This week, we continue to see more of the new NVIDIA 7 series graphics cards appearing at the stores. One of the mid range 7600GT cards that debuted at the IT Show 2006, but didn't have enough stocks to make it retail shelves, is the MSI Geforce 7600GT. It once became the talk of the town back then, due to the lowest priced 7600GT at the show, but unfortunately, it was being sold out soon after word spread. Right now, we managed to catch a few pieces selling at Fuwell, at the same show price of  $369. This card do not feature at out-of-box pre-overclocking, but it's nice price tag could just make up for it.

The packaging of the MSI Geforce 7600GT. As usual, they've got a simple, yet eye catching design.

This is how the card looks like from the top. Like all other Geforce 7600GT in the market, this MSI card is still based on the same NVIDIA reference design. The layout of the card should be no stranger to you anymore by now.

Like any other 7600GTs and even 7900GTs, these cards come with Samsung 1.4ns GDDR3 memory, capable of doing 714MHz (1430MHz DDR) clocks.

The I/O connectors are also pretty standard over here. Dual DVI output, together with the TV-Out connector.

The heatsink design follows exactly the same as what NVIDIA had on the referece card - folded copper fins, with a radial blower fan that sucks in air from the top, and expels cool air into the surrounding openings.

This is how the back of the card looks like. Nothing much to note here, except for the few warranty / brand stickers that will identify the make of the card.

The other 7600GT that came into retail stores this week is the ASUS EN7600GT. Although this card doesn't feature anything different from the rest of the 7600GTs out there, it comes with a 3 year warranty that might interest some consumers. With a slightly higher price tag of $387, ASUS sure command a slightly higher price tag, probably due to the extended warranty it offers. For those who are interested, you can find this card at Bell Systems.

This is how the packaging of the ASUS EN7600GT is like. Apparently, most of their current generation cards carries the King Kong design and of course, the game is included.

The ASUS EN7600GT from top down. As we've reiterated over and over again, this is yet another 7600GT that follows strictly to NVIDIA's reference design. Even the heatsink emblem is kept the same!

Likewise, the I/O connectors are virtually the same as the rest. Dual DVI supporting Dual Link DVI output, and a TV-Out DIN connector.

The memory used on this card should be of no familiar to you by now - Samsung's 1.4ns GDDR3 memory.

The heatsink design is also the same from the rest of the cards out there.

The back side of the card is also very similar to the rest of the 7600GTs out there in the market. Nothing special except for the few stickers that indicate it's brand and model.

As for the higher end family of the newly launched 7 series, there are a few 7900GT/GTXs that appeared this week. One of the cards that made to the retail shelves this week is the MSI Geforce 7900GT. Selling at a rather low price of just $589, it might be one of the cheapest 7900GT on sale, with a 2 year distributor's warranty. As per MSI's tradition, this card does not offers any form of pre-overclocking out of the box. For those who're interested, you can catch this card at Fuwell.

This is the packaging of the MSI Geforce 7900GT. Although it didn't have a very big packaging, it has a handle for easy carrying.

This is how the MSI Geforce 7900GT looks like from top down. The PCB of the card is exactly the same as the reference NVIDIA card. However, they've bothered to changed the heatsink emblem to MSI's unique "NX7900GT" - which looked pretty nice to me at least.

The I/O outputs on this card is no stranger - Dual DVI supporting Dual Link DVI output, and the conventional TV-Out.

The heatsink design is similar to those found on the 7600GT, which includes copper folded fins, and a radial at the lower left corner.

The memory chips on the card are like these pictured - Samsung 1.4ns GDDR 3 memories.

This is how the back of the card looks like. Once again, no major components are placed here.

Just as what's stated on the box, the local distributor of MSI (Corbell Technology) is giving away $10 NTUC shopping vouchers for every 7900GT purchased!

The flagship card of NVIDIA's current line up is their Geforce 7900GTX. This time round, we didn't see as much stocks of such cards as compared to it's predecessor, the 7800GTX. But nevertheless, we still managed to find a small quantity of such cards proudly being displayed on retail shelves both last week and this week. One of such cards that appeared this week is Leadtek Winfast PX7900GTX. Although this card still carry the same reference design, Leadtek had tinted the heatsink shroud black, and included some "personalization"  on the card. The standard version of the Winfast PX7900GTX doesn't provide any out of box pre-overclocking, but we've heard the existence of the "Extreme" version that would provide pre-overclocking. Nevertheless, we haven't spot that on retail yet, but this particular standard card can be found at Bell Systems, going for just $955.

This is how the PX7900GTX is packaged in. The packaging is similar to what the PX7900GT has.

The card itself, together with it's large (but still based on the reference designed) cooler. Leadtek had some emblems on it's heatsink, and the design looks exactly the same as how the PX7800GTX 512 looks like.

Just like any other 7900GTX out there, the cooling solution features 4 heatpipes soldered on the copper plate at the center, where the graphics core is. Heat is transferred from the core region to the surrounding fins, and the large radial fan at the center will expel heat from both direction.

All high-end cards would feature similar output options like this card - Dual DVI output together with the DIN TV-Out connector.

The back of the card looks like this.

Here, you can see the fineness and the density of the fins on the cooling solution. And of course, high end cards like this would require a 6pin PCIe power connector to work.

