Sunday, March 6, 2011
How To Transparent Your Desktop Screen
10:07 AM
You can't make your desktop wallpaper transparent, but you can make an image that makes it look like your whole computer screen is transparent and you can see whatever is behind it. This is easier to do if your computer is a laptop, though to get the right effect, you then have to leave the laptop in the same location all the time. It's a better long-term trick if you make this type of background for a desktop computer, and especially effective if one or more objects can be seen next to the computer screen and also extend behind it, such as a cord, a poster on the wall or an item on your desk.
First, you will need these things :
- Digital camera
- Tripod (optional)
- Image-editing software
1. Take a photo of your computer. If your computer is a laptop, take a picture of the laptop with the screen open. The computer should be positioned in a location where you most frequently use it. If you have a tripod, set it up to take both this photo and the one in the step below, without moving the camera in between shots.
2. Remove the computer monitor or close the laptop and take another photo of the exact same location. This photo should show the area behind where the monitor or screen was when you took the first photo. The camera should be in the exact same spot as it was when you took the first photo for best results.
3. Open both photos in your image-editing software.
4. Make a copy of the second photo, the photo that shows what is behind the computer monitor.
5. Select the first photo, the one that shows the computer screen. Name the existing layer "Screen Photo" by editing the default name in the Layer Properties palette. You may have to promote the background to a layer, depending on the software you are using, to rename the layer. Then paste the copy of the second photo in as a new layer. Name the new layer "Behind Screen."
6. Select the Behind Screen layer and lower the layer's opacity to approximately 50 percent. Do this in the Layer palette. You should be able to see the photo with the computer screen through the other layer, but the Behind Screen photo should still be visible as well.
7. Drag the Behind Screen layer so that items that are shown in both photos line up exactly. If you did a good job taking the photos, the two images should line up without the need to resize one of them. If not, scale one of the images or retake the photos, whichever is easier for you.
8. Select the Screen Photo layer. Using the rectangle selection tool, select the area just inside the screen's bevel, so that your marquee goes around the exact edge of the actual computer screen.
9. Select the Behind Screen layer, making sure to keep the selection in place. Set this layer's opacity back to 100 percent. Then select "Copy" from the "Edit" menu.
10. Open a new image and select "Paste." Or you may be able to select "Paste as New Image" from the "Edit" menu. The image you've pasted should be the area behind your computer screen, and nothing else.
11. Save the image as a JPG. Discard all changes made to the other images.
12. Alter your system settings to make the image you saved in step 11 your desktop wallpaper. Now when anyone looks at your computer, it will look as if the screen is transparent.
You may say it's impossible but everything is possible with creativity. Here are detailed instructions on how to do it. Transparent desktop screens mean the desktop of your laptop screen gives an impression of being transparent such that you can see all.
Beautiful Creative Transparent Laptops Screen
7:59 AM
As a gadget-lover, I am proud to say that SONY is on the verge of a breakthrough in creating such awesome transparent screens. As you can see in the picture beside, it looks promising. But, as designers, we find a ways to mimic almost everything. Technology is not at all an exception.
Move aside SONY, we designers have our own way to make our laptop screens transparent. Well, it is fun and awesome. In this article, I will show some really cool examples of desktop and laptop screens which seem to be “transparent” but it is just a clever manipulation of a photograph. It is a very skilled procedure to make it look exactly real. A little bit of adjustments in the lighting conditions and some contrast values is sure to get the transparent screen up and running. It is also a clever way to fool your friends :)
There is no way one can predict what is going to be the gadget of the future. Technology advances so fast that gadgets released yesterday become obsolete today. One of the visions of the future is to build a completely transparent screen for laptops. This has been around the news for quite some time. Although it may appear ridiculous, its definitely a technology to reckon with.
Transparent laptop screen Best Transparent Creative Laptop Screen Desktop Amazing And Beautiful Design Destinations Of The World. More Related Fun to lift your spirits a bit unusual, creative and challenge your creativity have. Transparent-120 in Beautiful Examples of Transparent Screen Trick Photos Transparent Laptop Screen · Transparent-118 in Beautiful Examples.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Top Best Most Wanted Processor For Your Budget
8:07 AM
If you don't have the time to research the benchmarks, fear not. Tom's Hardware has come to your aid with a simple list of the best gaming CPUs offered at each and every pricepoint. This list is for gamers who want to get the most for their money. If you don't play games, then the CPUs on this list may not be suitable for your particular needs.
