Samsung Galaxy Note III to Pack a Snapdragon 800 Processor

Samsung’s next Galaxy Note smartphone, the long rumored Galaxy Note III, might arrive on shelves with a Snapdragon 800 processor packed inside – at least in some markets, based on Galaxy S4’s launch –, some of the latest reports on the matter suggest.

Apparently, Galaxy Note III is the fourth smartphone currently rumored to be powered by Qualcomm’s upcoming chipset, mobileaks found out. LG Optimus G2, Pantech IM-A880, and the Sony Xperia Honami (i1) should include it as well. The info comes from zdnet.co.kr, and contradicts previous rumors claiming that Samsung would pack the device with an Exynos 5 Octa CPU. However, the same as Galaxy S 4, the upcoming device might include both processors, depending on the market in which it will be released.

No official confirmation on this has been provided as of now, but Samsung might make a formal announcement on it soon, so stay tuned.

Samsung Galaxy Note II
Image credits to Samsung

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Silicon Power Jewel J10, Newest and Shiniest Flash Drive

We don't doubt that there are some who would like to own a flash drive, or really anything else, with a case made of gold or silver, but the gadgets of that type are rare, which is why paint and other alternatives, in this case stainless steel, are used most of the times instead.

Thus, the Silicon Power Jewel J10 is just a bit less of a jewel than the company would have everyone believe. Still, it has its assets and uses, like all flash drives, especially those that want to pass off as luxurious accessories. The Jewel 10 is definitely small enough to hang from a keychain and add some attitude and allure to one's appearance, however slight. First, we'll get the technical specs out of the way. The storage space can be of 8 GB, 16 GB, 32 GB and 64 GB, while the USB technology supported is 3.0. All inside a frame of 31.5 x 12.2 x 4.6 mm / 1.24 x 0.48 x 0.18 inches. It also supports not just Windows, but Mac and Linux operating systems. Which leaves us with the design features meant to reel consumers in, and we're talking about more than just the silver sheen.

The COB3.0 (Chip On Board) technology is a major advantage. Without it, the size would have been impossible. That the case is water, dust, shock and vibration proof definitely doesn't hurt either. Then, there is the cap-less design (for easy sue and storage). Everything combines into a “stylish and exquisite design with sparkling-silver casing and delicate logo sculpture.”

Silicon Power's 10 g (0.35 ounce) USB 3.0 flash drive unit should already be up for sale, or will be soon enough. The package includes a 60-day trial of the Norton Internet Security software suite, plus SP Widget application software (seven major backup and security tools).

Silicon Power Jewel J10
Image credits to Silicon Power

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Complete AMD Radeon HD 8000 Graphics Cards Specs

It's one thing to know that a company is preparing a new range of graphics cards, and another to know what those cards will be and what specifications they bear. That is why we didn't skim over this Chiphell forum post.

AMD's Radeon HD 8000 series of desktop graphics cards will be powered by the GCN 2.0 architecture which, in turn, comes in multiple versions. One of them is called GCN 2.0 Curacao architecture and has 55 million transistors, all inside a die of 420 mm2. The GPU boasts 2,304 stream processors, 144 TMUs, 36 CUs and 48 ROPs, while the clock speed is of 1,100 MHz. Meanwhile, the 6 GB of GDDR5 VRAM operate at 7 GHz over an interface of 384 bits. For something priced at $599 / €599, the parameters aren't that bad (floating point performance of 5.07 TFLOPS). The TDP is 250W and the advantage over the HD 7970GHz is of 35%.

The second video card, Radeon HD 8950, has the XT 28nm process GCN2.0 Hainan architecture, with 35 million transistors and 270 mm2 die size. There are 28 CUs, 1,792 stream processors, 112 TMUs, 32 ROPs and a memory interface of 256 bits. The GPU operates at 1,200 MHz, while the 4 GB of GDDR5 VRAM function at 7 GHz. Everything demands 190W of energy. The price of the Radeon HD 8950 video board will be of $399 / €309 – 399. The performance is 10% superior to HD 7970GHz.

The third card, HD 8870, is 40% better than the HD 7870 and has a price of $299 / €231 – 299. It has a GCN 2.0 GPU with 32 ROPs, 24 CUs, 1,536 SP, 256-bit interface and 1,100 GHz speed. As for the 2 GB VRAM, they work at 6 GHz. The adapter has a TDP of 160W. Finally, the HD 8850, powered by the Hainan LE 28nm GCN 2.0 GPU, has 20 CUs, 1,280 SPs, 80 TMUs, 32 ROPs and 256-bit memory interface. The GPU and memory run at 1 GHz and 6 GHz, respectively, and the TDP is of 130W. Sales will start sooner or later for $229 / €177 – 229. The board will be 15% faster than HD 7870. The information is more or less the same as what was rumored last year.

AMD Radeon HD 8000 detailed
Image credits to AMD

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