ASUS finally announced its flagship AMD Radeon graphics card, the Matrix HD 7970 Platinum. The card basked in camera flashlight at this years biggest tech tradeshows, and is released to the market with the new Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition ASIC, that includes PowerTune with Boost technology. Available in two variants, the base model (1000/1050/6600 MHz core/boost/memory), and Platinum (1050/1100/6600 MHz), the card uses a strong 20-phase VRM that draws power from two 8-pin PCIe power connectors. The VRM features sophisticated load-line calibration features with manual LLC factor control (fine-tune protection against V-droop during voltage-sensitive overclocking sessions).

Apart from manual LLC factor tuning, the card features VGA Hotwire, clearly labeled points on its PCB that let you outfit it with manual voltage tuning circuitry. The card provides software voltage control via GPU Tweak, too, but is restricted to ~1.3V. The PCB features an LN2 mode switch, which loads an extreme cooling-optimized BIOS. A fan-override button shoots fan speed to 100% without software interference. Lastly, the card is cooled by a triple-slot ROG-styled DirectCU II cooler that covers most hot components, including the GPU, memory, and VRM. An additional LN2-optimized VRM heatsink is included in the package. Prices start at US $490.

ASUS has announced their F2A85 Series motherboards based on the new AMD A85X chipset and FM2 socket, designed for AMD's second generation Accelerated Processing Units (APU). The next generation APU offers superb performance to deliver users an upgraded gaming and multimedia experience. Embedded in the APU is an AMD Radeon HD 7000 Series GPU that drives superior performance-per-watt graphics, which is bolstered by support for AMD Eyefinity technology enabling an ultra-immersive visual environment on up to three independent display outputs. Users also have the option to add a discrete graphics card to enable the Dual Graphics feature, which provides users with even better graphics performance along with peace-of-mind future upgradability.

F2A85 Series motherboards come with a variety of ASUS-exclusive features to get users more out of their APU, including Dual Intelligent Processors 3 (DIP3) with new DIGI+ Power Controls to save up to 65% in system energy, GPU Boost to enhance integrated graphics up to 17%, a worry-free USB BIOS Flashback tool and Remote GO! to complement the multimedia experience. In addition to the ASUS exclusive features is a superior design built with high quality components. Examples include a more efficient and silent heat-pipe cooling design that provides better overclocking ability, along with Super Alloy Chokes that give the motherboard both a high current capability and low heat generation. Combined, they make the F2A85 Series motherboards the perfect platform for everything from HTPCs to mainstream PCs.

DisplayLink, the leading provider of technology for virtual graphics and USB-connected computing, and ASUS, a global leader in the new digital era, today announced the launch of their latest USB 3.0 universal docking station, powered by DisplayLink's SuperSpeed DL-3900 silicon, which integrates graphics, Gigabit Ethernet, and audio.

The sleek new ASUS USB 3.0-based design saves desk space and increases productivity thanks to multitasking with multiple monitors while facilitating meticulous ergonomics to accommodate user needs. Dock expandability includes HDMI, DVI, VGA, Gigabit Ethernet, 2.1 audio, microphone, plus USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 connections.

ASUS released a VGA BIOS update for its GeForce GTX 660 Ti DirectCU II series graphics cards that enhances performance and overclocking. To begin with, the new BIOS increases GPU Boost frequency, so the card provides higher performance at stock speeds. The BIOS also increases the power limit, resulting in greater overclocking headroom. ASUS released the BIOS all three of its GTX 660 Ti DirectCU II series, as BIOS image files and an executable that updates BIOS from within Windows. Find the new BIOS specific to your model in the download section of its corresponding product pages.DOWNLOAD: BIOS Update for ASUS GTX 660 Ti DirectCU II Series

ASUS launches the ROG TYTAN CG8890 Desktop PC, powered by a liquid-cooled Intel Core i7-3960X processor with Turbo Gear enabling 6-core CPU instant overclocking to reach a maximum speed of 4.2 GHz. It comes equipped with the latest NVIDIA GeForce GTX 690 graphics card that supports up to four monitors, while dual 128 GB SATA3 SSDs in RAID 0 delivers four times greater data access speeds than generic HDDs. The audio quality is further enhanced by an ASUS Xonar DX sound card, providing 35 times clearer audio than onboard audio codecs, giving gamers an audio advantage over their opponents.