The criteria to get on this list are strictly price/performance. We acknowledge that there are other factors that come into play, such as platform price or CPU overclockability, but we're not going to complicate things by factoring in motherboard costs. We may add honorable mentions for outstanding products in the future, though. For now, our recommendations are based on stock clock speeds and performance at that price.
Cost and availability change on a daily basis. We can't offer up-to-the-minute accurate pricing information in the text, but we can list some good chips that you probably won't regret buying at the price ranges we suggest (and our PriceGrabber-based engine will help track down some of the best prices for you).
The list is based on some of the best US prices from online retailers. In other countries or at retail stores, your mileage will most certainly vary. Of course, these are retail CPU prices. We do not list used or OEM CPUs available at retail.
Best Gaming CPU: Under $110
Best Gaming CPU for ~$80:
Athlon II X3 450
The Athlon II X3 450 is the second-fastest triple-core Athlon II available, and it sports an ideal combination of three execution cores, a high clock rate, a low price, and respectable overclocking headroom. Despite the deceptively low buy-in, this processor delivers some serious gaming capability.
AMD's own Athlon II X4 635 will outperform the X3 in modern CPU-heavy game titles. But at a price point $20 cheaper, the Athlon II X3 450 remains a good low-budget option.
Best Gaming CPU for $100:
Athlon II X4 635
The Athlon II X4 lineup continues to evolve gracefully as its clock speed steadily increases over time. We've also seen the chip lineup's price drop. And, games are starting to take better advantage of multiple CPU cores. Moreover, as a general-purpose CPU (during the hours you don't spend gaming), the quad-core solution is going to be superior to dual- and triple-core competitors.
Now found as low as $100, this particular model is well within the grasp of budget-oriented gamers, and it represents a solid starting point for any value-based system, gaming or otherwise.
Honorable Mention:
Pentium Dual-Core E6800
The 3.33 GHz Pentium E6800 replaced the 3.2 GHz Pentium E6700 as the fastest budget dual-core available for the LGA 775 interface.
While the E6800 doesn't have any dormant cores that could be unlocked (like the Phenom II X2 555), it has a solid reputation for overclocking well, and it makes a good upgrade option for tweakers with older LGA 775-based systems who are not yet ready to put money into a new motherboard and CPU.
For folks considering a full upgrade, the Socket AM3 and LGA 1155 platforms are probably better choices. Of course, in order to get onboard with LGA 1155 at this price point, you'll have to go with the least expensive Core i3 available. That part isn't available yet, and when it is, it'll likely cost somewhere around $130. For folks looking to spend $100 or less on their processor, Socket AM3 is the only low-cost option we'd recommend for now.
Best Gaming CPU: $110-$200
Best Gaming CPU for $110-$130: None
Our upcoming roundup of twelve sub-$200 processors shows that there is currently little reason to go beyond an Athlon II X4 in this price range. But it also lets us know that Intel's Sandy Bridge-based Core i3-2300 and -2320 have the potential to bring impressive gaming performance down to the $130 price point. Previously, we had to pay $200 or more for equivalent speed.
For now the Phenom II X4 955 keeps its recommendation at $140. However, the Core i3-2300 will probably steal that nod away in the next month, so long as it becomes available for purchase.
Best Gaming CPU for $140:
Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition
A former flagship of AMD's Phenom II X4 family, the Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition was relegated to fourth-place status by the new Phenom II X4 975 BE model.
Despite its position in the pecking order, Phenom II X4 955 offers the best gaming value. It is a true quad-core processor with a sizable 6 MB L3 cache. But even more impressive at this price is its unlocked multiplier. From our experience, the great majority of Phenom II X4 955 processors can run just as fast as the Phenom II X4 975 with a simple BIOS multiplier change from 16x to 18x. That's an easy way to put this $140 processor on par with a stock ~$210 Core i5-760 when it comes to gaming.
The real competition for the Phenom II X4 955 BE is Intel's Sandy Bridge-based Core i3 lineup, arriving at retail as early as March. For now, we'll allow the 955 to keep its recommendation. But we're going to revisit this when the Core i3-2300 becomes available.
Best Gaming CPU for $195:
Core i5-2400
Sandy Bridge is here, and Intel's new microarchitechture is fast. Initial test data suggests that the new Core i5-2400 can stand toe to toe with Core i7-900-series processors when it comes to game performance. We're not talking about the entry-level models, either. This affordable processor has the chops to compete with Intel's thousand-dollar Extreme Edition chips when it comes to enabling the highest frames per second.
