Intel 520 Series SSD 240GB Review

We look at the latest high end consumer SSD to hit the market - the Intel 520 Series.

Intel 520 Series SSD 240GB Review Intel 520 Series SSD 240GB Review

Fractal Design Define R3 Case Review

We review the Define R3 mid-tower ATX case by Fractal Design. If you are looking for a gorgeous case that doesn't sacrifice features, you might want to read this review!

Fractal Design Define R3 Case Review Fractal Design Define R3 Case Review

Gigabyte Z68XP-UD4 Motherboard Review

The Gigabyte Z68XP-UD4 has one major goal - to bring your Sandy Bridge CPU as far as it can possibly go. Does it succeed?

Gigabyte Z68XP-UD4 Motherboard Review Gigabyte Z68XP-UD4 Motherboard Review

Intel Core i7 3960X Extreme Review – Sandy Bridge E is Here

Intel has unveiled the new Fastest Desktop CPU ever. Is it worth looking at for $1000?

Intel Core i7 3960X Extreme Review – Sandy Bridge E is Here Intel Core i7 3960X Extreme Review – Sandy Bridge E is Here
PC Hardware | Storage

Intel 520 Series SSD 240GB Review

Thursday Feb 9, 2012 | Leave a comment

Since first entering the SSD market with the X25-M in 2008, Intel has released a few subsequent models. However they have continued to use the same controller for their lower-range models while using controllers from third party Marvell for their higher end 6 Gbps SATA solution . Today we are reviewing Intel’s replacement to the Marvell-powered 510 series, which is based on a somewhat surprising chip when you consider internet reputation.

Believe it or not, the new high end consumer SSD from Intel makes use of the SandForce SF-2281 controller. Yes, the same one that has had issues with stability over most of its lifespan.

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PC Hardware

OCZ Branded NAND Appearing in SSD Products

Tuesday Feb 7, 2012 | Leave a comment

In preparation for an upcoming SSD review, I was taking photos of OCZ’s Vertex 3 240 GB drive. Upon voiding the warranty and cracking it open, I came across an interesting sight:

That’s 240 GB of OCZ branded NAND flash. The code is M2502128T048SX22 which is completely different from the usual code format used on their normal NAND chips supplied by Micron or Intel.

I am getting in touch with OCZ for some more info, and I’ll update this post as it comes in. So follow us however you like, and we’ll keep you updated. Also watch for our full review of the drive, as well as Intel’s 520 Series SSD which just arrived, this week at HCW!

Update: Just as expected, it is indeed the same Micron flash they have been using before. So that means 2 die per package, and still synchronous. I am finished with performance testing, and it appears to perform as expected from Micron flash. No word on binning or anything like that.

There’s your update! It looks like OCZ is to the point where they are getting their own branded flash modules made by Micron, much like what Intel is doing. My only wish is that they had used the same model numbering as before, as we finally have that figured out.

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HCW

HCW is on the move again!

Sunday Jan 29, 2012 | Leave a comment

It was a little over two years ago when we first “took to the skies” and moved to our first cloud-based host, Rackspace. It seemed like a good idea at the time – a low price of entry, while being very scalable (way more scalable than non-dedicated servers at the time).

Times have changed since then, and amazingly, it didn’t get better for cloud based hosting, but rather VPS hosting has vastly improved. We have used VPS hosts in the past (it has gone by many names over the years).

The combination of improved VPS pricing and hardware, and Rackspace’s declining performance (our site was really slow sometimes, and often could not be accessable for minutes at a time), I decided to move once again. This time, I have chosen WiredTree for their “Hybrid VPS” service. It offers a combination of nice hardware (dedicated CPU with bursting, dedicated 3GB of ram) and excellent service that came highly recommended. If I have anything to say about them, it will probably be on twitter. So far it has been good though! If you are reading this, you are accessing the new server already.

If you see any problems, let me know!

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PC Cases | PC Hardware

Fractal Design Define R3 Case Review

Wednesday Jan 25, 2012 | 1 comment

When choosing a case to build a PC in, there are quite a few things to consider. First and foremost is the design, for most people. Do you choose a case that is highlighted by fan shrouds, lights, moving parts, and bells and whistles? Or do you want one with a more subtle aesthetic. One that whispers “there’s a crazy PC inside” rather than screams at the top of its lungs.

If you are among the later, the Define R3 by Swedish case maker Fractal Design might be worthy of consideration.

The Define R3 is a mid-tower chassis, and as you can see is built with a classy, subtle design. To keep costs down however, it is still constructed of steel and plastic. The lack of aluminum means that you can buy this online for about $100-120, depending on colour choice.

Despite the low cost and not-the-most-expensive materials on the outside, it is solidly built, and there are quite a bit of sought-after features with this case, which we’ll see as we explore it in our in-depth review.
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HCW

Protect the Internet

Wednesday Jan 18, 2012 | Leave a comment

As you can see, we are participating in the protest against the SOPA and PIPA bills. If you want to know why, just watch these quick 4 minute videos. They should make things pretty clear:

YouTube Preview Image

WHAT YOU CAN DO

If you are an American citizen, you owe it to yourself and your country to protect your rights and freedom. That is kind of what your country is all about, or at least used to be. If you click any CENSORED part of this site, or the CENSORED button at the top right, you can look up the phone number of your local senator to make yourself hear. TAKE THE TIME TO DO THIS.

Alternatively, you could fill out this form which will send a message to congress in your name.

If you are outside the US, there is a petition to the state department, the group that constantly talks about censorship in other countries. MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD.

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These are the 5 Latest HCW Blog Posts

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  • Sherlock: Hi I have manged to do everything that was told to be done by this article, and I did get the controller to...
  • bearmon2010: Hi! I am in Windows 7 x64 and I followed your instruction and all was set and it works perfectly for the...

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