Max's blog

Despite the mixed reviews of Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen, I went to watch it and i really enjoyed the film. It is funny, pack with more robots fight and surprising moments.

Story
Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen story begins after 2 years, in order for the Autobots to hunt down the remaining decepticons. Optimus Prime led a military organization consisting both the military and the Autobots called nest.
The group went to Shanghai to track 2 Decepticons, Sideways and demolisher. Both of the Decepticons were killed during the hunt. Sideways was killed by Sideswipe and Demolisher was killed by Optimus Prime.

While Sam Witwicky was talking with his girlfriend Mikaela, he stumbled on a Allspark fragment. While staring at the fragment, the Allspark transfer information into Sam Witwicky’s mind. (Watch the above short video of this portion.)

Optimus Prime was having a meeting with the military. While the meeting is ongoing, Soundwave disguise as a satellite in space. He taps into a satellite to find the location of Megatron and a allspark pieces hidden in a bunker.

Soundwave deploy Ravage to steal the allspark fragment and it suceed in stealing it. What happen next you will have to watch it.

My opinion on Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen

Transformers: Revenge Of  The Fallen story is a fun and entertaining movie.  There are humour in this movie like when Wheelie was trying to steal the Allspark fragment.

He stumbled into a glue and also a rat trap.Mikaela was able to stop Wheelie because of the noise he made. (Watch the above short clip of this portion.) I really love watching the robots fighting scene.

The best one was when Optimus Prime fight 3 Decepticons in the forest to protect Sam. The visual effect in this scene is spectacular especially the soil. I really enjoy watching this film, i be buying a copy of Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen DVD when it comes out.

I hope the next film both Autobots and Decepticons battle on their home planet Cybertron. I would love to see robots that can combine into one giant machine and battle each other.

written by Max \\ tags: Transformers 2, Transformers 2 review, Transformers Revenge of the Fallen, Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen review

AMD motherboard for AMD processor which has SB750 southbrigde has ACC settings unlocks the additional cores for AMD Phenom 2 X3/AMD Phenom 2 X2 series when turn on. Unlocking the additional cores on Nvidia motherboard for AMD processor such as Nvidia Geforce 8300 like Asus M4N78 pro is done by turning on the “NVIDIA Core Calibration” .

I managed to unlock the AMD Phenom 2 X2 550 Black Edition additional 2 cores on Asus M4N78 pro but it is not stable. Even downclocking the frequency could not make it stable. Please take note that unlocking the additional cores for AMD Phenom 2 X3/AMD Phenom 2 X2 series depends whether are you lucky enough to unlock it.

Once the additional cores are unlock, do stress test to ensure that it is stable.

written by Max \\ tags: AMD Phenom 2 X2 550 Black Edition, AMD Phenom 2 X2 550 Black Edition unlock cores, Nvidia ACC settings, NVIDIA Core Calibration, quad core

AMD Phenom 2 X2 550 Black Edition finally arrive in Singapore.

I brought mine from Fuwell for SGD$165 (After 2% discount for cash payment, actual retail price is SGD $169.)

AMD Phenom 2 X2 550 Black Edition is based on Deneb architecture and it has a high clock speed at 3.1GHZ which make this the current fastest AMD dual core processor.

AMD Phenom 2 X2 550 supports AMD Cool and Quiet 3.0 technology. Turning this on, the processor will reduce it’s speed to save power. AMD Phenom 2 X2 550 reduce it’s frequency from 3.1GHZ to 800MHZ to reduce power consumption.

I’m using Coolermaster Susurro to cool the processor, at IDLE the temperature is 27 degrees.

Under load, AMD Phenom 2 X2 550 temperature is at 40 degrees.

Now it’s time to overclock the AMD Phenom 2 X2 550 Black Edition and see what frequency can it reach when overclock.

My computer specifications are:

AMD Phenom 2 X2 550

Asus M4N78 Pro

Corsair XMS2 DHX DDR2-800 4-4-4-12

Coolermaster Realpower 450 Watt

Round one: Bus speed Overclock

I adjust the bus speed to 226 and obtain 3.5GHZ easily. Wow, AMD Phenom 2 X2 550 Black Edition is indeed overclockable and without breaking a sweat it can reach 3.5GHZ easily.

I tried adjusting the bus speed this time to 233 to acheive 3.6 GHZ but my motherboard readjust it to 231. (This indicate that the bus speed is not stable to run.)

At 3.6GHZ, the idle temperature AMD Phenom 2 X2 550 is 39 degress.

Round 2: Mulitiply Overclock

I slowly raise the multiply with 0.5 increment from 15.5 till I reach 20. At multiply of 20, the frequency shown in the bios is 4 GHZ but my operating system cannot start. Thus I’m unable to get the CPU-Z screenshot.

