EVGA published the 11th version of its SLI Enhancement Patch. Version 11 (05.15.09) is based on NVIDIA GeForce drivers 185.85, and enables SLI support for Zeno Clash and Merchants of Brooklyn, beyond the new additions NVIDIA's general release brings along: Guitar Hero: World Tour, Earthrise, Digital Combat Simulator: Black Shark, Shadow Harvest, and Terminator: Salvation.

The software works in conjunction with NVIDIA GeForce drivers, and helps expand the list of games that support NVIDIA SLI technology beyond what the drivers offer. For a 3D application to take full-advantage of SLI technology, typically NVIDIA creates an SLI profile that is released along with a usually new driver release. Registered EVGA users can download the patch from here.

Having tried its hand in several PCB designs for the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 200 series, Zotac created itself enough room to come up with new SKUs at will. The company is using a recently-designed 10-layer PCB it used for a high-end GeForce GTX 285 accelerator featuring Arctic Cooling Accelero Extreme cooler, to design a new GeForce GTX 260 model (GTX260-896D3) with essentially the same design, except for a change: While the GTX 285 card featured 0.77 ns GDDR3 memory chips made by Hynix, this one uses 1.0 ns chips by Samsung.

The card retains the 6+3 phase power circuitry, the Accelero Extreme cooler, and standard features for the GeForce GTX 260: 216 shader processors, 896 MB of GDDR3 memory across a 448-bit interface, support for 3-way SLI, CUDA and PhysX. It will use reference NVIDIA clock speeds of 574/999 MHz (core/memory). Backed by a 3-year warranty, this card will hit stores in China at a price of 1299 RMB (US $190).

Remember EPoX? A reminiscent of that company now operates under the name SUPoX, and seems to have an entire range of PC motherboards including the Core i7 compatible AP58+ GTR. The company is gearing up to cater to the LGA-1156 socket processors with a new feature-rich motherboard based on the Intel P55 chipset called AP55+ GTR. The socket supports Core i5 series processors, along with support for Intel Flexible Display Interface (FDI), that relays display handled by embedded graphics controllers on Intel processors to their DVI, D-Sub, and HDMI outputs. The PCI-Express x16 slots (electrical configuration not known) support ATI CrossFireX, although NVIDIA SLI support for most LGA-1156 motherboards largely remains unknown. Along with support for as much as 16 GB of DDR3 memory, the motherboard provides connectivity in the form of gigabit Ethernet, Bluetooth 2.1, and WiFi. The motherboard should release towards the end of Q3 2009.

EVGA released the 10th version of its SLI Enhancement Patch since its initial release in mid-February. The patch expands upon the SLI profiles NVIDIA's official drivers come with. An SLI profile is an application-specific optimization to take advantage of two or more NVIDIA GPUs in an SLI setup. With this release (version 10, 04.24.09), EVGA adds SLI support for the games Zeno Clash and Merchants of Brooklyn. The patch is based on NVIDIA GeForce 185.68 driver, and is available for 32/64-bit versions of Windows XP and Vista. Registered EVGA users can download the software from here.

Thermaltake Technology is pleased to announce its high performance line of power supply, Toughpower series, has been added an 80PLUS Silver power supply - Toughpower 700W (W0295). With Thermaltake's commitment to offer users quality products, the 800W / 1200W (all 80PLUS Silver ready) will also be ready in Q2.

80 PLUS is a cutting-edge, electric utility-funded program whose mission is to integrate energy-efficient power supplies into desktop computers and servers. The 80PLUS Silver standard certifies PSU that has 85%, 88%, and 85% or higher energy efficiency rate at 20%, 50%, and 100% of loading, respectively. This requirement makes an 80 PLUS Silver certified power supply considerably more efficient than any other traditional 80 PLUS power supplies.

GIGABYTE Technology CO., LTD., a leading manufacturer of motherboards and graphics cards, is pleased to announce their entire range of Intel X58 chipset motherboards now officially support NVIDIA SLI technology, allowing users to take full advantage of blazing-fast NVIDIA multi-GPU performance.

With a simple BIOS upgrade from the GIGABYTE website, users can enable NVIDIA SLI support on their current motherboards for ultra smooth 3D rendering, blazing-fast frame rates and enhanced visual quality possible with a multiple graphics card solution. Whether playing current and future graphics-intensive games at max settings, or enabling multi-monitor support for enhanced productivity, GIGABYTE gives users the flexibility to design their system according to their specific needs.

NVIDIA today released its GeForce 182.50 driver suite for Windows XP and Windows Vista. This release comes at a time when the company released the GeForce GTX 275 accelerator, making it obvious the driver extends support to it. While the driver doesn't aim bring in application-specific enhancements, it does fix numerous bugs, which invariably may improve product quality. It brings in single-GPU and SLI optimizations for seveal upcoming game titles. For a complete list of changes, refer to the Release Notes documents for Windows XP and Windows Vista.

DOWNLOAD:GeForce 182.50 WHQL for Windows XP 32-bit | Windows XP 64-bit | Windows Vista 32-bit | Windows Vista 64-bit

EVGA released another version of its SLI Enhancement Patch, version 8 (03.30.09), its third one for this month alone. The patch works in conjunction with the installed NVIDIA GeForce driver, in providing SLI support to games through SLI profiles. The support is game-specific, and each release of the patch expands the support-base. The new version is based on NVIDIA driver 182.46. The following games are added to the support list, apart from all the games already supported by the patch:

• Battlefield Heroes
• Stormrise
• Weapons of Fate
• Jumpgate Evolution
• Age of Booty
• Football Manager '05-'09

Registered EVGA users can download the patch from here.

EVGA introduced a new version of its Precision graphics cards overclocking and monitoring software. Version 1.6.0 brings in a host of changes as listed by EVGA:

• Now Precision monitoring window can be detached from the main form allowing the user to define custom monitoring window position and size. Double click attached monitoring window to detach it from the main form, double click it one more time or simply close it to attach it back
• Now Precision provides multi-GPU control for the systems with up to 8 NVIDIA GPUs to ensure compatibility with future SLI systems and provide support for modern 5-GPU Quad-SLI + PhysX systems
• Optimized multi-GPU profiles loader drastically reduces profiles load time when GPU synchronization mode is enabled
• Now Precision always sorts GPUs by PCI location to ensure that GPU indices stay the same in the system regardless of operating system, display driver version and GPU display outputs connection
• EVGA On-Screen Display Server has been updated to version 3.2.0. Similar to the previous version of Precision, new server also features new skin format v1.1 adding bitmap effects support to the skin compiler
• Added new black skin edition

Registered EVGA users can download the application from here.

EVGA piped out yet another version of its SLI Enhancement patch, that adds SLI profiles to the driver installation, profiles which let games take advantage of multiple NVIDIA GPUs in SLI. Version 03.18.09 (dated yesterday) is based on NVIDIA 182.08 drivers, and enhances the following games with SLI support:

• Merchants of Brooklyn
• The Hunter
• Watchmen
• MLB 2K9
• Tom Clancy's H.A.W.X.
• The Last Remnant Demo and Benchmark

Exclusively available for registered EVGA users, the patch can be downloaded from here.

Very shortly after its third update, EVGA's SLI Enhancement utility has been updated to version 03.03.09. Once again, this unofficial patch enables temporary SLI support in the latest games. Now the EVGA SLI Enhancement supports Windows XP and adds a few new games (see below). To download the tool you need to make a quick registration here.

ATI's CrossFire multi-GPU technology started off on the Intel platform with ATI's own brand of chipset before AMD acquired the company. AMD/ATI then allowed CrossFire and the succeeding CrossFireX standards to be supported by Intel chipsets. The only current chipset platform that doesn't support CrossFire is the NVIDIA nForce series, which as ASRock demonstrated during the ongoing CeBIT event, breaks the dogma.

