The latest version of CPUID's processor and motherboard information utility has been released. Version 1.39 of CPU-Z generally improves support and offers small enhancements, here are the changes:

• Windows Vista 64 support
• VIA CX700/VX700 chipset
• Added Merom XE (X7900/X7800)
• Added "PCI" and "MaxPCIBus" in the ini file to configure PCI scanning
• Added "-core" parameter to display the clock speed of the specified core

You can download it from here.

I can gladly say DNA-Drivers is back alive. This is supported by the release of DNA's ATi 5.0.7.1 Driver. This can be found here. I have information directly from the creator (KillerSneak) that NVIDIA drivers will be released in a matter of a few weeks. He also stated Vista drivers may take a bit longer due to the fact of Microsofts new "security" measures that requires all drivers to be signed. It will be interesting to see how it all plays out for Vista and modded drivers.

Although Microsoft isn't too keen to mention this, a well documented "Easter-Egg" for Vista is that you can actually extend the activation grace period up to three times. If you buy a one copy of Windows, when you go to install it you have the option not to enter an activation code and try out another version to see what it's like. By default, this will only last for 30 days without needing a code. However, DailyTech is reporting a supposedly legal Vista command that you can use to reset this 30 day countdown timer and get more use out of your install. All you have to do is simply launch a command prompt with administrator rights, type in slmgr -rearm and then you will be back up to 30 days. This won't give you unlimited time however - you can only do it three times at the most, so that's 120 days maximum. To test how long you have left, simply type slmgr -dli in a command prompt.

You may remember this news story on techPowerUp! a couple of days ago relating to the lack of clean installs when using the Upgrade Editions of Vista, which required an old OS to be installed. However, Paul Thurrott has managed to find a workaround for this issue, which ironically lets users do a clean install Vista without any previous version of Windows, albeit a little tedious. Here are the steps:

• Boot from the Windows Vista Upgrade DVD as normal
• When prompted for a product code, leave this blank
• Select the version of Vista you have purchased and let Vista install
• When you boot to your desktop for the first time, run the Vista setup from Windows
• This time enter your product key
• When asked whether you want to do an Upgrade of Custom install, select custom and choose a clean install
• Windows will now install for a second time and you should be able to activate it

Remember, these steps are only advised for use in order to achieve a clean install of Vista, it is only legal to use the upgrade editions if you have previously purchased the appropriate version of Windows.

NGOHQ has released the latest version of their NVIDIA optimized driver, based on NVIDIA ForceWare 97.92. This driver includes NVIDIA's old Control Panel and also has support for all GeForce/Quadro cards - including mobile series (Go) as well. This driver has a special compatibility mode option that provides better stability, and workaround for some known bugs.

Download: NGO NVIDIA Optimized Driver v1.9792

There was a big surprise at the 23rd Chaos Computer Conference. A masked hacker demonstrated an Xbox 360 running a Linux and Mac OS logo on the console, followed by the phrase "coming soon". He used a copy of the King Kong game and a PCB plugged into a notebook to place the logos of the two operating systems on the Xbox 360. While giving the demonstration, the hacker did not say a single word. You can watch the YouTube videos here and here.

Today my good friend Unwinder announced the final release of his RivaTuner v2.0 utility. Since its existance the tool has had over 5 million downloads, which just shows how much there is a need for good overclocking software.

Unfortunately with this version Unwinder steps down from Rivatuner development, at least for a few months. I am very sad to see this happening and will miss the countless discussions we had about how to interface with hardware to achieve things like monitoring, overclocking and fan control.

Head over to Guru3D to grab the final RivaTuner 2.0.

Daniel Pohl, an aspiring programmer in Germany, is doing some things that are simply stunning the gaming community. Daniel has taken the Quake 4 engine and effectively modified it with ray tracing effects.

Ray-tracing is a method of modeling and rendering the path of the light as it interacts with the models in a 3D scene. Overall, results in Daniel's projects show extremly good levels of shadows, enabling life-like immersion into the 3D scene.

Daniel is looking for a sponsor so he can become a game developer. If he helps design games, and ray tracing becomes mass implemented, we could see a new age of realism in games. You can see a sample of his work below, and his project website here.

The latest version of your favorite ATI (and now NVIDIA) overclocking tool has been released today! Take a look here to read about the changes and download it. Thank you to W1zzard for yet another version of this great free utility.

Many of you are undoubtedly interested in seeing the naked core of a GeForce 8800 - the g33ks at VR-Zone have removed the IHS of one of their dead 8800 cards, below are the pictures: