Watch DLTV online: Episode 183 episode 183

STUFF • Alex had a question about the Intel Q6600 and E6850 processors. Specifically he wanted to know which would be a better choice for a multi-tasking/gaming PC since both processors would be priced equivalently in the coming week. The Q6600 is a quad-core part running with a 1066MHz FSB and clocking in at 2.4GHz. The E6850 runs at an even 3.0GHz on the new 1333Mhz FSB. The question ultimately depends on software really. More heavily multi-threaded apps will be better taken advantage of using a quad-core processor like video encoding. The E6850 has a faster clock speed and front side bus than the Q6600 so it will be faster with CURRENT crop of games. Down the line however as games become more multi-threaded that could change and the Q6600 could be better. On over clocking front there's much more head room on the Q6600 than the E6850 which is already near the limit. Go with the E6850 if you want faster performance with current games and non-multi threaded apps or pick the Q6600 if you want potentially better performance down the road and chip more flexible when it comes to overclocking. • Dell power supplies from machines built between 1996 and 2000 can kill non-Dell motherboards. Thanks to Mark, Joe and "The Amigo" for giving us the specifics on this. It's a pin out issue on the 20 pin connector... it looks like standard ATX, but it isn't! • Oh... "The Verticle Thingy On The Keyboard" ... it's called a Pipe. Thanks to David, Michael, Kirby, Bill, Brian and Greg for writing to inform Roger and Patrick • E3 was downsized this year so the expectations weren't big as the 1UP crew made their way through this year's event. While Sony made some big announcements regarding a revised PSP that's slimmer, lighter, color and coordinated along with a $100 drop in PS3 pricing all turned out to be non-news stories as attention focused on the upcoming games his fall and early next year including up and coming PC shooter Crysis in all of its DirectX 10 glory. • Ryan wanted to know what brownouts were and what if any ill effects it could have on computer equipment. Brownouts are sags - reduced levels - of electrical power as opposed to a complete disconnection of power in a blackout. This is often caused by power supply or transmission issues usually from over demand of power like too many users or an old fridge kicking in. This can often wreck havoc on computer equipment when the power snaps back up but also when components malfunction from improper voltage that can cause the machine to fail completely, damage to hardware or data loss. Best solution is to invest a beefy UPS from companies like APC and Belkin. They're good insurance against blackouts, brownouts and the occasionally electrical storm. Remember when it doubt about how much to get err on the side of more power than not enough. • UPSs? Robert's fave uninterruptible power supply company is American Power Conversion, aka APC. The link goes to a handy "what UPS device is right for me" tool. For surge suppressors, Robert swears by Tripp Lite. • Finally for folks who want to get a regular set of ear/headphones plugged into their uber-chic iPhone there is a solution. Because the space around the 1/8" jack on the iPhone is recessed your standard headphone won¹t work. However Belkin has made an adapter that will allow you to plug in your normal headphones into them. Another solution is to use an exacto knife and cut away enough casing material from around the headphone jack to allow the use of a normalheadphone plug. • SunRocket Folds... We received a few emails this morning asking advice on what to do after SunRocket, the second biggest VoIP provider in the US, shut down operations with notifying customers. A unnamed source told the New York Times that the company is trying to place its 200,000 customers with another provider. • What VoIP provider would we use? Skype. Or, if it's decently priced, whatever your broadband provider offers. • On a more cheerful note, Web Radio's Not Dead Yet! Tentative Deal Reached Over Web Radio Royalty Fees • Linear-Logic's ScanGuage II plugs into your car's ODBII port, and acts as a scan tool, trip computer, and live gauges for MPG, MPH, engine temps, your throttle position sensor, all sorts of interesting stuff.

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