Disappointed that at 4 GHZ, windows could not boot. I decrease the multiply to 19.5 and get 3.9 GHZ, at this frequency my operating system is able to start and get the CPU-Z screenshot.

I did some stress test at 3.9GHZ but sadly the system is not stable.

Overall AMD Phenom 2 X2 550 Black Edition is a fast and overclockable chip. Price at $169 is pretty a steal at this price, furthermore it’s performace is close to Intel Core 2 Duo E8XXX series (According to online reviews) which makes it the most bang for buck processor.

I did not do any game benchmark on my own as my current computer lack a decent graphic card to pair with AMD Phenom 2 X2 550.

written by Max \\ tags: AMD, AMD Phenom 2 X2 550 3.9 GHZ, AMD Phenom 2 X2 550 4 GHZ, AMD Phenom 2 X2 550 Black Edition, Asus, Asus M4N78 PRO, Coolermaster, Coolermaster Realpower 450 Watt, corsair, Corsair XMS2 DHX DDR2-800 4-4-4-12, Dual Core, fastest budget processor, Fuwell, Overclock, processor, Sim Lim Sqaure

Street Fighter IV will be release for the PC this month end 30th June 2009. The Street Fighter IV PC Benchmark is available to download at this website. http://www.4gamer.net/games/049/G004954/20090612078/

It’s a good idea to let users benchmark their system before the game is release. Users can determine whether their system is suitable to run this game.

Street Fighter IV PC requirements are as follows:

Minimum PC specifictions

OS: Windows XP

CPU: Intel Pentium 4 2.0GHz or higher

RAM: 1 GB or higher

Hard disk: 10 GB of free space or more

Video Card: DirectX 9.0c/Shader3.0 or higher compatible, NVIDIA GeForce 6600 series, ATI Radeon(TM) X1600 or higher or higher, VRAM :256MB or higher

Sound: DirectSound compatible, DirectX 9.0c (or higher) compatible

Input Devices: Mouse, Keyboard

Maximum PC specifictions

OS: Windows Vista

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo 2.0 GHz or higher

RAM: 2 GB or higher

HDD: 10 GB of free space or more

Video Card: DirectX 9.0c/Shader3.0 or higher compatible, NVIDIA GeForce 8600 series or higher, ATI Radeon(TM) X 1900 or higher, VRAM :512MB or higher

Sound: DirectSound compatible, DirectX 9.0c (or higher) compatible

Input Devices: Gamepad – Xbox 360 Controller for Windows

I did a bechmark on the following PC specifications:

CPU: Intel Pentium Dual CPU E2200 @ 2.20GHz

Memory: 1024MB

Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GT

Display Setting: 1024×768 60Hz

OS: Windows 7 Ultimate Release Candiate

Game Settings: Every Graphical option turn to high

The average frame rate at the first run is 31 framerate with v-sync on. I did a second run with v-sync off and this time the system score 51 framerate.

Street Fighter IV manage to run smoothly during the benchmark on this PC, no slowdown was seen during the benchmark. I will be doing another run on my AMD pc to see how it perform.

written by Max \\ tags: Street Fighter IV, Street Fighter IV PC Benchmark, Street Fighter IV PC requirements

My first and biggest computer case I ever brought, the Coolermaster HAF 932. I brought it from a Potterhouse for $218 and they deliever the case to my place.

The front of the Coolermaster HAF 932

Rear of the case, here there is a 140mm X 25 MM fan.

The top of  the case, here there is a 230mm X 30 MM fan attached.

The right side of the case

The left side of the case

Removing the left side panel reveals a attached 230mm X 30 mm fan.

Plenty of space and roomy inside the case.

There is a box containing the necessary accessories like the screws, power cable, 2.5″ to 3.5″ face place and wheels inside the case.

Cable management isn’t that easy and I spend at least 3 hours trying to get everything neat and tidy. I also installed a additional 120mm fan at the bottom of the case.

I also install an additional 120mm fan at the top beside the 230 mm fan.

Coolermaster HAF 932 is a beauty when switch on, the 230mm fans inside this case are not that noisy.

Coolermaster HAF 932 is such a big and thanks to it’s 230mm fans. It is able to push more air into the case and there’s nothing I dislike about this case.

written by Max \\ tags: Coolermaster HAF 932

It’s a tough decision to choose between Creative ZEN, Creative Mosaic and Creative Zen X-fi.

In the end I brought the Creative Zen X-Fi 8GB bundle with a charger for $229 from Challenger. 

The reason why I brought the Creative Zen X-Fi is because of it’s Creative X-fi features which restores details and clarity to music files. 