On top of the aerodynamic polygonal exterior that features an intricately designed chassis that transforms when the system is overclocked, the additional DEFCON and bottom grill lighting indicator shows system readiness with blue and red LED lights. With its upgraded 10-way venting and liquid cooled CPU, the CG8890's case is a cooling behemoth engineered to deliver the most efficient heat dissipation and airflow for incredible stability in any extreme condition.

ASUS introduced its newest line of stylish consumer PC monitors under the Designo series. It includes 23-inch MX239H and 27-inch MX279H models, most likely featuring native resolutions of 1920 x 1080 and 2560 x 1440, respectively. The two feature a design which ASUS claims to be "inspired by sundials." Living up to the idea, the design consists of a combination of curves and sharp angles. The most distinct feature is slim bezels around the panel.

At the heart of the Designo series is IPS LCD panels with edge LED illumination. The illumination source is at the edges of the panel, an arrangement that reduces power consumption even further down from conventional LED-backlit LCD monitors, and older CCFL-lit LCDs. Both monitors feature dual-HDMI inputs and Bang & Olufsen ICEpower speakers. The company did not give out pricing information.

ASUS today launches the PB278Q wide quad high definition (WQHD) display. This new ergonomically-designed 27" monitor promises true-to-life 2560 x 1440 resolution visuals courtesy of an LED-backlit, wide-view angle (178°) display.

It is chock-full of features that include ASUS Smart Contrast Ratio technology, 100% sRGB color space compatibility, ASUS exclusive QuickFit Virtual Scale, and Splendid Video Intelligence Technology. It offers extensive multimedia connectivity with HDMI 1.4, DisplayPort 1.2, and Dual-link DVI for WQHD content support; along with built-in twin 3W speakers for an immersive home theatre experience.

ASUS' Republic of Gamers MARS III dual-GeForce GTX 680 graphics card may have been extensively covered at this year's Computex event, but very few have had a peek at its innards (PCB). Expreview posted pictures of the card's PCB, sourced from the manufacturer.

The pictures reveal an unusually long and tall PCB, which draws power from three 8-pin PCIe power connectors, a 21-phase VRM that uses Super Alloy chokes and driver-MOSFETs, PLX PEX8747 PCI-Express 3.0 x48 bridge chip, and of course the two GK104 GPUs with a total of 32 individual GDDR5 memory chips (16 for each GPU, 16 on each side of the PCB) wired to them, totaling 8 GB of memory.

Edit: We received an update from ASUS, clarifying that this card will not be released. The design was only displayed during a factory tour, to show ASUS craftmanship.

ASUS announced a trio of DirectCu V2 series graphics cards, the Radeon HD 7950 DirectCu II V2 TOP (HD7950-DC2T-3GD5-V2), the Radeon HD 7870 DirectCu II V2 TOP (HD7870-DC2TG-2GD5-V2), and Radeon HD 7870 DirectCu II V2 (HD7870-DC2-2GD5-V2). The three cards feature slightly modified cooler and PCB designs over the originals. In case of the HD 7950 DCU2 V2, the cooler is compacted with a denser heatsink, and the PCB reduced in length. In case of the HD 7870 cards, the cooler uses a denser heatsink.

The HD 7950 DCU2 V2 TOP ships with 900 MHz core, and 5.00 GHz GDDR5-effective memory. It packs 3 GB of memory across a 384-bit wide memory interface. The HD 7870 DCU2 V2 TOP ships with 1100 MHz core, and 5.00 GHz memory, while the HD 7870 DCU2 V2 ships with 1000 MHz core and 4.80 GHz memory. The two pack 2 GB of memory across a 256-bit wide memory interface.

ASUS announced as many as five GeForce GTX 660 Ti graphics card models. The cards are based on the company's dual-slot DirectCu II cooling solution, and a PCB design that's similar to that of the GeForce GTX 670 DirectCu series. Among the five models are the GTX660 TI-DC2-2GD5, the base model that sticks to NVIDIA reference clock speeds of 915/980/6008 MHz (core/boost/memory); the GTX660 TI-DC2O-2GD5, with a mild level of factory-overclocking, at 967/1058/6008 MHz; GTX660 TI-DC2T-2GD5, or TOP variant, with 1059/1377/6008 MHz; and variants of the GTX660 TI-DC2O-2GD5 and GTX660 TI-DC2T-2GD5 that feature Steam coupons to Borderlands 2 game.

