News archive


March-April 2003

[30.04.2003]Motherboard Monitor 5.3.2.0 has been released! New features include: support for AMD 8111, ServerWorks CSB5, ServerWorks CSB6, Winbond W83627THF-A, Winbond W83791D, bugfixes, etc.

[29.04.2003]Futuremark Corporation has released 3DMark03 3.2.0 and a patch for the original version of 3DMark03! The patch provides support for Microsoft DirectX 9.0a and incorporates enhanced features based on user feedback. Benchmark scores between the patched version and the original version will not change.
CD/DVD Capabilities Viewer 1.0.004 has been released!

[28.04.2003]CDCheck 3.1.0.3b has been released! It has a few bugfixes.

Dacris Software has released the first Alpha of XMark 7.0 "Carleton"!
[27.04.2003]ClearInfo 0.50 Pre-Beta 2 is available for download!

IDEdrive 2 has been released! New features include: extended information, redesigned interface, etc.

[26.04.2003]The release HARDiNFO 2003 Professional 4.0 is expected in May-June 2003. The new version will include lots of new features and fixes. However, the standard edition of HARDiNFO will no longer be available.

[25.04.2003]RealStorm has released a new realtime raytracing demo called 'Still Sucking Nature'. It's not a benchmark, but worth a look.
Futuremark Corporation has announced strategic alliances with key partners including Gateway, Transmeta Corporation, ExtremeTech - a Ziff-Davis publication - and Beyond3D, a professional industry publication. These companies have all joined Futuremark's Beta Program to cooperate with new PC and processor benchmark development.
The Beta Program has expanded to include 18 leading manufacturers, computer integrators and media companies: AMD, ATI, Intel, Microsoft, Creative Technologies, Matrox, S3Graphics, SiS, Ali, Beyond3D, Dell, CNET, ExtremeTech, Gateway, Imagination Technologies/PowerVR, InnoVISION Multimedia, Transmeta, and Trident Microsystems.
Read the press release.

CDCheck 3.1.0.2b has been released!

[24.04.2003]CPUInfo 2.00 Beta 3a is available for download!

QuickBench 8.3 has been released! It has a number of improvements and bugfixes.

[23.04.2003]PANTERASoft has released HDD Health 2.0 Build 110 Beta (formerly known as Active SMART Monitor)!

NEW: SMART Defender is an easy to use Windows program that monitors SMART-capable IDE and SCSI hard disk drives!

[22.04.2003]ASTRA 4.12 has been released! New in this version: detection of Intel Pentium M, Intel Pentium 4 (Prescott), SiS 55x processors, reading of SPD information on nVidia nForce, nForce2 chipsets, Intel ICH5 hub, AMD 755, 756, 766, 768 south bridges and Intel 440MX chipset, detection of a few new Intel processors features, bugfixes, etc.

Drive Health 2.0.30 is available for download! It fixes a few bugs and adds support for the latest HDD models.

CPU-Z 1.17 has been released! Here's what's new: cache latency calculation tool, support for Intel Pentium M and VIA C3 Nehemiah processors, Intel i852, i855, i875P (Canterwood) chipsets, number of current channels use by memory interface (for concerned chipsets only), bugfixes.

[21.04.2003]CPUCooL 7.2.2 has been released! It has a few bugfixes.

NEW: Central Brain Identifier is an AMD processor identification utility!

[20.04.2003]It's time for a new poll! Here are the results of our last poll:
Your next videocard will be...
  1. GeForce 4 - 23.8%
  2. Radeon 9800 (R350) - 20.3%
  3. Radeon 9700/Pro - 18.2%
  4. GeForce FX - 16.3%
  5. Radeon 9500/Pro - 13.8%
  6. Other - 7.3%
You can always find these results at their permanent address.
This time, please, tell us: How old are you?

[19.04.2003]CPUCooL 7.2.2 Beta has been released! It is available for download from the official page.

CDCheck 3.1.0.1b has been released! New features include: two new features in the Checking Setup, support for some antivirus software, command line support for checking, minor improvements and bugfixes.

[18.04.2003]CPU Identification 1.31 has been released!

The release SynthMARK XP Edition is expected in the near future. Now you can join the beta testing programme. Visit www.rubymicro.co.za for more information...

Intel has released the Chipset Identification Utility 2.82, which allows to identify the specific Intel chipset that is located on your motherboard.
[17.04.2003]ASTRA 4.12 Beta has been released! New in this version: detection of Intel Pentium M, Intel Pentium 4 (Prescott), SiS 55x processors, reading of SPD information on nVidia nForce, nForce2 chipsets, Intel ICH5 hub, AMD 755, 756, 766, 768 south bridges and Intel 440MX chipset, detection of a few new Intel processors features, bugfixes, etc.
Alchemy Eye 4.8 has been released! Here's what's new: BDE and LDAP servers monitoring.