As great as the Core i5-700-series chips are, the new Core i5-2000 processors hit the afterburners and fly right by. Plus, the LGA 1156 interface is essentially dead, so it'd seem silly to sink any money into it at this point.
Best Gaming CPU: $200 And Up
Best Gaming CPU for $210: None
Honorable Mention:
Core i5-760
The Core i5-760 is displaced by Intel's new Core-i5-2500K (and its accompanying interface). But for folks who already own a Core i3 on an LGA 1156 platform, the Core i5-760 continues to offer tremendous value. Just like the Core i5-750, Intel's -760 delivers serious gaming performance at its default frequency. What's more, these CPUs are monsters when overclocked, and even challenge more expensive Core i7 models.
Best Gaming CPU for $225:
Core i5-2500K.
From a raw processing standpoint the Core i5-2500K offers very little over the cheaper Core i5-2400. It does hold three distinctions, however: it's clocked a few hundred MHz higher, it comes with Intel HD 3000 graphics, and it has an unlocked CPU multiplier.
The 200 MHz (300 MHz with Turbo Boost) advantage is almost insignificant, and gamers with discrete graphics cards will care little about the integrated graphics engine. But the unlocked CPU multiplier is a must for overclockers using any Sandy Bridge-based CPU. The Core i5-2500K is the obvious choice for gamers looking for the best combination of brute gaming force and tweakability.
Past the Point of Reason:
CPUs priced over $225 offer rapidly diminishing returns when it comes to game performance. As such, we have a hard time recommending anything more expensive than the Core i5-2500K, especially since this multiplier-unlocked processor can be overclocked to great effect if more performance is desired. Even at stock clocks, it meets or beats the $1000 Core i7-990X Extreme Edition when it comes to gaming.
Is there any reason for a gamer to go with a Core i7-900-series CPU/X58 motherboard combo, now that Sandy bridge has arrived? While the new Core i7-2000 series is faster than the Core i7-900-series from a processing standpoint, the platform can be a factor. The new LGA 1155 processors have an inherent limit of 16 PCIe lanes for graphics use (the same limit that LGA 1156 processors suffered), so if a gamer plans to use three or more graphics cards in CrossFire or SLI, we have to ask if Bloomfield/Gulftown and X58 offer the potential for more performance?
No! In theory, the current ultimate gaming platform (until Intel releases the LGA 2011 interface in the second half of this year) would be a P67 chipset paired with the NF200 bridge. Our experience with the LGA 1156 chipset paired with the NF200 bridge indicates that a P67/NF200 combo would allow us to use the fastest Sandy Bridge CPUs available in conjunction with three or four graphics cards without noticable graphics bandwidth trade-offs. In fact, we already have a story in the works that should prove this definitively.
To summarize, while we recommend against purchasing any gaming CPU that retails for more than $225 from a value point of view (sink that money into graphics and the motherboard instead), there are those of you who have no trouble throwing down serious money on the best of the best, and who require the fastest possible performance available. If this describes your processing goals, the following CPU is for you:
Best Gaming CPU for $330: (or for any price)
Core i7-2600K
Take the Core i5-2500, add 2 MB of L3 cache, Hyper-Threading, and a 100 MHz bump across the board. What do you have? The Core i7-2600K.
It doesn't sound like much of an improvement, and frankly it will make remarkably little difference when it comes to gaming. The $100 spread between the Core i5-2500K and Core i7-2600K is only recommended if you want to brag, because you're probably not going to notice any appreciable frame rate difference. The Core i7's strength is only really exploited in heavily-threaded workstation applications, rather than games.
But no list is complete without the best-of-the-best, and that's the Core i7-2600K. For $330 you can have a CPU that probably games faster than the $1050 hexa-core Core i7-990X Extreme.
Gaming CPU Hierarchy Chart
What about this other CPU that's not on the list? How do I know if it's a good deal or not?
This will happen. In fact, it's guaranteed to happen because availability and prices change quickly. So how do you know if that CPU you have your eye on is a good buy in its price range?
Here is a resource to help you judge if a CPU is a reasonable value or not: the gaming CPU hierarchy chart, which groups CPUs with similar overall gaming performance levels into tiers. The top tier contains the highest-performing gaming CPUs available and gaming performance decreases as you go down the tiers from there.
