MaximumPC 2004 08

Reviews

AUGUST 2004 MAXIMUMPC 57

Best of the Best As of August, 2004

A momentous event for archivists: Sony has introduced the world’s first dual-layer DVD burner:

the DRU-700A. While dual-layer media isn’t cheap or plentiful, we can’t see any reason to want a

single-layer burner at this point (for holdouts we recommend Plextor’s new PX-712A as the best

single-layer burner.) We’ve also given the nod to NEC’s popular FE21111SB^ as the best CRT moni-

tor, after it edged out Sony’s CRT in the July issue. We have two other CRT reviews coming next

month that could change this verdict, so stay tuned. On hold this month is our Athlon 64 FX moth-

erboard pick. With the introduction of Socket 939 CPUs and mobos, it doesn’t make any sense

to buy a Socket 940 board at this point. And, while we think highly of Asus A8V, we’re reserving

judgment until we can get test time with other Socket 939 motherboards with competing chipsets.

There’s a shocking development in gaming this month: While the staff won’t admit it, several edi-

tors have been spotted playing Singles: Flirt Up Your Life!

We were green with envy that our sister magazine

Guitar

World produced a special “legends” issue. Even worse, it

was positioned next to our magazine in our corporate lobby,

stealing all the glory.

A Legend Is Born

Our current gaming favorites : Thief 3, City of Heroes, Singles: Flirt Up Your Life!,

Painkiller

Not wanting to be outdone by a bunch of long hairs, we put

our heads together and tried to come up with a PC-based

cover that would rock as hard as Guitar World on the news-

stand. They will rue the day they went head to head with the

most kick-ass PC magazine on the planet!

And just like that, a new magazine

issue, was born! For our first

we caught up with PC Legend

“Ung-Rebooted” tour and have the exclusive details on his Gordon Mah Ung on his

stage rig, his thoughts on the “Piccard versus Kirk” debate,

and more. Don’t miss it!

Viva Aria!

These mobos are compatible with Antec’s Aria SFF box

You know how we gushed about Antec’s Aria small formfactor case in the June issue

but said we couldn’t get a list of compatible micro ATX mobos from Antec? Well, it

turns out we actually had the list the whole time. In the interest of setting the record

straight, here’s a short list of boards that should work in the Aria: MSI K7N2GM-L,

MSI RS3M-IL, Intel D865GLC, Intel D865GLCL, Asus A8N8X-VM, Asus P4P800-VM,

and Abit IS-12. Antec says it can’t actively endorse any of the motherboards listed

above but the company is more than happy to steer customers in the right direction

should they need help selecting a compatible board ( http://www.antec-inc.com ).

And just like that, a new magazine

issue, was born! For our first

we caught up with PC Legend

Gordon Mah Ung on his

PC LEGENDS

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Zip-Linq Wireless Phone Charger Kit

The Leatherman of phone chargers

Zip-Linq helps clear up cable clutter and free your precious power

outlets with its USB phone charger kit. Instead of using the

giant cell phone power brick that blocks two or more out-

lets, you can just plug your phone into a nearby USB port.

While we found charging our phone off USB to be a

bit slower than plugging it into the wall, it’s a great way to

salvage some extra power outlets. Each kit includes a set

of phone adapters, an AC adapter for wall outlets, a car

adapter, a retractable USB 1.1 cable, and a nylon baggie

for storing it all.

It’s a great deal, considering that $30 gets you a car, wall,

and USB charger for a handful of phones, and a retractable

USB 1.1 cable for any other use to boot! http://www.ziplinq.com

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High-end videocard:

ATI Radeon X800 XT

Platinum Edition

Budget videocard:

ATI Radeon 9800

Do-everything videocard:

All-in-Wonder Radeon

9800 Pro

Soundcard:

Sound Blaster Audigy 2

ZS Platinum

Serial ATA hard drive:

Western Digital 740GD/

IBM 7K250

Parallel ATA hard drive:

Hitachi 7K400

CD-RW drive:

Plextor PlexWriter

Premium

DVD burner:

Plextor PX-708A

LCD monitor:

Dell 2001FP

High-end CRT monitor:

NEC FE2111

Budget CRT monitor:

Cornerstone P1750

P4 motherboard:

Abit IC7-MAX3

Athlon XP motherboard:

Hold Asus SK8V

Athlon FX motherboard:

Asus SK8V

Portable MP3 player:

Apple iPod 40GB

Photo printer:

Canon i9900

Pocket PC PDA:

HP iPaq 5555

Palm OS PDA:

Palm Tungsten C

7.1 speakers:

Creative Labs 7.1

Gigaworks S750

5.1 speakers:

Logitech Z-680

4.1 speakers:

Logitech Z-560

2.1 speakers:

Logitech Z-2200