ASRock devised a BIOS for its nForce 740i based N7AD-SLI motherboard that enables support for CrossFire. AMD's Catalyst drivers were able to detect the motherboard as a qualified platform and enable CrossFire between two installed ATI Radeon accelerators. The setup was able to show performance increments during a 3DMark06 session. ASRock is reportedly working out similar BIOS firmware for several other motherboards made by it, and wants to enable CrossFire, CrossFireX for all its nForce motherboards.

EVGA recently released a third version of their SLI Enhancement patch, based on the NVIDIA GeForce 182.06 driver. This unofficial patch enables temporary SLI support in the latest games. The EVGA SLI Enhancement patch version 02.26.09:

• Enables SLI support for The Last Remnant Demo and Benchmark
• Enables SLI support for Grand Ages: Rome Demo
• Enables SLI support for Codename: Panzers Cold War Demo
• Enables SLI support for Men Of War Beta
• Improved SLI support for Burnout Paradise
• Enables SLI support for NecroVision Demo (DX10 Mode)

You need to make a registration on EVGA's web site here to access the download links. The patch works on Windows Vista only, both 32-bit and 64-bit.

Just under a week ago we covered the release of a driver add-on from EVGA which adds SLI profiles to the 182.05 driver from NVIDIA, for some of the latest released demos and games. It seems that EVGA have now released a second version of their SLI Enhancement patch, this could end up being a regular occurance, as games and demos are frequently arriving on the market, faster than NVIDIA can release fully fledged drivers. Unfortunately, they are not available to all NVIDIA SLI users, as you must be a registered member with EVGA to access the download links. The patches are available for both 32-bit and 64-bit versions Windows Vista, changes in this version are as follows:

• Enables SLI support for Grand Ages: Rome Demo
• Enables SLI support for Codename: Panzers Cold War Demo
• Enables SLI support for Men Of War Beta
• Improved SLI support for Burnout Paradise
• Enables SLI support for NecroVision Demo (DX10 Mode)

You can find more information along with the download links here.

Shuttle Inc. - the leading designer and manufacturer of small form factor (SFF) computers and accessories rolls out a new Prima flagship model - SX58H7. The Shuttle SX58H7 packs amazing performance into a mini glossy aluminum enclosure to reach "work hard & play hard" goals of extreme gamers, demand enthusiasts and mainstream PC users.

Shuttle SX58H7 features the Intel latest X58 Chipset, supporting the newest Intel Core i7 processors. The 3+1 channel DDR3 architecture triples the bandwidth of the system memory to boost performance. Capable of running both ATI CrossFire and NVIDIA SLI on the board, it's easy to enjoy best experience in gaming performance and image quality. Presenting higher efficiency levels, the SX58H7 is guaranteed by 80PLUS BRONZE certification with 500W high efficiency & energy saving power supply.

EVGA today announced a new piece of value-added feature for its customers: the EVGA SLI Enhancement. The feature forms as a part of NVIDIA Forceware drivers that has an expanded SLI profiles list. To make full use of two or more GPUs teamed in an SLI setup, games and 3D applications need "SLI profiles". The general Forceware driver isn't necessarily in tune with the frequency at which new games are released. EVGA has taken the initiative to release SLI profiles for games before NVIDIA does.

The company released the first release of the SLI Enhancement (version: 02.11.09), which is based on NVIDIA Forceware 182.05 driver suite, and supports the entire range of graphics products EVGA currently sells. When installed, the software intends to boost performance in SLI setups for Burnout Paradise and Necrovision Demo (DX10 Mode), apart from all the applications Forceware 182.05 already has profiles for. The software is exclusive for registered EVGA customers. Visit this page for more.

NVIDIA Corporation today announced that Intel Corporation has licensed NVIDIA SLI technology for inclusion on the Intel DX58SO motherboard for the Intel Core i7 processor. As a result, customers with Intel X58-based motherboards and the Core i7 processor can now equip their PCs with any combination of NVIDIA GeForce GPUs, including Quad SLI, for the ultimate visual computing experience.

