TSMC today announced that its 28nm process is in volume production and production wafers have been shipped to customers. TSMC leads the foundry segment to achieve volume production at 28nm node.

TSMC's 28nm process offering includes 28nm High Performance (28HP), 28nm High Performance Low Power (28HPL), 28nm Low Power (28LP), and 28nm High Performance Mobile Computing (28HPM). Among these technology offerings, 28HP, 28HPL and 28LP are all in volume production and 28HPM will be ready for production by the end of this year. The production-version design collateral of 28HPM has been distributed to most mobile computing customers for their product-design use.

EVGA was missing on the LGA2011 motherboard wall at this year's Computex event in June. EVGA is one of the top brands overclockers and enthusiasts look forward to, for motherboards. As a late consolation, EVGA gave out a teaser picture of one of its upcoming X79 motherboards a little later in June. At GeForce LAN 6, however, EVGA made full use of the spotlight to unveil its X79 Classified (E799), a top-tier socket LGA2011 motherboard clearly designed for overclockers.

The X79 Classified uses a traditional LGA2011 motherboard layout, but with wide open spaces to make insulating it (against condensation) easier. The CPU power delivery seems to be in the hands of some very high-grade VRM design, it draws power from two 8-pin EPS connectors apart from the 24-pin ATX (that's right-angled). There are just four DDR3 DIMM slots, one per memory channel. A 4-phase memory VRM is deployed. Over the chipset area, a large contiguous heatsink covers most hot components in the central-right region. We don't expect there to be a bridge chip.

Graphics major NVIDIA has begun sampling the first GPUs of its next-generation Kepler family. Kepler succeeds the present generation Fermi family of GPUs, that make up the GeForce 400 and 500 series. Members of the GeForce Kepler family will follow the codename nomenclature of GK1xx, like GeForce Fermi followed GF1xx. The first GPU being sampled is codenamed GK107. The codename suggests that this isn't the top-end part, it's more like a lower-mainstream or value segment offering.

It is reported that GK107 has a 128-bit GDDR5 memory bus, which also supports inexpensive DDR3 memory. It is built in small quantities on TSMC's 28 nanometer fab process (as the foundry isn't ready for 28 nm bulk manufacturing. NVIDIA will follow a "bottom-to-top" strategy, when dealing with a new fab process technology. It will first design the smallest, simplest GPUs in the lineup, and then gradually move on to larger ones. The first GK107-based SKUs will succeed the GeForce GT 500M series. NVIDIA will carve out four SKUs, internally, NVIDIA will refer to those as N13P-LP, N13P-GS, N13P-GT and N13E-GE, with N13E-GE being the "enthusiast" part. Its market SKU will likely succeed the GeForce GT 560M.

ZOTAC International, a leading innovator and channel manufacturer, today expands the value GeForce GT 520 lineup with new PCI and PCI Express x1 form factors for users with pre-built systems that have limited expansion capabilities. The new ZOTAC GeForce GT 520 PCI and PCI Express x1 graphics cards breathe new life into older systems by delivering a performance punch and new video capabilities.

"Upgrading your graphics card is the easiest way to boost your system performance and gain new capabilities. The new ZOTAC GeForce GT 520 PCI and PCI Express x1 graphics cards shows that you can experience good graphics without upgrading the rest of your system," said Carsten Berger, marketing director, ZOTAC International.

NVIDIA today released a new BETA version of its GeForce driver suite. What makes the new GeForce 285.38 BETA important is its timing, and what it brings to the table. Recently, EA/DICE released an open-beta of the highly anticipated AAA title, Battlefield 3, and gamers are already sharpening their skills ahead of its market release.

The new GeForce BETA drivers are said to increase performance of Battlefield 3 beta by up to 38%, add SLI profiles for the game, and add several stability fixes and image-quality improvements for the game. In essence, Battlefield 3 beta is at the center of GeForce 285.38 BETA. Apart from Battlefield 3, the drivers add SLI profiles for Dead Island, Diablo III, Dragon Age 2, Need for Speed: The Run, and Saints Row: The Third; and fix a stability issue with Crysis 2 (DirectX 9).

DOWNLOAD: NVIDIA GeForce 285.38 BETA

The EVGA GTX 580 Classified 3072MB, previously announced on TechPowerUp, is now available to buy according to this forum post by an EVGA product manager - in limited quantities, of course. According to Gaming Blend, this card can amazingly reach a doubled 1.6GHz core clock when overclocked using waterblocks - GTX 590 eat your heart out! This card also has custom designed VRMs to take all the extra power that the card will use, which means that they won't squeal when the card is overclocked hard and also when running intensive applications such as Folding@Home.
UPDATE: Turns out that 1.6GHz overclock was actually achieved using LN2, not water. To confirm it, click the EVGA promo link after the jump and see the extreme cooling section video, or just skip directly to the YouTube video here.

LG announced its first 3D-capable notebook, the XNote A530. Two of its biggest selling points are the 15-inch LED backlit display that's capable of 1920 x 1080 pixels resolution, and stereoscopic 3D webcam, that uses two individual cameras to build a stereo 3D video stream, backed by LG's software. The XNote A530 is powered by "Sandy Bridge" 2nd Generation Intel Core i7 processor and NVIDIA GeForce GT 555M graphics. A Korean press release also mentions that the notebook will back 3D PT software, that allows users to make stereo 3D presentations that can be displayed using 3D-capable displays and projectors. The company did not announce pricing and availability details.

FinalWire, the company behind AIDA64, and the people behind its predecessor Everest, announced the latest version of the popular system diagnostic and benchmarking suite, AIDA64 1.85. Apart from the usual load of security and stability fixes, AIDA64 1.85 packs a number of new features, including advanced multi-device Logitech LCD support; improved support for socket FM1 motherboards; temperature, fan and voltage measurement corrections; preliminary support for next-generation AMD Trinity accelerated processing units (APUs); support for NVIDIA GeForce 510 and GTX 580M; and support for detecting a GPU's compliance with OpenGL 4.2 API.DOWNLOAD: AIDA64 1.85 Installer | ZIP Package

After a period of sales lead by AMD in the category of notebook discrete graphics, NVIDIA's sales grew in Q2 2011 by 8.9pp, taking it to 50.6%, making it the leader in the category by a slim margin. Analysts predict that this figure will only go up in the third quarter of 2011, as ASUS, MSI, and Clevo are scheduled to launch more GeForce 500M series based notebooks in the quarter. These include ASUS 17-inch G74SX and 15-inch G53SX, both which use GeForce GTX 560M; MSI's GT780 and GT683 based on GTX 570M, and Clevo's 17-inch X7200 that packs GTX 580M.

NVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDA) today reported revenue of $1.02 billion for the second quarter of fiscal 2012 ended July 31, 2011, up 5.7 percent from the prior quarter, and up 25.3 percent from $811.2 million in the same period a year earlier. On a GAAP basis, the company recorded net income of $151.6 million, or $0.25 per diluted share, for the second quarter of fiscal 2012. This includes a two-cent dilutive impact from the Icera acquisition. It compares with net income of $135.2 million, or $0.22 per diluted share, in the prior quarter. In the same period a year earlier, the company had a net loss of $141.0 million, or $0.25 per diluted share.

On a non-GAAP basis -- which excludes stock-based compensation, amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, other acquisition related costs, and the tax impact associated with these items -- net income was $193.5 million, or $0.32 per diluted share. That compares with net income of $165.7 million, or $0.27 per diluted share, in the prior quarter, and net income of $47.6 million, $0.08 per share, in the same period a year earlier.

