Intel finally got the ball rolling on its third generation Core processor family codenamed "Ivy Bridge", which will go into making most of the company's client processor portfolio for 2012. These chips are characterized as being the world's first microprocessors built on the 22 nanometer silicon fabrication process. Intel aided miniaturization of circuits to such tiny scale thanks to 3D Transistor technology, a space-efficient nano-scale transistor design that enables chip-designers to achieve higher transistor densities, and come up with ever more powerful chips.

The third-generation Core processor family is based around a single die design (pictured below), from which it will carve out numerous SKUs in the client market in May-June, and enterprise market (under its Xeon brand, towards the end of June). These SKUs will be carved out by toggling the various parallel components (such as x86 cores, cache banks, processor graphics cores, and of course clock-speeds). The new Core processor family is expected to feature higher performance per clock-speed, and higher efficiency. Intel's Kirk Skaugen has been quoted by the BBC as saying "This is the world's first 22 nm product and we'll be delivering about 20% more processor performance using 20% less average power."

MSI has received high marks from all quarters for its high-end gaming laptops, including being selected for Innovations Honorees at the CES 2012, the IT industry's equivalent of an Oscar. Now, MSI is introducing the GE60 and GE70-the ultimate in next generation gaming notebooks. They feature Intel's latest quad core processor and new generation NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M discrete graphics card. Specially designed to meet the extreme demands of extreme gamers around the world. These killer notebooks also boast awesome peripherals.

Leading international graphics card maker MSI today officially announced the new GTX 680 Twin Frozr /OC graphics card equipped with the latest NVIDIA 28nm GeForce GTX 680 GPU, 2GB video memory and PCI Express Gen3 support. The new GTX 680 Twin Frozr /OC sports the popular Twin Frozr III thermal design, featuring dual 80mm Propeller Blade fans, a nickel-plated copper base heat sink and SuperPipe technology. MSI's GTX 680 Twin Frozr /OC has 22°C lower temperatures and runs 10.2dB quieter than the reference design, providing the perfect balance of low-noise and great cooling capabilities.

In addition the GTX 680 Twin Frozr /OC also supports MSI's Afterburner overclocking utility, which enables you to tweak power and clock settings to get even more performance out of your graphics card. Both NVIDIA 3D Vision Surround and 4 display out from a single card are supported ensuring that gamers can enjoy the best entertainment and multitasking experience possible.

NVIDIA has today made available a new graphics drive, the beta-tagged GeForce 301.24 which includes support for the GeForce 6, 7, 8, 9, 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 Series cards, as well as for the GeForce GTX 680.

Download: Windows 7/Vista (32-bit) | Windows 7/Vista (64-bit) | Windows XP (32-bit) | Windows XP (64-bit)

As the leading brand in enthusiastic graphics market, Gainward, again, introduces its Phantom series for GeForce GTX 680 - Gainward GeForce GTX 680 Phantom. The Gainward GTX 680 Phantom, continue the elegant design of the first generation, delivers much better performance than the previous design. The most important is the Gainward GeForce GTX 680 Phantom comes with factory over-clocked setting - 1150MHz boost clock (1084MHz base clock) and 3150MHz (DDR6300) memory clock.

It is really a "silent monster", the fastest GTX 680 in the market and extreme cool under gaming environment. Under 3D benchmark, it is 12.6% higher than reference board (3DMark 2011 Xscore). While in gameplay, it is around 10% higher. To compare with the competing GPU in red camp, it performs 27.7% higher in 3DMark 2011 Xscore and exceeds amazingly 32% in hot titles gaming performance.

Palit Microsystems Ltd, the leading graphics card manufacturer, announced a brand new Jetstream series at the GeForce GTX 680 The Palit Jetstream series of graphics cards features innovative cooling and an optimized product design to deliver gamers the ultimate gaming experience. As the latest and most powerful GPU in the series, the Palit Jetstream GeForce GTX 680 Jetstream guarantees gamers cutting-edge performance and an explosive new gaming experience.

The factory overclocked Palit GeForce GTX 680 Jetstream is at boost clock 1150 MHz that is +92 MHz than the standard speed and 2GB GDDR5 memory clock is set at 6300 MHz (+292 MHz higher). Equipped with the Jetstream cooler and optimized product design, Palit GeForce GTX680 Jetstream performs 12.5% higher at 3DMark11 Xscore and average 10% higher among all hot gaming titles.