"The addition of NVIDIA SLI technology to the Intel DX58SO motherboard has been a welcome addition," said Clem Russo, VP and General Manager of Channel Desktop Platform Group at Intel Corporation. "The pairing of our new Core i7 processors on our Extreme Series motherboard and NVIDIA GeForce graphics has resulted in some of the world's fastest consumer gaming PC platforms. For playing any of today's hottest PC titles, this is one awesome combination that our customers have been asking for."

The premium motherboard market's newfound love for the micro-ATX form-factor has been dutifully addressed by companies such as DFI, by releasing the LANParty Jr series, featuring high-end chipsets and almost complete feature-sets that rival full-sized ATX motherboards. ASUS has now decided to put its Republic of Gamers (ROG) series on the prowl with its first high-end mATX motherboard: Rampage II Gene.

As the name suggests, the motherboard supports Intel Core i7 series processors, and is based on the Intel X58 chipset. ASUS keeps the segment of buyers in mind that builds light-weight, yet full-featured LAN party machines. The Rampage II Gene features an 8-phase CPU power circuit. It features six DDR3 DIMM slots for to support up to 24GB of triple-channel DDR3 memory. It holds two full-length PCI-Express 2.0 x16 slots plus a PCI-Express x4 open-ended slot. Both ATI CrossFireX and NVIDIA Quad-SLI are supported. The ICH10R southbridge provides six SATA II channels with RAID support. Also provided is an onboard SupremeFX X-Fi sound system that provides support for most of Creative's X-Fi sound technologies. Two gigabit Ethernet interfaces and support for the iROG - TweakIT features, that simplify overclocking, make for the rest of the package. The Rampage II Gene is expected to be priced above $200 in the US.

Following the release of the X58 SuperComputer high-end motherboard, ASRock made an addition to its socket LGA-1366 motherboard lineup with the X58 Deluxe. The new SKU is simply a trimmed-down package of the X58 SuperComputer, with a few features and accessories removed. The motherboard continues to be a high-end offering from ASRock that supports leading multi-GPU standards in their highest-possible configurations: ATI CrossFireX and NVIDIA 3-Way SLI and Quad-SLI. It retains the PCB and component-layout of the X58 SuperComputer for the most part.

The changes kick-in where, the X58 Deluxe makes do with only a single gigabit Ethernet interface, as opposed to two on the X58 SuperComputer. It does away with an SLI interconnect bridge that spans across two expansion slots (2S). The SuperComputer package originally bundled three SLI bridges in all: 2-way 2S, 2-way 3S and, 3-way. The 2S bridge connected two NVIDIA graphics cards on neighbouring PCI-Express x16 slots. With the red-coloured slots wired-up for a maximum of 8 PCI-E lanes only, the 2S bridge become redundant and not recommended for common two-card SLI setups. The rest of the offering remains the same, with support for up to 24GB of DDR3 memory, four PCI-Express x16 slots, 8-channel HD Audio and gigabit Ethernet. The new model is expected to be priced a little lesser than the X58 SuperComputer. It is yet to be officially announced by the company, though already listed on its website.

Expanding your water block options is Koolance, out with water blocks for NVIDIA's GeForce GTX 295 and GeForce GTX 285 graphics accelerators. The blocks by Koolance use nickel-plated copper, acrylic, the block for GTX 295 comes with built-in lighting for better aesthetics. Both blocks are monolithic, full-coverage by design.

The GTX 295 block (model: VID-NX295) measures 20cm x 12cm x 3cm and weighs around 1 kg (2.25 lbs). As with other blocks in its class, the block remains sandwiched between the business-ends of the two PCBs holding a GPU system each. The block for the GTX 285 (model: VID-NX285) measures 15.9cm x 14.6cm x 1.6cm and weighs 680g (around 1.5 lbs). Both blocks come with standard fittings, with fittings for SLI systems being optional and compatible. The Koolance VID-NX295 has started selling for US $159.99 a piece, with the VID-NX285 being priced at $99.99 at the Koolance store.

EK WaterBlocks, a well-known name with computer enthusiasts is ready with its offering for the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 295 dual-GPU graphics accelerator. As with any water-block made for the GeForce 9800 GX2 and GeForce GTX 295, this block consists of two cooling surfaces for each of the two PCBs.