On the motherboard segment, we've found a new model from MSI, that features NVIDIA's Geforce 6150 the fastest integrated graphics as of yet. Not only does this board offers some decent onboard graphics, it also comes with a DVI output - something you seldom see on a motherboard with integrated graphics. The MSI K8MGM2-FID has all of the above mentioned, and is priced fairly well at $189 for this all in one board. If you're interested in getting, head on over to Fuwell, it's available there.

This is how the packaging of the MSI K8MGM2-FID looks like.

Here's a look at the label affixed on the motherboard, with a summary of the key features available on the motherboard.

And this is how the board looks like from top down. The layout of the board is kept rather well, with no major flaws in this department specifically.

This board is sure feature packed, with the inclusion of a Firewire port, and also, a DVI output port on it's rear I/O connectors.

It appears that the northbridge is a rather cool running chip, with such a small passive heatsink covering it.

The MSI K8MGM2-FID comes with this Realtek ALC880 8 channel HD Audio controller.

For those who's interested, the board we've spotted happens to be a version 1.0 board.

With the debut of Microsoft's Xbox 360 last week, there's quite a big bunch of accessories to go with this new console. These accessories would give your spanking new Xbox 360 new functionalities, making it the perfect home entertainment device anyone can have right now. Before we start off, all of the below mentioned Xbox accessories could be found at Gamers Hub, located on the 5th level in Sim Lim Square.

 One of the first things that had caught this writer's eye is the Xbox 360 Faceplates. These plates comes in different intriguing designs, and are available in single or double packs, and priced at $33 and $39 respectively.

Here's just some of the many different designs the faceplates are available in. As pictured, these plates are available in both single and double packs.

Since the original "Standard" package of the Xbox 360 only includes a single wireless controller, you can purchase another Wireless Controller at $75.90

In order to satisfy your multimedia needs, you might want to consider of an additional 20GB Hard Drive that you can connect to your console. This additional 20GB will go for $159

The Microsoft Xbox 360 doesn't just end there as a gaming console. It would double up as an entertainment device, with the ability to play DVDs for instance. To make it more convenient, a Remote Controller is available on it's own, at just $49.90.

This is something meant for multiplayer freaks. The optional Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) Adaptor allows 2 Xbox 360 to be connected wirelessly for more multiplayer madness. This adaptor goes for $75.90

Finally, the Xbox Live Gold (1 month) Subscription Card is available, meant for online multiplayer options. Also available, is the 1600 Point Card, where the user can purchase items / options with these points. The cards go for $13.90 and $33 respectively. 

Over at Fuwell, we've spotted the absolute fastest in AMD's line of CPUs. The AMD Athlon 64 FX-60 is now available there, at an eye popping price tag of $1899. Remember, you're getting a Dual Core CPU, that runs at 2.6GHz, with multipliers unlocked totally both upwards and downwards. Those we've found are of a pretty recent batch, made this year, on the 8th week.

Following the packaging of the previous Athlon FX line of silver packaging, the FX-60 follows the tradition.

For those interested, here's a snapshot of the CPU complete with all it's markings.

At Bell systems, we've spotted the absolute cheapest wireless optical mouse ever. The Microsoft Wireless Optical Mouse is going for only $29, making it cheaper then some basic optical wired mouse! Although it doesn't have any top end optical sensor engines to boasts about, but hey, it's not even $30 for a wireless mouse! Not to mention, it even comes with Microsoft's special tilt scroll wheel that allows horizontal tilting - great for frequent spreadsheet users.

The mouse that we're talking about. Yes, this package is only for $29.

A close up on the label, with some information on the mouse.

Seems like this mouse is able to last 3 times longer then other wireless mice in terms of battery life. Not bad at all.

This particular weekend is also one of the busiest weekends ever at VR-Zone. Probably due to the launch of Planet NVIDIA, a concept showroom that allows consumers and gamers to have a hand at the latest hardware / peripherals and even the latest PC games, all right at Planet NVIDIA. On the 24th of March 2006, the VR-Zone managed Planet NVIDIA officially opened it's doors. On the 24th, we had a private launch function for sponsors and others from the related industry, while on Saturday, 25th March, we had a grand opening - complete with top clan players, hardware enthusiasts, and even curious on lookers. Nevertheless, we've got overwhelming response on Planet NVIDIA, and we'll like to thank everyone that had made this possible. =)

Some of the top clan players from Xtreme clan graced the event on both 24th and 25th.

Food and drinks were provided, and we're sure everyone ate to their heart's content.

Planet NVIDIA is about gaming and the appreciation of hardware / peripherals. Of course, these top gamers indulged themselves in some serious fragging with out top end systems on demo.

And more fragging...

On the launch day, Fast Logic, a store that specializes in projection display located just next door, was kind enough to allow gamers to have a try at projector gaming - where gamers can game on their massive projector display, just like what's pictured here.

Then after a busy day at the launch, crew members and close members were treated to a hearty meal over at Summerview hotel. Kudos to you guys!

Alright, before we end off this session of the weekly SLS Walkabouts, we've caught a pretty model that graced our launch party, courtesy of MCP Computers, the distributor of Inno3D graphics card - Planet NVIDIA's official graphics card provider.

Ok, that's the end, catch you next week =)