AMD today announced a collaboration with Green Hills Software, the largest independent vendor of embedded software, that brings its industry-leading INTEGRITY real-time operating system (RTOS) to the AMD Embedded G-Series Accelerated Processing Unit (APU) platform. The combination of INTEGRITY RTOS with the AMD Embedded G-Series APU creates a high performance, reliable and secure embedded computing solution or use across a range of applications including industrial control systems, consumer, networking, military/aerospace and medical.

The INTEGRITY RTOS offers support for multi-core x86 CPUs in the AMD Embedded G-Series APU with its v10.0.2 SMP release. The AMD Embedded G-Series APU offers an advanced, low-power, multi-core x86 CPU and a discrete-class DirectX 11-capable GPU on a single chip. This specific family of APUs was created expressly for the requirements of embedded systems, many of which require the precise, deterministic timing of an RTOS.

Eurocom is supporting the new line of high performance GeForce GPUs from NVIDIA including the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 675M, 670M and 660 in single and SLI configurations in select models. Eurocom will also be supporting the NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M in select Optimus models.

The addition of the NVIDIA GeForce GTX and GT series GPU offers users new levels of high performance GPUs for computing in single and SLI (dual) configurations in new Eurocom notebooks based on next generation Intel technology. The new NVIDIA 600 series GPUs will complement the NVIDIA Quadro GPUs, already offered by Eurocom to its professional clients. NVIDIA GeForce GTX 675M comes with 2 GB of DDR5 memory, 384 CUDA cores with the GPU running at 620 Mhz for the utmost in graphics performance. Eurocom will be utilizing NVIDIA 3D technology in single and SLI configurations to improve overall graphics and 3D professional capability with enhanced performance. The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 670M comes with 1.5 GB DDR5 memory, 336 CUDA cores with the GPU running at 598 MHz. NVIDIA's GeForce GTX 660M comes with 1.5 GB DDR5 memory, 384 CUDA cores, with the GPU running at 835 MHz.

V3 Gaming, manufacturer of high-end computer systems, has announced the availability of the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 graphics card in all of its desktop computer systems. The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 is the fastest DirectX 11 card to date by a significant margin, and packs in an unbelievable amount of features, such as single-card NVIDIA Surround and NVIDIA Adaptive Vertical Sync technology.

The new NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 graphics card is the first look at the all new "Kepler" GPU architecture that represents a significant upgrade over the previous generation in terms of both performance and functionality. NVIDIA's Kepler architecture brings massive GPU compute superiority and is designed to deliver faster, more power-efficient performance. The GeForce GTX 680 is equipped with 1536 CUDA cores arranged in the brand new SMX streaming multiprocessor configuration and 2 GB of high-speed GDDR5 memory.

Palit-owned AIB maker Gainward has done as expected today by unveiling a branded GeForce GTX 680 graphics card. Seen below, the Kepler-powered card features support for DirectX 11(.1), CUDA, PhysX, 3D Vision Surround, and for 3-way SLI.

Like all the other stock GTX 680s announced today, Gainward's offering has 1536 CUDA Cores, a base GPU clock of 1006 MHz, a 256-bit memory interface, 2 GB of GDDR5 VRAM @ 6000 MHz, a PCI-Express 3.0 bus, two 6-pin PCIe power connectors, and dual-DVI, HDMI and DisplayPort outputs. The card is now available priced at €498.95.

MSI's upcoming G-Series notebooks will be based on the latest NVIDIA GeForce GTX 670M for the GT60 and GT70 and the GeForce GT 650M discrete mobile graphics chips for the GE60 and GE70 and will also include the powerful 3rd Generation Intel Core processors. Combined with all other features, like MSI's exclusive GPU Boost powered by NVIDIA Optimus, Dynaudio speakers and the SteelSeries keyboard, these notebooks are ready for all current and upcoming games and are simply the perfect choice for gamers.

The GeForce GTX 680 may be today's highlight release but it's not the only Kepler-based offering unveiled by NVIDIA. Besides announcing its new flagship desktop card, NVIDIA today also introduced multiple GeForce 600M Series mobile cards, four of which are powered by the 28 nm GK107 chip.

The Kepler-flavored models in the 600M family are the Enthusiast-grade GeForce GTX 660M and the 'Performance class' GT 650M, GT 640M and GT 640M LE.

Point of View, a premier NVIDIA graphics partner and manufacturer of Android tablets, notebooks and other hardware, launches today the first card of the GeForce 600 family: the POV GeForce GTX 680.

Current gen games have become more beautiful with higher poly meshes, larger textures and better shading technologies. In their quest for realism, game developers have demanded that we push graphics technologies to the limit.