EK WaterBlocks' latest unit (model: EK-FC295 GTX SLI) is a monolithic full-coverage block made of copper and acrylic glass. Each of the cooling surfaces has contact points for the various components of the accelerator. The block is available with a whole range of options with its fittings. It is SLI-capable, meaning that its fittings allow its fluid to be relayed to the next accelerator. The block weighs 1.35 kg (around 3 lbs). It will be available from EK WaterBlocks' store starting tomorrow, priced at 125€ (around US $172.60).

Water cooling specialist Danger Den is ready with its full-coverage water cooling block for the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 295 graphics accelerator. Consisting of two PCBs holding a GPU system each, the GeForce GTX 295 is a complex piece of machinery, with regards to installing third-party cooling.

The Danger Den block (model: GPU-6850) is monolithic and is installed in a way that makes it sandwiched between the two PCBs. Contact-points on either sides of the block convey heat from the GPUs, memory chips, VRM, NVIO2 processors and the BR-03 chip. The block is available from Danger Den with a variety of options with regard to the fittings. SLI fittings that relay fluid between accelerators in an SLI system are optional. The block weighs 4 lbs (1.81 kg). It is priced at US $189.95.

MAINGEAR Computers, award-winning builders of high performance custom computers, is proud to announce the availability of the next generation of luxury gaming PCs. The F131 and ePhex, now featuring the Intel Core i7 processor family.

"We're proud to be an Intel launch partner," says Wallace Santos, CEO and founder of MAINGEAR Computers, "this revolutionary new chip is going to change the way people look at multitasking. It really puts your processing power where you need it most. Our F131 and ePhex lines will benefit from the ability to take on highly-threaded games with HyperThreading support across 8 cores. Also, it's anyone's game with either CrossFireX or SLI support on the same platform."

DFI is ready with its high-end motherboard based on the Intel X58 chipset, providing support for the Intel Core i7 processors. It features three PCI-E x16 slots, that arrange themselves into x16, x8, x8, to support ATI CrossfireX and NVIDIA SLI technologies. The board is studded with high-grade components that include a digital PWM CPU power circuit. The board provides vDroop control. It features an intricate cooling design, with blocks of aliminum fin arrays over the northbridge, and the VRM areas. The VRM cooler projects out of the case, and over the case-fan, if arranged. DFI is expected to announce this product soon.

Smoothcreations (www.Smoothcreations.com), a leading manufacturer of Custom PC gaming systems, desktop workstations, and Laptops, introduced today, in collaboration with Intel , are proud to announce the Smoothcreations "Prophet i7" series.

Stop showing up to Lan parties with gaming rigs that look like some else's pc. Turn heads, and then shred them with the Prophet i7 series. The first portable performance PC from Smooth Creations.

Configurable options available in price point category platform solutions. The Ultimate LAN party system: The Smooth Creations Prophet i7 series was designed to intimidate, perform and back up every piece of trash talk you fling at your gaming buddies. These custom painted gaming beasts deliver the graphics-shredding processing power you need to conquer your next LAN event.

"The Prophet i7 Portable design makes it easy to go to those LAN parties without having to lug heavy pc equipment around", Mario Gastelum, Product Marketing. The "Prophet i7" models are stacked with Intel Core i7 CPU's and a tasty choice of Diamond Radeon HD4870's or 2x 4870X2 H20 Special Edition graphics cards in Crossfire configurations. Or you can choose some ass kicking BFG Geforce 280 GTX's or 260 GTX's in SLI or TRI SLI configurations. Be rest assured that not only will you have a screaming looking case - but a serious war gaming machine that will get you the highest frame rates playing Crysis or Far Cry 2. Any i7 Platform that is built with a pair of BFG's Geforce 260 or 280 GTX will get a FREE custom painted BFG logo & themed fender guitar and a free copy of Far Cry2.(Ed. note: The green/gray Hellcat system image has been added, so you get an idea about the look of the casing from Smoothcreations)