cooler has been released in its place (EAH6950 DCII/2DI4S/2GD5).The ASUS EAH6950 DCII/2DI4S/2GD5 graphics card retails for $304.99 plus $3.99 shipping at Newegg, but we are going to try and turn it into the ASUS EAH6970 that retails for $379.99!

Over the course of the following pages we will compare performance of the 6950 at several different stages of modification and clock speeds.

• Stock 6950 BIOS. This will be our baseline.


• 6950 BIOS with Shaders unlocked. Core and memory clocks will remain at stock. This will use the BIOS already on the card.


• 6970 BIOS @ 6950 core clock. The core clock will remain at stock for this card, however the memory clock will be at 6970 speeds.


• 6970 BIOS @ full 6970 speeds.

Next Page - Software Required & Test System

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Nettop and Mini-ITX Buyer’s Guide

Most of our Buyer's Guides focus on full desktop builds, but what about something a little smaller? Perhaps you're looking for an inexpensive yet sufficiently powerful system to function as an HTPC, or maybe you want a low power device so you can cut down a bit on power bills. Whatever the reason, if you're interested in building a mini-ITX system or a nettop we've got several takes on the concept to discuss.

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Budget System Builder’s Guide February 2011

With the recent launch of Sandy Bridge, we had hoped to put together some Buyers' Guides covering the changes in the market. Unfortunately, with the recall/bug of the 6-series chipsets, SNB is now on hold. There will always be newer and faster parts just over the horizon, but while we await SNB and Bulldozer, we felt the time was ripe for a Budget Buyers' Guide update. We have three complete system builds, as well as a variety of potential upgrades, with pricing ranging from $400 just for the main box and components up to nearly $800 for a complete system with some worthwhile upgrades.

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