The DirectX 11 and shader model 5.0 supporting GeForce GTX 680 is unlike any graphics card you've seen so far, performance wise and feature wise!

GIGABYTE Technology Co. LTD., a leading manufacturer of motherboards and graphics cards, is pleased to present Radeon HD 7800 Overclock Series Graphics Card: GV-R787OC-2GD, GV-R785OC-2GD. Built with AMD's latest 28nm GPU and GDDR5 memory, GIGABYTE makes these cards with higher core clock. Equipped with GIGABYTE's latest in-house cooling design and adapted with GIGABYTE Ultra Durable materials, GIGABYTE makes sure that Radeon HD 7800 Series is with the best speed of heat dissipation and performance.

GIGABYTE Radeon HD 7800 Series also provides a number of innovative features including the latest AMD APP Acceleration, Microsoft DirectX 11 supported, AMDHD3D, Crossfire, and PCI-Express 3.0 supported. GIGABYTE GV-R787OC-2GD, GV-R785OC-2GD, guarantee gamers to have the best gaming experience with realistic visuals and fantastic gaming performance.

Hightech Information System (HIS) today announced the launch of the HIS 6670 iSilence 5 1 GB, the ideal graphics card for multi-media and home entertainment enthusiasts looking for a completely silent yet powerful GPU. The card creates zero noise and is ideal for those building a bespoke super silent media centre PC.

The range also features low power consumption and does not require external power, perfect for upgrading your system without having to upgrade your PSU.

The HIS 6670 iSilence 5 1 GB has an SRP (excl. VAT) of £60.

ZOTAC International, a global innovator of graphics cards, mainboards and mini-PCs, today announces the GeForce GTX 560 SE. The new ZOTAC GeForce GTX 560 SE gives gamers a taste of stunning 1080p gaming on a budget.

"1080p resolution displays and Microsoft DirectX 11-enabled titles are affordable and become quite popular among gamers. Our new ZOTAC GeForce GTX 560 SE provides an excellent value for gamers that want to get their feet wet with 1080p and DirectX 11 gaming," said Carsten Berger, marketing director, ZOTAC International.

UNIGINE Corp. released today an improved version (3.0) of its renown Heaven DX11 Benchmark based on its proprietary UNIGINE engine. Great looking as ever and containing many technical improvements, it now runs on Mac and supports for variety of new hardware, including extended support for multi-monitor configurations.

"It's very inspiring that more and more hardware testing professionals as well as tech enthusiasts find Heaven Benchmark useful. Our technology platform is constantly growing and we can bring Heaven Benchmark to new platforms and new hardware", said Denis Shergin, CEO of UNIGINE Corp.

AMD finally posted Catalyst 12.2 WHQL driver suite, the one package that installs drivers and system software for AMD/ATI Radeon GPUs, AMD APU graphics, AMD chipset-integrated graphics, etc. Catalyst 12.2 WHQL brings official support for Radeon HD 7700 series, and Radeon HD 7900 series (for Windows 7/Vista only, for Windows XP it will be added with Catalyst 12.4). Super-sampling AA (SSAA) is now available for DirectX 10 and DirectX 11 applications, supported on the Radeon HD 7700 series and HD 7900 series. It must be enabled through Catalyst Control Center, and application profiles, and games should support in-game AA modes.

AMD also introduced enhancements for Eyefinity 2.1, including custom-resolutions, dynamic configuration changes (switching between different display configurations will occur automatically by loading the appropriate profile, when plugging/unplugging displays); Windows Taskbar re-positioning, and improvements with the Eyefinity Profile Manager. For more information, please refer to the Release Notes document.

DOWNLOAD: AMD Catalyst 12.2 WHQL

AMD posted a new Catalyst driver (8.93.7 RC10) specifically for Windows 8 Consumer Preview. The driver is WDDM 1.2 compliant, and supports all launched AMD Radeon GPUs from HD 5000 thru HD 7000 series (except HD 7900 and HD 7700); AMD A-Series, C-Series, and E-Series APUs; FirePro, and FirePro 3D series products. Highlights include:

• Native Stereo 3D support: Windows 8 will natively support Stereo 3D for full-screen and windowed gaming, and video applications
• Unified Video API - Video playback is now integrated within the DirectX 11 API; enabling simultaneous high quality Video and 3D content, and the potential for enhanced video transcoding performance
• Optimized screen rotation
• Improved sleep / resume performance
• Optimized Power Consumption