MetaBench 0.93 is available for download! New features include: all tests are optimized according to users feedback, multi-threaded tests are tuned for Hyper-Threaded & SMP systems, bugfixes.

[16.04.2003]Battery Eater 2003 v.0.99 has been released! It has a lot of minor improvements and bugfixes.

[15.04.2003]New review: Douglas Hall takes a close look at LIUtilities' Winbackup tool!

TestMem4 Build 150 is available for download! It's first test is now optimized for DDR.

[14.04.2003]SPECviewperf 7.1 has been released! This version introduces new data changes to discourage optimizations that benefit the benchmark, but might not improve real-world application performance. Also new to the benchmark is a second frame counter that moves around within the frame. This provides visual verification of whether frame changes are being rendered. Full Press Release.

Winpulse 1.9.12 has been released! It has a lot of improvements. The main target of this Winpulse evolution is an advanced logging and alert notification capabilities for Server monitoring. Learn more...

A pre-release version of Resource Patrol 5.0 is available for download!

NikNak 2003 1.0.0 has been released! New in this release: improved the realtime data rate graphic display, bugfixes. Now anyone who previously tried out NikNak can try the latest version with a new trial period.

Battery Eater 2003 v.0.98 has been released! This version includes: universal charge indicator, extended battery information, support for 2 batteries, some other improvements and bugfixes.

Monitor Asset Manager has been updated to version 1.05!

[13.04.2003]I received a number of mails in reply to my request (on April 1). Here's the list of the most interesting links: Thanks to Matso and Sergey Yakushko!

Active SMART - SCSI edition is available for download!

[12.04.2003]Bench'emAll! 2.2 has been released! Now it supports 3DMark03.

NEW: AppliTimer will measure any Windows application's load time!

[11.04.2003]CPUInfo 2.00 Beta 3 has been released! New in this version: complete internal rearrangement of the data inquiry, revised report feature, support for modern operating systems and CPUs, bugfixes, etc.

[10.04.2003]CDCheck 3.1.0.0b has been released! This version has a lot of minor improvements and bugfixes. Visit the program's homepage for more details.

PassMark MonitorTest 2.1 has been released! It has several bugfixes.

PassMark KeyboardTest 2.2 is available for download!

[09.04.2003]CD/DVD Diagnostic 2.0.2 has been updated with build 137! This has some minor fixes in it for some devices and includes German localization.

[08.04.2003]IPMonitor 4.7 (Build 408) is available for download! It includes improved user interface and "Tip of the Day" functionality.

NetInfo 4.7 (Build 408) has been released! It includes "Tip of the Day" functionality and ability to get the MAC address of the Ethernet card using SNMP method.

SiSoftware has announced that future versions of Sandra, starting with the forthcoming 2003/SP2 will no longer support Windows NT4. The company recommends that users still using NT4 continue to use the 2003/SP1 version or earlier versions.

[07.04.2003]TaskInfo 2003 5.0.0.88 has been released! It has a few improvements and bugfixes.

NEW: DISCInfo is a program to display hardware informations from an IDE/SCSI device!

Resource Patrol 4.99 is available for download! It has a number of bugfixes.

[06.04.2003]Filemon 6.02 is available for download! It has some minor improvements.

Test In One Minute has been updated to version 1.55!

[05.04.2003]ClearInfo 0.50 Beta 1 has been released! This version has a number of improvements and bugfixes.

Intel Processor Frequency ID Utility 5.5 has been released!

[04.04.2003]System Analyser 5.2v has been released! New in this version: recognition of Pentium 4 (Prescott), Pentium-M (Banias), Prescott New Instructions support recognition, SATA recognition improved, support for Promise controllers (FastTrak TX4000, FastTrak TX2000), support for PC3700/DDR446, SMBus support for Intel ICH4 and Via VT8235, etc.

FreshDiagnose 5.70 has been released! What's new: Cache Memory module, some other enhancements.

[03.04.2003]HMonitor 4.1.2.5 has been released! This version includes support for HP Pavillion 774e and Asustek P4G8X (Intel Granite Bay based board), bugfixes.

[02.04.2003]CPUCooL 7.2.1 has been released! New in this version: PLL's added, bugfixes.

NEW: Western Digital DLG for Windows is a Windows version of the Data Lifeguard Diagnostics utility!

[01.04.2003]April Fool Day: I've gathered a number of links that hopefully will make you laugh or at least smile. Enjoy! :-)) If you know of any other funny links, please let me know!

Nero CD Speed has been updated to version 1.02e!

SIGuardian 1.6 Release Candidate 1 (build 242) has been released! It contains a few improvements.

[31.03.2003]Intel has released the Chipset Identification Utility 2.81, which allows to identify the specific Intel chipset that is located on your motherboard.
[30.03.2003]CPUCooL 7.2.1 Beta has been released! It is available for download from the official page.