NVIDIA today released this month's first major GeForce software update, version 280.26. The suite provides the latest WHQL-signed drivers for all NVIDIA GeForce GPUs since 6-series, and ION platform. It includes updated PhysX system software (v9.10.0514), and NVIDIA HDMI audio drivers (v1.2.23.3). The new drivers include support for SLI on AMD 990FX, 990X, and 970 desktop chipsets (on certified motherboards only). Apart from that, the 3D Vision component has undergone a massive overhaul.

The 3D Vision Controller driver is now included with all GPU driver installations. The 3D Vision player now supports windowed mode. Support is added for new 3D Vision compatible monitors, such as ViewSonic V3D245, and 3D Vision compatble projectors such as Acer X1111, BenQ W710ST, and NEC NP-V300W.

DOWNLOAD: NVIDIA GeForce 280.26 WHQL for Windows 7/Vista 64-bit | Windows 7/Vista 32-bit | Windows XP 32-bit | Windows XP 64-bit

ViewSonic Corp., a leading global provider of computing, consumer electronics and communications solutions, today continues its leadership in display innovation with the new V3D245 - a 24-inch 3D, full HD (1080p) LED monitor that includes a built-in NVIDIA 3D Vision wireless emitter and NVIDIA 3D Vision glasses.

Combining world-leading LED technology with extraordinary power-saving performance, this 24-inch (23.6-inch vis.) monitor offers a stunning 120Hz frame refresh rate and ultra-fast 2ms video response time, and HDMI 1.4 input making it ideal for delivering a truly immersive 2D and 3D entertainment and gaming experience. Paired with a 1920x1080 full HD resolution, 20,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio and 300 nits high brightness, users can expect great color accuracy and picture detail for unsurpassed 3D image quality.

MSI has rolled out the X460 and X460DX, the newest additions to its X-Slim Series of notebook computers. The 14-inch X460, for example, is less than 1" thick and tips the scales as just 1.98 kg-currently the lightest Intel Core i7 quad core processor packing laptop out there. Also worthy of note, a second internal hard drive is optional with the X460 and X460DX to greatly enlarge storage capacity and if you go with the optional SSD hard drive, you'll kick up system performance. This pair of laptops packs plenty of punch.

Eric Kuo, associate vice president for global sales, MSI Notebook, notes that the X460 also comes with new generation Intel Wireless Display to transmit 1080p HD programs to large screen full HDTVs, so you can enjoy high resolution pictures and 5.1 channel wrap around sound without the hassle of wires.

NVIDIA today released its latest version of the GeForce software suite, version 275.50 BETA. With this release, NVIDIA enables SLI support on AMD socket AM3+ platform. The driver enables SLI multi-GPU technology certified AMD 990FX, AMD 990X, and AMD 970 motherboards. Keep in mind, not every AMD 9-series chipset-based motherboard will run SLI, only certified ones, just like not every Intel 5-series and 6-series chipset based motherboard features SLI. Look for the SLI logo when buying the motherboard.

Besides this major change, GeForce 275.50 improves 3D Vision performance on Duke Nukem Forever. It adds new 3D Vision profiles for Duke Nukem Forever Demo, Mars benchmark, Rise of the Immortals, and Rusty Hearts. 3D Vision profile for Alice: Madness Returns is improved. This is a BETA release, use of which is not covered by product warranties. SLI support on AMD, and all features in this release will be carried forward by future WHQL-signed driver releases.

DOWNLOAD: NVIDIA GeForce 275.50 BETA

Amidst all the Computex fanfare, NVIDIA released its rather silent update to the GeForce software suite, with GeForce 275.33 WHQL. The driver includes all the updates of GeForce 275.27 BETA. A performance-drop issue found on The Witcher 2 played on 275.27 BETA, was fixed. Aside from that, a number of performance improvements are carried forward from 275.27 BETA, and released in the WHQL-signed 275.33. These are specific to GeForce GTX 580 and GTX 560, and provide performance improvements by as much as 15% in some cases.

DOWNLOAD: NVIDIA GeForce 275.33 WHQL

A list of performance improvements follows.