Based on the 28 nm GK104 silicon, the GeForce GTX 660 Ti packs 1344 CUDA cores, 112 TMUs, 24 ROPs, and a 192-bit wide memory interface, holding 2 GB of memory. ASUS' cards uses two 6-pin PCIe power connectors to draw power. Display outputs include a pair of dual-link DVI, and one each of HDMI and DisplayPort. The cards are 3-way SLI capable. The DirectCu II cooler uses a compound heatsink to which heat is fed by a number of copper heat pipes, which make direct contact with the GPU. ASUS plans 3 GB variants of the same models, in which six 2 Gbit memory chips make up 3072 MB of memory, with 144 GB/s memory bandwidth.

Several Swedish online retailers have begun listing ASUS GeForce GTX 660 Ti DirectCU II graphics card ahead of its worldwide launch. The card is listed at roughly 3,350 to 3,551 Swedish Kronor (US $492 to $521), including local taxes. The lowest price before taxes is 2,679 Kronor ($393.5). Looking at these prices, we expect US pricing to be in the $380-$420 range, before taxes. None of the retailers detailed the card, let alone post pictures of it. Based on the 28 nm GK104 silicon, the GeForce GTX 660 Ti is expected to feature 1,344 CUDA cores, and 2 GB of memory across a 192-bit wide GDDR5 memory interface.

ASUS announced its newest 27-inch 3D desktop monitor, the VG278HE, which packs an LED-backlit LCD panel capable of 144 Hz refresh rate, which adds 24 frames per second to 120 Hz display output, making 3D gaming look even more fluid. The VG278HE makes use of a TN-film panel, with 1920 x 1080 pixels resolution, and 2 ms (GTG) response time. It supports NVIDIA's 3D Vision 2 (kit to be purchased separately). Display inputs include dual-link DVI (dual-link needed for such high refresh-rate, even at 1080p resolution), D-Sub, and HDMI (lower refresh rates with single TMDS link). 6W stereo speakers make for the rest of it. ASUS did not announce pricing or availability.

To provide the best user experience on the AMD platform, ASUS has refreshed a variety of motherboards, including mainstream channel models, dedicated products from ROG and the TUF Series, plus FM1 socket-compatible and power-efficient APU-based models. Each product offers a variety of new ASUS exclusive technologies such as digital power control, Remote GO!, and Network iControl, alongside innovative Fast Boot, ASUS Boot Setting, and DirectKey, all specifically leveraging upcoming Windows 8 capabilities. Both new and existing features have been tailored and tested to comply with the Windows 8 architecture for total stability and maximized utility, while all motherboards have gone through a full series of compatibility assurance tests in getting ready for the move to Windows 8.

AMD (NYSE:AMD) today announced revenue for the second quarter of 2012 of $1.41 billion, net income of $37 million, or $0.05 per share, and operating income of $77 million. The company reported non-GAAP net income of $46 million, or $0.06 per share, and non-GAAP operating income of $86 million.

"Overall weakness in the global economy, softer consumer spending and lower channel demand for our desktop processors in China and Europe made the closing weeks of the quarter challenging," said Rory Read, AMD president and CEO. "We are taking definitive steps to improve our performance and correct the issues within our control as we expect headwinds will continue in the third quarter as the industry sets a new baseline. We remain optimistic about our core businesses as well as future opportunities with our competitively differentiated next-generation Accelerated Processor Units (APUs). Our recently launched Trinity APU continues to gain traction with customers. We are committed to driving profitable growth."

TechPowerUp released GPU-Z 0.6.3, the latest version of the popular PC graphics subsystem information and diagnostic utility. The new release adds support for dozens of new GPUs, including AMD "Trinity" APU-integrated HD 7600D series, upcoming NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660; improves stability in Windows 8, and adds a large number of other stability improvements. GPU-Z 0.6.3 adds support for NVIDIA GPUs including GeForce GT 620, GT 630, GT 640, GTX 660, Tesla M2090, Quadro 1100M, Quadro 5000M, NVS 5400M, G610M, GeForce GT 620M, GT 630M, GT640M LE, and GT 660M; AMD GPUs including Trinity (HD 7600D series), HD 7570, HD 7670, HD 6610M, HD 7550M, HD 7850M, HD 7520G, and HD 7640G.