DOWNLOAD: AMD Catalyst 8.93.7 RC10 for Windows 8 Consumer Preview

MSI is rolling out its new generation GT685-the ultimate gaming machine. In addition to featuring the Intel second generation Core i7 quad core processor, it is the first laptop to sport the nVidia GeForce GTX 580M, the world's fastest discrete graphics card, 32G DDR3 of memory, and accelerated dual hard disk architecture. It comes with Dynaudio and THX TruStudio Pro smart wrap around sound as well as a full HD screen. The MSI GT685 was awarded Editor's Choice by Thai IT mag Notebook4game.com and to ensure that it remains the top-selling gaming NB brand in Thailand, MSI is holding activities on university campuses to give gaming enthusiasts the opportunity to experience its gaming laptops.

Elitegroup Computer Systems (ECS), the world's leading motherboard, graphics card, barebone system, notebook and mobile device manufacturer will be in CeBIT 2012 in Hall 15, Booth No. D29. This time, ECS will not only present a series of innovative designs and exclusive technologies, but also display a cross-generation breakthrough.

Radeon users who can't/won't wait for a WHQL certification process can now get their hands (not literally) on the Catalyst 12.2 driver featuring support for Radeon HD 2000, HD 3000, HD 4000, HD 5000, HD 6000, and HD 7000 Series cards. Available here for Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7, this release brings the following goodies:

Windows 7 and Windows Vista support for the AMD Radeon HD 7900 Series and AMD Radeon HD 7700 Series

- Enables support for Windows 7 64-bit/32-bit and Windows Vista 64-bit/32-bit
- Windows XP support will be made available in AMD Catalyst 12.4

Super Sampling Anti-Aliasing is now available for DirectX 10 and DirectX 11 applications

- Supported on the AMD Radeon HD 7900 and 7700 Series
- Users can now enable Super Sample Anti-Aliasing and Adaptive Anti-Aliasing through the AMD Catalyst Control Center for DirectX 10 and DirectX 11 applications
- Applications must support in game Anti-Aliasing for the feature to work (Forced on Anti-Aliasing through the Catalyst Control Center is not supported for DirectX 10 and DirectX 11 applications)

AMD (NYSE:AMD) today announced revenue for the fourth quarter of 2011 of $1.69 billion, net loss of $177 million, or $0.24 per share, and operating income of $71 million. The company reported non-GAAP net income of $138 million, or $0.19 per share, and non-GAAP operating income of $172 million. Fourth quarter non-GAAP net income excludes an impairment of AMD's investment in GLOBALFOUNDRIES of $209 million, restructuring charges of $98 million, the loss from discontinued operations of $4 million, the amortization of acquired intangible assets of $3 million and a loss on debt repurchase of $1 million.

For the year ended December 31, 2011, AMD reported revenue of $6.57 billion, net income of $491 million, or $0.66 per share, and operating income of $368 million. Full year non-GAAP net income was $374 million, or $0.50 per share, and non-GAAP operating income was $524 million.

Sunnyvale-based heterogeneous computing promoter AMD has today made available an updated driver for its recently-released Radeon HD 7970 graphics card. Dubbed 8.921.2 RC11, this fresh driver brings the following:

Super Sampling Anti-Aliasing and Adaptive Anti-Aliasing Preview support for DirectX 10 and DirectX 11 applications

- AMD Radeon HD 7900 users can now enable Super Sample Anti-Aliasing and Adaptive Anti-Aliasing through the AMD Catalyst Control Center for DirectX 10 and DirectX 11 applications.
- Applications must support in game Anti-Aliasing for the feature to work (Forced on Anti-Aliasing through the Catalyst Control Center is not supported for DirectX 10 and DirectX 11 applications).

ZOTAC International, a leading innovator and a channel manufacturer, today launches the ZOTAC D2700-ITX WiFi Supreme - a next-generation mini-ITX platform for DIY home theater PC users. The ZOTAC D2700-ITX WiFi Supreme combines the latest energy-efficient Intel Atom processor with world-class NVIDIA GeForce graphics processors for superior energy-efficiency and stunning high-definition video playback.

The latest generation Intel Atom D2700 CedarTrail processor with dual cores and Intel HyperThreading technology enables the ZOTAC D2700-ITX WiFi Supreme to deliver snappy multitasking responsiveness for everyday computing tasks. The NVIDIA GeForce GT 520 graphics processor equips the ZOTAC D2700-ITX WiFi Supreme with hardware-accelerated Blu-ray 3D playback capabilities and HDMI 1.4a technology for the ultimate 3D high-definition experience.