However, a word of caution: this hierarchy is based on the average performance each CPU achieved in our charts test suite using only four game titles: Crysis, Unreal Tournament 3, World in Conflict, and Supreme Commander. While we feel this represents an acceptable cross-section of typical gaming scenarios, a specific game title will likely perform differently. Some games, for example, will be severely graphics subsystem-limited, while others may react positively to more CPU cores, larger amounts of CPU cache, or even a specific architecture. We also did not have access to every CPU on the market, so some of the CPU performance estimates are based on the numbers similar architectures deliver. Indeed, this hierarchy chart is useful as a general guideline, but certainly not as a gospel one-size-fits-all perfect CPU comparison resource.
You can use this hierarchy to compare the pricing between two processors, to see which one is a better deal, and also to determine if an upgrade is worthwhile. I don't recommend upgrading your CPU unless the potential replacement is at least three tiers higher. Otherwise, the upgrade is somewhat parallel and you may not notice a worthwhile difference in game performance.
Summary
There you have it folks: the best gaming CPUs for the money this month. Now all that's left to do is to find and purchase them. Also remember that the stores don't follow this list. Things will change over the course of the month and you'll probably have to adapt your buying strategy to deal with fluctuating prices. Good luck!
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Top Best Most Expensive Desktop Computer
6:51 AM
Then again, if you can fork over the ¥80,000,000 for the platinum one, maybe you can score the gold one for a cool ¥60,000,000 ($561,540).
But really, diamond encrusted constellation and platinum cases? A computer for that money should probably come with a little something extra too. Like a steering wheel. . .
First of all, the title cheated, it's a server, but designed in a desktop layout. Our IT department recently received a new Dekstop server-Dell Poweredge 2900, for a department in the faculty. Since it is "the most expensive" desktop computer (It cost over $10K) I have encountered so far, therefore I better take a few pictures. I am so far quite impressed by Dell's Laptop quality but never knew they can build a high quality server box with such an efficient design. The Power Edge 2900 is one of the newest and most powerful desktop servers in the market today. A lockable panel in the front prevents access to the hard drives and a small on-box LCD panel with color variations provide quick summary of the server status. The Dell Poweredge 2900 has a similar height as a normal desktop and 1/3 longer than a regular desktop.
The desktop server provide amazingly flexible storage options: you can plug in up to 8 SAS or SATA hard drives in hot-swap carriers. An optional flex-bay can be inserted in the lower of the two spare 5.25in bays above, with its own backplane and interface.
Unfortunately, it is "too noisy" for anyone to hide it under the desk. Therefore, it still needs to go into a server room. But it certainly got the "Ferrari" look.
On a lark, I went out to the Apple Store and priced the most expensive G5 Dekstop on the planet. So what will $23,857.00 get you nowadays? Everything, and the kitchen sink from Apple buys you a 2.5Ghz Quad-core PowerPC G5 with 16GB of RAM, 1 TB of storage, Quadro FX 4500 graphics card with 512MB of memory, 16X dual-layer Superdrive, and two 30" Apple Cinema HD displays. Important to note: shipping on your new car Dekstop is free. Full specs after the jump.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
How To Build Your Own Gaming Computers
5:08 PM
In this site, you'll find articles on gaming PCs, news stories and comprehensive reviews on the best gaming computers that will help you make an informed. Build a custom gaming PC at Alienware. Alienware manufactures the world's best high-performance PC gaming laptop and desktop computers. Buy yours today.rom the list you'd think the best PC games have all come out since around 2002 or so, and before that there was just the odd title! Guide to building and upgrading your own custom gaming computers. On this site you will learn how to choose the best computer parts for your gaming needs, how to install and upgrade your system, and you can read product reviews of the best gaming pc components and accessories.
If you're just starting out then I would recommend checking out our introduction to building custom gaming computers.
Where to Buy Computer Hardware Online
If you're looking to buy your computer, laptop, or computer hardware online then I'm sure you may be skeptical about doing so. With TigerDirect.com
They are one of the most trusted names on the internet for buying computer hardware online. They ship only the best quality products to your front door in the shortest time possible, and their prices are simply unmatched anywhere else.
At their online store you will find every computer component you would ever need, complete ready-to-go desktop or laptop computers, all types of computer accessories and furniture, and much more. They stock a great range of the most trusted and best-selling brands in the world.
Take a look around their site and see for yourself. We can't recommend them any higher and they are our one-stop shop for our custom gaming computers. I can promise that you won't be disappointed.