Keeping in tune with previous versions, GPU-Z 0.6.3 introduces a new killer feature: power-consumption measurement for IGPs (integrated graphics) on Intel "Sandy Bridge" and "Ivy Bridge" Core/Pentium processors. The measurement isolates the power draw of the IGP from the rest of the processor. TechPowerUp GPU-Z 0.6.3 fixes crashes related to OpenCL detection (when using Intel drivers), with improved OpenCL drivers on Intel and AMD graphics drivers. It adds voltage monitoring for Radeon HD 7700 series. Boost clock detection is improved for NVIDIA "Kepler" architecture GPUs.DOWNLOAD: TechPowerUp GPU-Z 0.6.3, GPU-Z 0.6.3 ASUS ROG Edition

The complete change-log follows.

ASUS is working to redesign its Radeon HD 7950 DirectCU II family of graphics cards. The new revision sees a breakaway from the common design that HD 7950 and HD 7970 DirectCU II graphics cards share, to one that has a more compact cooler and PCB, with denser aluminum fin stacks, six copper heat pipes (instead of five on the original design), and a redesigned display output layout (2x DVI DL, 1x HDMI, 1x DisplayPort; compared to 1x DVI, 1x HDMI, and 2x mini-DisplayPort, on the original). The new design could be implemented on both the standard and TOP models. The standard model ships with clock speeds of 800 MHz core, while the TOP model ships with 900 MHz core clock speed. While it's not expected that the new cards will be cheaper than the current HD 7950 DirectCU II cards (at least not significantly), they could let ASUS brace itself for industry-wide price-cuts of the HD 7950, if and when they come about.

ASUS unveiled a 1 liter (volume equivalent) sized nettop, the EeeBox EB1030, powered by Intel Atom "Cedar Trail" platform. It measures just 219 x 172.5 x 29 mm, weighing 690 g. Under the hood is an Atom D2550 dual-core processor, clocked at 1.86 GHz, backed by 1 GB of DDR3 memory, and 320 GB storage. Upgrade options include up to 4 GB of memory, and 500 GB HDD or 32 GB SSD.

Most basic network and peripheral connectivity options are present, including 802.11 b/g/n, gigabit Ethernet, stereo audio with 5.1 channels over SPDIF, legacy serial, and display outputs that include HDMI and D-Sub. The EeeBox EB1030 starts at €296. The company plans two other models, the EB1031 featuring Atom D2700 processor, and the EB1033, which tops the EB1031 up with NVIDIA GeForce GT 610M graphics.

ASUS is reportedly working on a new custom-design Radeon HD 7850 graphics card, to capture a key price-point in the performance market segment. The card uses the company's in-house DirectCu II dual-slot cooling solution, and is labeled "Dragon Edition" (model: DRAGON HD7850-DC2O-2GD5). The card ships with clock speeds lower than those of the HD 7850 DirectCu II TOP, with 910 MHz GPU and 5.00 GHz memory (vs. reference clock speeds of 870/4.84 GHz; and DCU2 TOP clock speeds of 975/5.00 GHz).

Interestingly, the HD 7850 DirectCu II Dragon Edition features a metal back-plate, something even the TOP model lacks. The PCB, too, differs from the that is found in other HD 7850 DCU2 graphics cards, featuring a 6+3 phase Digi+ VRM, which draws power from two 6-pin PCIe power connectors. The main heatsink bears a slightly different design to that of the other DCU2 models based on the GPU. ASUS is likely to price the card somewhere between the stock HD 7850 DirectCu II and the HD 7850 DirectCu II TOP.

ASUS is working on its second Republic of Gamers (ROG) ARES graphics card, the ARES 2 dual-HD 7870. Its first ARES was dual-HD 5870. ASUS' decision to go with a pair of Radeon HD 7870 GPUs, instead of the premium HD 7970, certainly comes as a surprise. With it, one could deduce the target market-segment ASUS is aiming at: US $650-750, providing a solution that outperforms even the fastest HD 7970 GHz Edition and GTX 680 graphics cards, while being cheaper than Radeon HD 7990 (which is MIA), dual-HD 7970 X2, and of course, the GTX 690.

ASUS ARES 2 will back two 28 nm "Pitcairn" GPUs with all components unlocked; likely factory-overclocked speeds beyond those of the HD 7870 GHz Edition; and a total of 4 GB of GDDR5 memory (2 GB per GPU system). The card will draw power from two 8-pin PCIe power connectors, and will have a TDP of around 300W. It will take advantage of AMD ZeroCore CrossFire, with which it powers down the second GPU when not gaming, or with light 3D loads that the first GPU can munch on. With the monitor idling for a set amount of time, both GPUs power down. It's likely that ASUS will use a triple-slot cooling solution, despite the fact that the HD 7870 is a generally cool GPU. Pictured below is the first-generation ROG ARES (dual-HD 5870).Update Jun 26: We have received word from ASUS that "There is no plan to release a dual 7870 VGA".

