For skeptics who refuse to believe randomly-sourced bar-graphs of the GeForce GTX 680 that are starved of pictures, here is the first set of benchmarks run by a third-party (neither NVIDIA nor one of its AIC partners). This [p]reviewer from HKEPC has pictures to back his benchmarks. The GeForce GTX 680 was pitted against a Radeon HD 7970, and a previous-generation GeForce GTX 580. The test-bed consisted of an extreme-cooled Intel Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition processor (running at stock frequency), ASUS Rampage IV Extreme motherboard, 8 GB (4x 2 GB) GeIL EVO 2 DDR3-2200 MHz quad-channel memory, Corsair AX1200W PSU, and Windows 7 x64.

Benchmarks included 3DMark 11 (performance preset), Battlefield 3, Batman: Arkham City, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, Lost Planet 2, and Unigine Heaven (version not mentioned, could be 1). All tests were run at a constant resolution of 1920x1080, with 8x MSAA on some tests (mentioned in the graphs).More graphs follow.

GUN'G'STAR of TeamRussia successfully achieved an overclocking record of 5.666 GHz for the quad-core Intel Core i7-3820 processor; a feat that validates the LGA2011 i7-3820 of being a generally good chip for overclocking, despite being "Limited Unlocked" (BClk multiplier being unlocked only to a few notches above its stock setting). GUN'G'STAR achieved a clock speed of 5,665.99 MHz using a BClk speed of 131.74 MHz, a multiplier value of 43x, and core voltage of 1.6V. The chip was assisted with GeIL-made DDR3-1600 memory sitting on all four channels, and ASUS Rampage IV Extreme motherboard. Only 2 out of 4 cores of the i7-3820 were enabled for the feat, HyperThreading was disabled. Extreme cooling was used. The CPU-Z validation can be accessed here.

Following many of its rivals, Taiwanese memory module maker Golden Emperor International Ltd. (aka GeIL) has decided to expand into the solid state drive market. The company is currently finishing up its very first (2.5-inch) SSDs which are known as Zenith S2 (SATA 3.0 Gbps) and Zenith S3 (SATA 6.0 Gbps) and are set to become available as soon as next month.

The Zenith S2 will deliver read/write speeds of up to 280/270 MB/s while the S3 models, which are powered by SandForce SF-2000 Series controllers, will be capable of 500+ MB/s transfer speeds.

The Zenith S2 family will include 60 GB and 120 GB models whereas the Zenith S3 line will feature 60 GB, 120 GB, 240 GB and 480 GB drives. More details about GeIL's SSDs are expected in the coming weeks.

Overclocker "Christian Ney" of the HWBOT community claims to have cracked the 6 GHz clock speed mark with an AMD A8-3870K APU, with all four of its cores enabled. The feat consisted of a clock speed of 6067.7 MHz achieved using a base clock of 258.2 MHz and multiplier of 47.0x. The memory was clocked at 3505 MHz, just 95 MHz short of a world-record. The chip was put through a scorching core voltage of 2V. Supporting components included GIGABYTE A75-UD4H motherboard, and GeIL EVO Corsa DDR3 memory. The setup was cooled sub-zero. CPU-Z Validator rejected this submission, probably because like us, it finds 2V vCore and 258.2 MHz base clock unreal for Llano, since it uses a common 100 MHz clock domain for BClk and PCIe.

GeIL (Golden Emperor Industries Ltd.) rolled out two new lines of DDR3 desktop memory targering the gamer-enthusiast segment, the Enhance Corsa and Evo Corsa. Interestingly, these lines don't include triple-channel kits, but quad-channel ones consisting of four modules, aside from the usual dual-channel kits. Gearing up for the Sandy Bridge-E market early, I see. Among the two lines, the Enhance Corsa consists of bang-for-buck kits with DDR3-1333 MHz and DDR3-1600 MHz.

The USP here is that the 1333 MHz kits will pack an Intel XMP profile that runs the modules at 1500 MHz with CL9 timings, and DRAM voltage of 1.5V; while the DDR3-1600 MHz ones will pack a XMP profile that runs them at 1700 MHz with CL9 timings and 1.5V. Evo Corsa comes in dual and quad-channel kits, consisting of 2 GB or 4 GB modules, making up 4 GB or 8 GB dual-channel; and 8 GB or 16 GB quad-channel kits on offer.

GeIL brand Thortech showed off its high-wattage PSU bearing the coveted 80 PLUS Platinum efficiency rating, the Thortech Platinum Plus 850W. The PSU gives out 850W of continuous power, complemented by over 92% efficiency. It makes use of a single large 100A +12V rail design, backed by high-grade components. While the PSU features a suite of powerprotection mechanisms, it also features a native hardware monitoring heads-up display like its 80 Plus Gold compliant cousins. The display sits into a 5.25" drive bay, displays various PSU parameters, and also gives a bit of control. Thortech's PSU is modular, and packs enough PCI-E cables to power a system with up to three graphics cards.