The contents inside the case, the Creative EP-830 earpiece, USB Cable, manual, application CD. The good thing about the Creative Zen X-Fi is that there is no need to install the driver when it is plug into the computer, the device will automacticly run. 

Left Side of the player

The right side of the player, the USB, headphone jack and power LED is located here. 

The player when switch on.

The speaker is located on the bottom of the player. 

The rear of the Creative ZEN X-FI

The SD slot

Creative Zen X-Fi Menu

The highlight of this player, the Creative X-Fi technology. 

My final setup consist of the Creative Zen X-Fi with the arm band and Creative HQ-140. 

So let’s see what are the advantages and disadvantages of the Creative Zen X-Fi.

Advantages

• Easy to use and setup
• Creative X-fi technology enhances the playback quality of audio files
• Able to watch movies and shows

Disadvantages

• There should be a online movie store for people to buy and download into the Creative Zen X-Fi. As most of the VCDS and DVDS are copy protected thus ripping of this media is prohibited. 

Overall the Creative Zen X-fi is a excellent player with excellent audio quality thanks to the Creative X-fi technology. I really hope there is a online movie store so people can buy and download into the Creative Zen X-fi so I can watch these shows on the go.

written by Max \\ tags: Creative Zen X-Fi

I brought the Nokia 1661 as I’m going back to camp for training. The nokia 1661 is a non camera handphone suitable for camp training as camera phones are prohibited in camps.  

written by Max \\ tags: Nokia 1661

I brought 2 Logitech LS1 Laser Mouse, 1 for work and the other for

home use. (Each is priced at SGD $29.00)

The mouse has a black glossy finish and there are 2 additional buttons on each side of the mouse.

These buttons can be programme using logitech setpoint software to perform certain task. 

The mouse moves smoothly on any surface thank to its well made bottom surface. Logitech LS 1 Laser Mouse is a pretty, fast and bang for buck.

written by Max \\ tags: Logitech LS 1 Laser Mouse

 In Yes Man, Carl Allen who suffered depression after his disvorce with his ex wife Stephanie.

Led him to a lonely life as he doesn’t want to spend time with his friends and he say no to everything in his life. He spend his freetime watching movies instead of hanging out with his friends at a bar.

Carl life change when one day he met Nick outside the bank, Nick persuade Carl in attending “Yes” self-improvement seminar  and Carl decided to attend the seminar.

At the seminar Terrence Bundley (The spokesman of the seminar) convince Carl to make a promise to himself that he will say “yes” to everything in his life.

After the seminar, Carl met a homeless guy and he drive the guy to Elysian Park as he could not break his promise of saying “yes”. After dropping off the homeless guy, he was stranded in the park with no money, his handphone battery is dead and his car has no fuel. 

He went downhill to a petrol station to get some fuel and he also met Allison who is also refueling her scooter. Allison gave Carl a ride back to his car and give him a kiss.

Life than after for Carl begin to change as he say “Yes” to everything in his life. There are laughs and so touching moments. You will have to pick up a copy to find out.    

Overall Yes Man movie is an inspiring and funny movie to watch. This movie also tells me to make the right decision in life, life will be better if you made the right choice.

written by Max \\ tags: Yes Man DVD

After spending hours searching for a keyboard that has good typing comfort and nice design. I finally lay eyes on the Logitech Media Keyboard and brought 2 of it at $33.80 from Cyberactive. (Each is priced at $16.90)

Opening the box reveal the driver CD & the manual on the first layer.  

The keyboard is at the bottom, it is neatly and conveniently pack  for user to easily remove the packaging.

The Logitech Media Keyboard

The rear of the Logitech Media Keyboard

The right side of the Logitech Media Keyboard

The Bottom of the Logitech Media Keyboard.

The left side of the Logitech Media Keyboard.

The top of the Logitech Media Keyboard.

 Logitech Media Keyboard is an PS/2 port keyboard

On the right side, there are two buttons which are programmable. 

On the center of the keyboard is is where the number and caps lock LED are located. There is LED labeled “F” which will light up if the user is using standard keys, the LED will not lit up if the user is using enhanced keys. 

(Pressing the “F” mode key toggle the enchanced keys)

From F1 to F12, there is additional functions to these keys and they are programmable. Uses will have to press the “F” mode beside F12 to toggle this additional functions.

Like F1 brings up the help file and F7 toggle printing. F9 to F12 do not have assign task to them so you can programme them to do other task. 

On the right side of the keyboard, there is a volume control, a email, web page and calculator button. These keys are also programmable. 

Typing on the Logitech Media keyboard is comfortable and the keys are easily programmable using Logitech Setpoint software.

written by Max \\ tags: keyboard, Logitech Media Keyboard