Point of View the leading European manufacturer of an exclusive range NVIDIA based 3D processor graphics cards, advanced netbooks as well as Tegra tablet computers and additional enthusiast PC products, announces today that the factory over clocked POV/TGT GeForce GTX 580 3GB Ultra Charged already started shipping into the European e-tail channel.

The hand selected POV/TGT GeForce GTX 3GB 580 Ultra Charged is of highest quality and tuned by TGT in Germany to feature rock solid stability even beyond the documented clock settings of 841 MHz (plus) core clock, 1682 MHz (plus) shader clock and 4104 MHz memory clock.

Club 3D today announced a new GeForce GTS 450 graphics card that comes with 2 GB of DDR3 memory instead of its standard 1 GB GDDR5. The memory is installed across a 128-bit wide memory interface. Club 3D's card bears a standard-looking design with a green, full-height PCB, and simple fan-heatsink with radially-projecting aluminum fins and a fan to ventilate it. There's an SLI finger to provide 2-way SLI support.

The Club 3D GTS 450 2 GB varries clock speeds of 700 MHz core, 1400 MHz CUDA cores, and 1200 MHz memory. The DirectX 11 compliant GPU packs 192 CUDA cores. Display output connectivity includes one each of DVI, D-Sub, and HDMI 1.4a. NVIDIA 3DVision Surround is supported with two of these cards installed in SLI. Club 3D did not give out pricing information.

The Eurocom Optimus line are performance-oriented business and gaming-friendly notebooks based on Intel's Sandy Bridge technology with discrete NVIDIA GT 555M graphics and longer battery life thanks to NVIDIA Optimus Technology. NVIDIA Optimus technology intelligently optimizes your notebook PC, providing the outstanding graphics performance you need, when you need it, all the while extending battery life for longer enjoyment. They are built around the Intel Huron River HM65 platform and support Intel's mobile line of Sandy Bridge Core i7, i5 and i3 processors.

PNY Technologies, Inc. ("PNY") today announced the NVIDIA Verto GeForce GT 520 1024MB graphics card. The new PNY GT 520 graphics card is the perfect mainstream upgrade to bring the latest technology to computers at a reasonable cost. Whether you're watching or editing HD video, enhancing photos, or gaming with support for DirectX 11, this latest PNY graphics card provides a solution for every graphics need. The on-board HDMI port allows for easy connectivity to any HDMI enabled computer monitor or television.

"This mainstream graphics card caters to a wide variety of consumers looking to upgrade their PCs to handle the now everyday tasks of living in a digital world," said Nicholas Mauro, senior marketing manager, PC components for PNY. "It's an ideal solution to enhance your overall computer visualization experience at an affordable cost."

MVKTech released the latest stable version of NVIDIA BIOS Editor, also known as NiBiTor. The popular NVIDIA GeForce/Quadro BIOS file manipulation utility has been updated to version 6.02, and comes with added support for a large number of GPUs, particularly high-end mobile GPUs and mainstream desktop. This includes the recently released GTX 550 Ti, apart from GT 440, GT 330, GT 130, G 100, and Quadro Fermi 600. Mobile GPUs supported with this version include GTX 470M, GTS 425M, GTS 350M, and updated support for GTX 460M.

"With NiBiTor we provide graphics card enthusiasts or hardcore overclockers full control over some advanced features and functionality found on firmware of supported cards. And by doing so users can gain some extra performance, enable certain hidden features, tweak memory timings, access device related information, adapt bootup settings, change fan speed options and even get extra stability using their NVIDIA based graphics accelerators which will just give them that little extra value," commented the developer.

DOWNLOAD: NVIDIA BIOS Editor (NiBiTor) v6.02

Club 3D B.V. is pleased to announce the introduction of the highest performing card in the GTX 550Ti series. The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 550Ti CoolStream Super OC Edition sports now 940 Mhz GPU clock speed and 4300 Mhz on memory, delivering a cost-effective solution for the most demanding hard-core gamer.