Today AMD launched the world's fastest graphics processing unit (GPU), the AMD Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition. The AMD Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition uses AMD's innovative Graphics Core Next (GCN) architecture to deliver astonishing performance and breathtaking image quality, providing world-class gameplay at the highest resolutions in the most demanding games such as Battlefield 3, Deus Ex: Human Revolution and DiRT Showdown.

"The AMD Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition rounds out our award-winning GCN family, providing world-class gameplay thanks to the industry's fastest single GPU," said Matt Skynner, corporate vice president and general manager, GPU Division, AMD. "Gamers have been hungry for our AMD Radeon HD 7000 Series since our launch last December. We have been able to meet that growing demand as we expanded our AMD Radeon HD 7000 offerings and brought the industry's most advanced graphics across a complete family of leading-edge desktop and notebook graphics cards."

During the week of Computex 2012, five overclocking records have been achieved with G.SKILL high performance DDR3 memory by several renowned extreme overclockers.Read on for details of the five records.

ASUS unveiled a new line of socket AM3+ motherboards at Computex, which will constitute its lineup at least for the rest of 2012. The new motherboards are based on existing 9-series chipset, and are mere revisions of existing AM3+ motherboard models. These include the Crosshair V Formula-Z (990FX + SB950), M5A99FX PRO R2.0 (990FX + SB950), Sabertooth 990FX R2.0 (990FX + SB950) and M5A99X EVO R2.0 (990X + SB950). What all these motherboards have in common, is a header labeled "TB_HEADER," which connects them to ASUS' Thunderbolt EX add-on card.

The ASUS Thunderbolt EX is a swanky PCI-Express 2.0 x4 add-on card, which is driven by an Intel "Cactus Ridge 2C" Thunderbolt host controller. The TB_HEADER is a low-level connection between the motherboard and the add-on card, which transacts power state, signaling, and device hot-plugging events to the system BIOS. Some of ASUS' recent 7-series LGA1155 motherboards can be retrofitted with Thunderbolt the same way, and feature the same header. The card has a nice EMI shield running the entire length of its PCB. Its rear panel has one full-size DisplayPort, which is actually an input from your graphics card, and one Thunderbolt + mini-DP output.

G.SKILL - manufacturer of world leading high performance memory and SSD, debuts the largest memory computer system that runs a total of 96GB (8GBx 12) RipjawsZ DDR3 1600MHz kit on the latest EVGA SR-X motherboard at Computex 2012.

G.SKILL also displays the fastest memory of G.SKILL's TridentX which achieved the amazing speed over DDR3 3000MHz CL11 16GB (4GBx4) on both ASUS Z77 MAXIMUS V FORMULA and GIGABYTE Z77A-UD5 motherboards.

A star attraction at the motherboard section of ASUS booth was its ZEUS Dual-GPU X79 concept motherboard. We got a chance to talk at lengths with people at ASUS about the exhibit, and learned a few details beyond what we already know. To begin with, ASUS is likely using a pair of "Southern Islands" family discrete mobile GPUs, not desktop ones. Further, it's likely that the GPUs are 28 nm "Pitcairn" based. The two GPUs are installed in CrossFire configuration. The next big detail is that the design focus on [evidently] isn't the integrated dual-GPU, but to demonstrate the first Thunderbolt-equipped X79 motherboard. The ZEUS has not one, but two Thunderbolt ports. The third (and most depressing) detail is that it's "highly unlikely" that the ZEUS will ever make it to the market. Think of it as yet another tradeshow concept by a big company. Perhaps ASUS doesn't want the ZEUS to end up like the ROG GSurf-365, its first off-beat ROG motherboard, which went beyond the show-floor but didn't have market-success.

According to Broadcom vice-president Michael Hurlston, the upcoming ASUS Republic of Gamers G75VW will be the world's first notebook PC with an integrated 802.11ac WLAN adapter. It will be the "world's first 5G Wi-Fi laptop," according to Hurlston. Yet to be released to the market, the G75VW will be equipped with a Broadcom-made 802.11ac adapter, although its product page currently only mentions 802.11n support. The notebook will pack dual-antennae MIMO support, and will be capable of theoretical network speeds in the 800 to 850 Mbps range. Hurlston made this statement at the Computex 2012 company booth.