Fast Floating Fractal Fun 3.20 has been released! New in this version: GPU OpenGL ARB Fragment Program calculation, mouse center zoom feature, bugfixes.

[29.03.2003]NEW: PassMark DiskCheckup allows the user to monitor the S.M.A.R.T. attributes of a particular hard disk drive!

[28.03.2003]AIDA 2.02 and AIDA32 3.40 are now available for download! Both programs include: support for the latest hardware, extended low-level information (details).
In addition, AIDA32 includes the following new features: Swedish language module, extended pages, extended audit, OpenGL information, DirectX 9 support, Intel Itanium family support, more e-mail options, more manufacturer information.

[27.03.2003]System Speed Test 4.77 has been released! Here's what's new: support for new PCI/AGP devices, support for new CPUs, support for nForce2 SMBus.

[26.03.2003]HMonitor 4.1.2.4 has been released! New in this version: support for Leadtek K7NCR18D/G, ADM1030, Intel 82801EB (ICH5) southbridge, several improvements and bugfixes.

HDD Temperature 1.1 Beta (Build 115) is available for download! This build includes: redesigned interface, hibernate temperature (maximum (warning) temperature and hibernate (overheat) temperature can be setup separately), some minor improvements and bugfixes.

SiSoftware has officially released Sandra 64-bit for IA64 (Itanium & Itanium 2) workstations and servers on Windows 64 XP/2003! This enables true comparisons between 32 and 64-bit systems. What is more, Sandra 64-bit also includes Sandra Data Repository, a server-based database that allows the consolidation and comparison of results. Owing to its size Sandra 64 is shipped on CD.
To learn more, please visit www.sisoftware.net.

[25.03.2003]The release of Aquamark 3 - The Reality Benchmark is nearing! Massive Development has created a new website dedicated to the forthcoming benchmark and released a teaser showing some scenes. According to the site, the release of Aquamark 3 is scheduled for Q2/2003. Technically, the program utilizes recent hardware features of the new DirectX 9 API, such as PixelShader 2.0, while staying fully backward compatible to DirectX 8 and 7 graphics hardware. The graphics and game engine features activated can be configured in fine detail to allow the performance measurement to be adjusted appropriately for the target system.

[24.03.2003]CPUCooL 7.2.0 has been released! New in this version: new S1/C2 cooling by user, better info display, ASUS GeForce4 Graphic card support, ASUS A7S333 mainboard support.

RightMark Audio Analyzer 5.0 has been released! New features include: new user friendly routine for adjusting levels, wizard for quick and easy access to different testing modes, more handy and convenient testing of external devices, higher frequency resolution of spectrograms, many new test settings in options, a new PDF by Maxim Liadov explaning the basics of audio quality measurements.

[23.03.2003]Filemon 6.01 is available for download! It has a number of new features.

From now on, AutoBench3D is known as Bench'emAll!! The latest version (which is 2.1) has the following innovations: registration engine, help file, shareware status, minor GUI changes, etc.

[22.03.2003]CPUCooL 7.2.0 Beta 2 has been released! It is available for download from the official page.

[21.03.2003]Motherboard Monitor 5.3.0.0 has been released! New features include: plugins support, support for Intel ICH5, W83L785TS-S, W83L785TR, W83L785R, W83627HF/ADM1027 Combo, ADM1030/ADM1025 Combo, several improvements and bugfixes.

Belarc Advisor has been updated to version 5.1p!

[20.03.2003]Dean Software Design has released a replacement for its Techfacts XP. From now on the program is called PC Surgeon! PC Surgeon replaces Techfacts XP with a new intuitive interface, the addition of many new features and correction to existing defects.

[19.03.2003]AIDA32 Preview version 3.328 is available for download! It includes support for the latest ATI and nVIDIA video chipsets, ATI motherboard chipsets, mouse manufacturer information, updated web links collection and several bugfixes.
Alchemy Eye 4.7 has been released! Here's what's new: SNMP MIB database monitoring, multiple web interface users.

[18.03.2003]SiSoftware has officially released Sandra 2003/SP1 (2003.3.9.44)! It fixes a lot of bugs and contains an updated database with the latest PCI devices.

Belarc Advisor has been updated to version 5.1o!

[17.03.2003]HWiNFO32 1.30 has been released! New in this version: updated recognition of nVidia NV30, NV31 and NV34 based cards, support for VIA Nehemiah-based C3 processor, report of current memory clock, preliminary identification of PCI Express bus, enhanced Intel Prescott support, detection of ATI RV280, RV350, R350, M9+ and RS300 chipsets, preliminary recognition of i865 Springdale chipset and ICH5 SMBus, enhanced support of Intel 855GM/PM chipsets, etc.