THORTECH announces the launch of the all new Thunderbolt & Thunderbolt PLUS Series high efficiency gaming performance power supply. The Thunderbolt PLUS Series is equipped with the patented innovative iPower Meter interactive PSU control panel which allows the user to monitor the actual efficiency, wattage, temperature and control the fan speed mode of the PSU, just to name a few. Thunderbolt & Thunderbolt PLUS Series are 80 Plus Gold and NVIDIA SLI certified, as well as compliance with the latest Intel and AMD CPU.

GeIL announces the launch of the all new DDR3 Value PLUS & Ultra PLUS Series to be added to GeILs' high performance memory line of products. The Value PLUS & Ultra PLUS are equipped with the latest PLUS Edition memory heat-spreader designed with heat-sink surface and extended height for maximum cooling efficiency. The Ultra PLUS line of memory will be carrying over-clocking performance while the Value PLUS line has the more stability-oriented specifications. As GeILs' quality standard, both series will be enhanced with DBT - Die-hard Burn-in Technology for the highest quality assurance.

GeIL announces the launch of the all new DDR3 EVO TWO Gaming Series Memory to be added as the benchmark in GeILs' gaming performance memory line of products. Like its' predecessor EVO ONE, the EVO TWO heat-sink system is designed with Maximum Thermal Conduction & Dissipation (MTCD) Technology for maximum cooling efficiency and enhanced memory performance. The EVO TWO Series will be available in the fastest speed as well as covering the rest of the speed range with enhanced performance and stability by GeILs' DBT - Die-hard Burn-in Technology. EVO TWO is the hardcore gaming memory to have.

GeIL is readying a wide range of dual, triple, quad, and hexa-channel (6 piece) DDR3 memory kits that consist of the new Evo Two series DDR3 modules. Evotwo uses a redesigned heatsink that draws and dissipates heat from the heatspreader. The company claims that a technology designed by it called Maximum Thermal Conduction and Dissipation (MTCD) helps, apart from GeIL's much marketed DBT technology that seasons DIMM modules through harsh conditions.

Module densities include 1 GB, 2 GB, and 4 GB; to give 2, 4, 8 GB dual-channel, 3, 6, 12 GB triple-channel, and 12, 24 GB hexa-channel. Speeds range from PC3-8500 (1066 MHz) with timings of 6-6-6-15T, thru PC3-10660 (1333 MHz), PC3-12800 (1600 MHz), PC3-14400 (1800 MHz), PC3-16000 (2000 MHz), PC3-17600 (2133 MHz), PC3-19200 (2400 MHz), and PC3-20000+ (2500+ MHz).

GeIL announces the launch of the all new DDR3 Gaming Series Black Dragon Triple Channel Kit to be added to the performance DDR3 memory module lineup. The Gaming Series DDR3 Black Dragon Triple Channel Kits will be available for the full range of speed with enhanced performance and stability by GeILs' DBT - Die-hard Burn-in Technology.

Available Speeds:

• 1066 MHz CL7&8, 1333 MHz CL6, 7&9, 1600 MHz CL7,8&9,
• 1800 MHz CL7, 8&9, 2000 MHz CL8&9, 2133 MHz CL9

GeIL announces the launch of the all new DDR3 Gaming Series Black Dragon Dual Channel & Quad Channel Kit to be added to the performance DDR3 memory module lineup.

The Gaming Series DDR3 Black Dragon will be available for the full range of speed with enhanced performance and stability by GeILs' DBT - Die-hard Burn-in Technology.

GeIL today introduced a set of DDR2 and DDR3 dual-channel, and quad-channel memory kits. The new DDR2 kits make use of the company's newest 4 GB Black Dragon, Black Dragon EVO One module, while the DDR3 kits include 2 GB modules from the EVO One, and Ultra series. The DDR2 series features 8 GB (2x 4GB) and 16 GB (4x 4GB) kits, while DDR3 ones include 4 GB (2x 2GB) and 8 GB (4x 2GB) modules. The DDR2 series includes PC2-5600 (667 MHz) and PC2-6400 (800 MHz), while the DDR3 series is optimised for Intel LGA-1156 platform, and includes modules running at the speeds of PC3-16000 (2000 MHz) and PC3-17066 (2133 MHz). Detailed specifications follow.

GEIL is yet another company to undertake a green initiative with an appropriately branded product that appeals to the environment-conscious computer enthusiast (apparently the species does exist). After a similar line of memory kits with its DDR2 segment, GEIL announced four new dual-channel DDR3 memory kits based on capacity and speeds. The two come in 4 GB (2x 2 GB) and 2 GB (2x 1 GB) capacities, and two speeds each: PC3-8500 (DDR3 1066 MHz) and PC3-10660 (DDR3 1333 MHz). The biggest USP of these kits are that they offer JEDEC standard memory timings at module voltages 10~20 percent lower than JEDEC specifications. The PC3-10660 kits runs at 9-9-9-24, while the PC3-8500 ones do 8-8-8-20, both at a mere 1.3 V. This allows GEIL to do away with a heatspreader. The modules go through GEIL's rigorous quality-assurance testings and hence carry lifetime warranties. Another part of the green initiative is the product packing, which makes use of recycled paper, a trend which is catching up. GEIL will deck up shelves with these kits shortly, so you could know the price. Model number details follow:

• GG32GB1066C8DC - 2x 1 GB, PC3-8500, 8-8-8-20, 1.3 V
• GG34GB1066C8DC - 2x 2 GB, PC3-8500, 8-8-8-20, 1.3 V
• GG32GB1333C9DC - 2x 1 GB, PC3-10660, 9-9-9-24, 1.3 V
• GG32GB1333C9DC - 2x 2 GB, PC3-10660, 9-9-9-24, 1.3 V

GeIL wants to be the first manufacturer touting the term "hexa-channel" (6-channel) DDR3 memory. While machine architectures using 6-channels (384-bit wide) memory interfaces don't exist, dual-Nehalem Xeon machines use two triple-channel memory arrays. It's a play of the word "6-channels" there. In any case, GeIL is now selling DDR3 memory in kits of six modules. Its lineup spans across three of its main memory product-lines: Value, Ultra, and Gaming series. The kits are available in a variety of configurations that include specified DRAM speeds, and timings, as listed by the table below. The kits come backed by the company's lifetime warranty.

Swayed by all the recently released "Green" products, GeIL today launched a series of green DDR2 memory modules rated to work at 1.6V, lower than the standard 1.8V. Also, the packaging of the Green Series is said to be made of recycled paper pulp. All modules are enhanced with a lifetime warranty as well.

GeIL Memory USA debuts today no less than 22 new triple-channel DDR3 kits, yes twenty two indeed. These kits are part of the company's Value and Utra series. All kits come with lifetime warranty and aluminum heatspreaders. The full list of all memory kits follows below.

GeIL Memory has just released the new EVO Cyclone memory cooler. At first sight this cooler is like most other similar solutions on the market, but it has one unique feature. The single fan that cools the memory has a LED display and embedded thermal sensor, that displays the surrounding temperature and real-time fan speed. Apart from this, the 50mm cooler spins at 3400rpm and produces only 21dBa noise. The EVO Cyclone also comes with a height-adjustable clip designed that fits even memory modules with large heatsinks. GeIL is expected to ship the EVO Cyclone in the weeks to come. To learn more about the product, please go to this page.

US based memory maker GeIL has recently unveiled that it will make use of DBT (Die-hard Burn-in Technology) when manufacturing not only its DDR2 SO-DIMMs but also the Black Dragon and BD EVO ONE Gaming series of DDR2 memory modules. Thanks to DBT every module of the above series will go through a series of burn-in tests to detect if there are any early failures. The proces quarantees to improve the overall product quality of GeIL memories and minimize the chance of getting defect GeIL memory to minimum. The DBT process is conducted in GeIL's own designed burn-in chamber called DBT-1. Inside it, 1000 pieces of modules are slotted onto DRAM controller boards. The modules are then dynamically tested by own-designed testing software simultaneously. DBT-1 can elevate the testing temperature up to 100 °C and maintain a full 24 hours of burn-in testing. GeIL will be announcing the following product lines that are scheduled to adopt DPT in the near future.

GeIL has just unveiled its new Black Dragon Evo One DDR2 memory series, which is available in both dual- and quad-channel kits and ships with impressive heatsinks which use Maximised Thermal & Conduction Dissipation (MTCD) technology. The modules are built using eight-layered PCBs featuring FBGA DDR2 IC chips, and are available in a selection of twelve kits - 2GB, 4GB and 8GB, running at either 800MHz or 1066MHz with timings of 4-4-4-12 and 5-5-5-15 respectively. All of the Black Dragon Evo One kits come with a lifetime warranty.

Golden Emperor International (GeIL) has begun to stealthy showcase its upcoming RAM modules that feature a new cooling solution. Developed by Taiwan-based CompTake, the new heatspreader is made out of aluminum and copper, using top located heat pipe to transfer the heat. The new cooling system is set to be introduced together with GeIL's upcoming high-end DDR3 modules.

Geil introduce the all new DDR3 line of products now being added to the performance memory lineup. DDR3 is the next generation memory for personal computing, servers and other computing applications. It is now the highest performing memory with official data transfer rates of 1.3GHz double the speed of DDR2 architecture with much lower power consumption (1.5V DDR3 - 1.8V DDR2 ).

GeIL USA, Inc. announced the new "Esoteria Series". Esoteria, or Esoteric, means specialized or advanced in nature, available only to a narrow circle of people that are highly knowledgeable.

Esoteria Series Specifications

• Available in DDR2 PC2-6400 800MHz & DDR2 PC2-8500 1066MHz
• Capacity of 2GB Dual Channel (2x1GB)
• CAS 4-4-4-12
• Optimized SPD for overclocking
• Voltage 1.9V - 2.5V
• GeIL OC Certified FBGA 64MB X 8
• 240pin, Un-buffered DDR2 DIMM
• Optimized SPD for Overclocking
• Black or Silver true carbon-fiber with Heat-spreader
• Black or Silver aluminum base heat-spreaders
• GeIL Limited Lifetime Warranty