With NVIDIA 3D Vision technology you can now use two Gefore GTX 550Ti CoolStream Super OC Edition cards in NVIDIA SLI configuration to project across three displays. The new card comes equipped with CoolStream Cooling Technology to run your hottest titles without compromising performance.

TechPowerUp today released version 0.5.2 of GPU-Z, our popular graphics hardware information and diagnostic utility that gives you information about the installed graphics hardware in your computer, and lets you monitor various parameters such as clock speeds, temperatures, fan speeds, and voltages, all in real-time. GPU-Z is also backed by our overclock validation system and video card BIOS database. Version 0.5.2 adds support for new GPUs, improved support for known GPUs, and a timely dose of stability improvements.

To begin with, GPU-Z 0.5.2 can now detect AMD Radeon HD 6990, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 590, GTX 550 Ti, GTX 560 Ti; improved support for GTX 570, and Intel "Sandy Bridge" processor-embedded graphics. The CHL8228 VRM controller found on some Radeon HD 6900 series cards is supported. There's improved OpenCL support detection for AMD/ATI GPUs, and improved driver-based monitoring support for AMD/ATI GPUs in general. A number of stability/reliability fixes were introduced.DOWNLOAD: TechPowerUp GPU-Z 0.5.2

The changelog for GPU-Z 0.5.2 follows:

PC gaming just got a lot more fun today with the introduction of the GeForce GTX 550 Ti graphics processing unit (GPU) with an estimated e-tail price of £119. The GTX 550 Ti is the latest in NVIDIA's Fermi line of consumer GPUs, designed to deliver stunning DirectX 11 performance. It brings a new level of price/performance to mainstream PC gaming, while maintaining exceptionally quiet acoustics and requiring minimal power.

Like all NVIDIA "DX11 Done Right" GPUs, the GTX 550 Ti delivers the world's fastest performance in its class for DX11 games. Compared with the closest competitive product, the GTX 550 Ti is up to 50 percent faster in today's newest DX11 tessellated games, and 38 percent fasteri in previous-generation DX9 and DX10 games. And with NVIDIA SLI technology, the industry's most scalable multi-GPU platform, gamers will be able to increase their PC's gaming performance by adding a second GeForce GTX 550 Ti.

VR-Zone got a hold of the cooler shroud design of NVIDIA's upcoming GeForce GTX 590 graphics card. The drawing reveals something very similar to that of the GeForce GTX 295 rev. 2 (or single-slot), and tells us a bit about the cooler. The cooler will use a large fan (probably 80 mm in diameter) to blow air on to two heatsinks on its either sides. Channels, and the heatsinks themselves will guide air across both ends of the cooler. Hot air from the first GPU (closest to the display connectors) will exhaust from the rear bracket, while that from the second GPU (farthest from the display connectors), will exhaust into the case. There are spaces on either sides of the fan for partner product artwork. There is more space on top. Next to the cutout for the power connectors, is the GeForce logo. NVIDIA's GeForce GTX 590 is a dual-GPU graphics card based on two GF110 cores. It will be released on the 22nd of March.

Continuing its tradition of holding G Series gaming laptops to the highest standards, MSI unveiled its new generation GE620 and GR620 NBs with Intel's second generation Core i7 quad core processor and Intel's latest generation Turbo Boost 2.0 which significantly boosts performance in each core. The GE620 also packs the DirectX 11-supporting nVidia GeForce GT 540M discrete graphics card to enhance game resolution, so that you can see details of objects off in the distance, such as lines on building walls, increasing game realism.

Eric Kuo, associate vice president for global sales, MSI Notebook, notes that the glowing white characters "MSI" in the center of the cover of these machines set off their brush metal finish, underscoring their stylish high tech looks and putting them in a class all their own. What's more, new generation GE620 and GR620 feature cinema-grade THX TruStudio Pro smart wrap around sound, so regardless of the kind of music you play, they reproduce it faithfully.