NEW: Samsung Diagnostic is used to diagnose the disk when the SAMSUNG hard disk is suspected to have failures!

[16.03.2003]MBM Saver, a screen saver based on MBM 5 to display the temperatures and the fan speeds of the motherboard, has been updated! It has a few improvements.
[15.03.2003]CPUCooL 7.2.0 Beta has been released! You can download it from the official page.

[14.03.2003]Futuremark Corporation has announced that over 2.5 million copies of its 3DMark03 have been downloaded since launch last month! Read more.

[13.03.2003]A pre-release version of RightMark Audio Analyzer 5.0 is available for download! New features include: higher frequency resolution of spectrogram, more convenient testing of external devices, new routine for adjusting levels, many new test options, Wizard for quick and easy access to different testing modes, new manual by Maxim Liadov explaning the basics of audio quality measurements.
CD/DVD Diagnostic 2.0.2 has been updated with build 98! Now it supports CD-TEXT.

[12.03.2003]New review: Computer performance and resource management are issues that have kept all of us awake from time to time. For many of us, trying to take control of Windows resources has become a lifelong obsession. LIUtilities Wintasks 4 Professional takes up where the Windows Task Manager leaves off, and gives you a new level of control over your system... Read on.

SpeedFan 4.08 has been released! New in this version: full support for nVidia nForce2 chipset, full support for W83L785TS-S, fan speed readings for ALi M1535D/D+.

[11.03.2003]TaskInfo 2003 5.0.0.86 RC3 is available for download! It has several bugfixes.

[10.03.2003]UT2K3 Benchmark Utility 2.1 has been released! It fixes some bugs. If you want to run benchmarks in OpenGL correctly you will need to download this new version.

[09.03.2003]Another noteworthy program - Hardware Inspector! It is intended for automated hardware asset tracking and inventory management of hardware. The program supports AIDA32 and ASTRA reports. Learn more...

[08.03.2003]An interesting and quite useful program for your Palm handheld device - LCD Analyzer, which allows you to check the quality of Palm LCD. It can be used for inspecting for dead pixels or dust on your Palm LCD. Color and high resolution devices are supported.
[07.03.2003]VCool 2.0 Alpha is available for download! Keep in mind that this is just an alpha version which means that it is by no means feature complete or intended for normal use.
FreshDiagnose 5.60 has been released! What's new: Port Connectors module added and major bugs on hardware section fixed.

[06.03.2003]GLExcess XSMark 2.0 is currently under development. The forthcoming version will run a number of tests to determine system performance in the following areas: CPU speed, fill rate, polygon count, VRAM amount, extensions support. The release date is planned for Q4 2003.
You can learn more about GLExcess 2.0 at the official site.

CpuIDMax 2 has been updated! This release includes support for new CPUs (including Prescott and Barton), support for SSE3, bugfixes, etc.

[05.03.2003]Dacris Software is preparing "the world's first unified extensible online system benchmarking program", which is now known under the code name "Carleton". Built entirely with Microsoft .NET connected technology, "Carleton" will provide a huge variety of system performance tests and optimizations, using the latest technologies such as DirectX 9. It is designed from the ground up to be a program that accurately measures how fast real-life tasks are performed on personal computer systems, and business workstations and servers. On top of that, "Carleton" will deliver online services which allow storing of results and configuration data online. "Carleton" will also support client-server testing, reducing the amount of time required to test an entire network of systems by using distributed benchmarking. "Carleton" will be fully extensible through plugins and language packs. Finally, the program is going to offer highly specialized tests so you know exactly the weak and strong points of your system configuration.
For more information, please visit Dacris Software.

Drive Fitness Test 3.40 is available for download! This version includes the support for the latest drives and also includes ASPI Managers to support Adaptec Ultra320 and ATTO Ultra320 SCSI Controllers.

[04.03.2003]SMARTUDM 2.00 has been released! New in this version: drive selector, improved drive detection, detection of TA Counter Detected and TA Counter Increased attributes, additional drive information, bugfixes, etc.

[03.03.2003]Maxon has released CineBench 2003, a free benchmarking tool for Windows and Mac OS that is based on the company's powerful CINEMA 4D R8 software. CINEBENCH 2003 is set to deliver accurate benchmarks by testing not only a computer's raw processing speed but also all other areas that affect system performance such as OpenGL, multithreading, multiprocessors and Intel's new HyperThreading.



IP-Tools 2.20 has been released! New in this version: UDP Scanner, HTTP client, improved Connection Monitor, HostMonitor and GetTime utilities, etc.

HostMonitor 3.68 has been released! It has a lot of minor improvements.

[02.03.2003]Hot CPU Tester has been updated to version 3.4.2! It includes a few bugfixes.

[01.03.2003]StatWin Professional 5.5 has been released! It contains several minor improvements and bugfixes.

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