Zalman
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Zalman reportedly entering the graphics card market, merging GPUs with cooling solutions
Recently leaked slides suggest Korean computer outfit Zalman will soon jump into the ever-expanding graphics card market, initially partnering with AMD on its Radeon series. Known best for its quiet computing technologies, the company's move to infuse GPUs with cooling solutions could enhance the performance of the cards, making overclocking a lesson in simplicity. The slides only show the AMD 6870, 6850, and 6770, but it's feasible more models will appear when official news is released. Given AMD's many board partners, differentiation is important to remain competitive and on their payroll -- graphics cards and their overheating habits is Zalman's cup of tea. Hopefully this brings more innovative products in the coming future (heck, we've already got GPU / NIC hybrids), perhaps as early as CES. Check past the break to view the specifications breakdown for the aforementioned cards.
Zalman's SandForce-based N Series SSD drive gets reviewed, patted on the back
Zalman's making an SSD? You betcha, and it's embedding a SandForce SF-1222 controller in its N Series line. That controller has proven to be the go-to one for loads of solid state drives, but Zalman's joining the party a touch late. Unfortunately for it, the MSRPs affixed to the 64GB ($169) and 128GB ($289) versions aren't exactly class-leading, but the benchmarking gurus over at Legit Reviews took it upon themselves to test a 128GB model anyway. After running the gauntlet, the conclusions drawn were fairly predictable: scores were right in line with every other SandForce drive they had tested in recent months, with words like "speedy, resilient, and reliable" detailing the drive. Reviewers did point out that the pricing situation would likely hinder adoption rates, and it's still unclear if a company more closely associated with cooling accessories and cases can stake a claim in the storage realm. Hit the source link for the full skinny if you're edging closer to pulling the trigger.
Sapphire makes multi-monitor 3D gaming a reality with a single video card
Multi-monitor gaming is hardly uncommon these days, but 3D gaming on the PC is, well, decidedly less common. Perhaps it will be the merging of the two immersive approaches that finally gets 3D going on the PC, and Sapphire is showing that it's possible. A single ATI-based Sapphire graphics card with Eyefinity support powered these three Zalman Trimon 3D displays, which use simple (and cheap) polarized glasses to make those boomers in Left4Dead really pop. No word on the overall cost of the system, but we'd hazard a guess it wouldn't be significantly higher than a triple-monitor setup woefully stuck in just two dimensions.
Zalman's ZM-M2020W Trimon 3D monitor gets reviewed
Zalman may be far from being a household name, but a stranger to 3D displays it isn't. The company's latest 22-incher not only packs a 1,680 x 1,050 resolution panel and a bundled set of glasses, but it features the ability to render graphics in 3D. The eager critics over at Trusted Reviews had a nice sit with the device, and when all was said and done, the ZM-M2020W was seen more as a building block for revision two than a runaway winner as it was. On the upside, it did manage to render some pretty phenomenal scenes in 3D -- and even managed to change the reviewer's perception of the technology -- but the overly glossy screen and steep price tag kept it from being recommended without hesitation. Still, if you're willing to pay the premium to fit into the niche, by all means, give the full review a once over in the read link below.
Zalman demos 19- and 22-inch 3D displays at CeBIT
Zalman is a company traditionally known for its cooling devices which, like almost every other company out there, is looking to diversify into different markets: like the, uh, 3D gaming display market. The company showed off two 3D monitors over in Hannover for CeBIT; one being a 19-inch 5:4 1280 x 1024 iteration targeted at gamers, and the other a 22-inch widescreen 1680 x 1050 model with a more general appeal. Both of the displays require the user to wear glasses to combine the stereo images, although Zalman promises that the price of these monitors will undercut the competition as a consolation. If you get a little bored / pick up a migraine, you'll be happy to know that the monitors are capable of switching between 3D and 2D modes, although if you're crazy enough to buy a 3D display in the first place we can't see you wanting to turn off your only justification for paying extra over a regular LCD. Unfortunately there's no word on specific pricetags, nor release dates, so if you're itching to make a silly investment in a display that simulates 3D, you'll have to hold onto your wallet.
Zalman's HD 160XT HTPC enclosure with 7-inch LCD
If you were into that Okoro OMS-LX100 HTPC we brought you the other day, but don't want to spend thousands of dollars on a machine just to get a snazzy embedded touchscreen, Zalman's got a new enclosure that will let you build your own system for considerably less dough. Sure to be the envy of all your home theater-fanatic buddies, the HD 160XT sports a 7-inch touchscreen for menu control, media information, and even video previewing, along with four open HDD bays, two optical drive slots, a pair of supposedly silent exhaust fans, and of course, the obligatory remote. Available in black or silver, we sure wouldn't mind building a system around this case and displaying it proudly in our gear rack, but unfortunately we have no idea when or where these will be available.