Start Learning to Build a Gaming Computer
 | Introduction to Building Custom Gaming Computers An introduction on how to build your own custom gaming computers. There are many advantages to building your own. | |
 | How to Choose the Best CPU The latest information on buying the best CPU for your gaming system. Advice on Intel and AMD processors, understanding CPU speeds, and the future of CPUs. | |
 | How to Choose the Best Motherboard The motherboard is one of the most critical components in any computer system. This article helps you choose the right motherboard for your gaming computer. | |
 | How to Choose the Best Computer Memory Explains the different types of RAM, the benefits of RAM for your gaming computer, and how much RAM you need to play the latest games. | |
 | How to Choose the Best Hard Drive This article looks into the important factors you should consider when buying a hard drive for your gaming computers. | |
 | How to Choose the Best Gaming Video Card The video card is one of the most important components to gamers. Here we help you choose the best video card based on your needs as a gamer. | |
 | How to Choose the Best Gaming Monitor Information on the important factors to consider when buying the best gaming monitor. Includes a comparison of LCDs vs CRTs for gaming. | |
 | How to Choose Gaming Computer Cases Information on how to choose a good case for your computer. We also take a look into fancy gaming cases which are all the rage these days. | |
 | How to Choose Your Computer Power Supply Takes a look at why the power supply is a vital part of your computer, and helps you choose the right power supply for your needs. | |
 | How to Choose the Best Sound Card An article on the different factors you should consider when buying the best sound card for your gaming audio needs. | |
 | Buying the Best DVD Burner A CD/DVD burner is an important feature you should consider. This article looks at the important factors you need to know when buying a CD/DVD burner. | |
 | How to Choose the Best Gaming Keyboard Guide to buying the best gaming keyboard for your gaming input needs. Having a good gaming keyboard will allow you to play your games in style. | |
 | How to Choose the Best Gaming Mouse Explains what to look for in a good gaming mouse. Having a good mouse will improve your precision and control. | |
 | How to Choose the Best Computer Speakers Having a great sound system will greatly improve your gaming experience. Here we take a look at the important things to consider when buying your speaker system. | |
 | Computer Gaming Accessories Guide Helpful buying advice for all different types of PC accessories. Includes articles on choosing decent gaming headphones, computer desks, computer chairs, and more. | |
 | Gaming Laptop Computers Buying Guide Explains the different factors you should consider when buying an awesome laptop for gaming. | |
 | How To Build A PC: Installation Guides Learn how to install all of your components here with our step by step instructions. Also includes safety precautions so that you build your gaming machine safely. | |
 | Build A Quiet Computer: Cooling And Noise Reduction With this part of our site you can learn all about cooling your PC more effectively and reducing noise. If you're after a silent PC then the information here will be priceless. | |
 | Ethernet And Wireless Networking Guides Learn how to set up home networking for uses such as a Local Area Network (LAN) for multiplayer gaming or wireless networking for shared internet access. |
Latest Articles on Building a Gaming PC
Solid State Hard Drive Buyer's Guide NEW!
Solid state drives are fairly new on the scene, and here we explain what they are and the advantages they have over a normal hard drive.
World Of Warcraft Computer Buying Guide
World of Warcraft (WoW) is a very popular online role-playing game and many gamers look to build a custom PC specifically to play it. Find out what you need for a great WoW experience here.
Blu Ray Burner Buyer's Guide
The new Blu-ray format can hold huge amounts of data in a single disc and is pushing technology further. If you're looking to buy a Blu-ray drive then read this first.
What Is Computer Liquid Cooling
Liquid cooling is fairly new technology to cool down your PC, especially CPUs. Here we explain how it works, and the pros and cons of using it.
Choosing the Best CPU Cooler
Guide to selecting a decent aftermarket cooling system for your CPU. There are some important things to consider when choosing a good cooler.
External Video Cards Guide
A recently introduced new option in video card technology, especially for laptops, are external graphics cards. This article takes a look at the advantages of using an external card.
The Many Benefits of a Dual Monitor Video Card Setup
Whether it's for work or play, using a dual monitor setup has many different advantages. It's a big time saver and makes running multiple programs more efficient. Learn more about dual monitors here.
NVIDIA SLI and ATI CrossFire
A two-part article explaining the technology of NVIDIA SLI and ATI CrossFire, which both use the principle of combining multiple video cards for superior 3D gaming performance.
Gaming Computers For Sale: Where to Find Great Deals Online
Are you looking to buy a gaming PC or laptop? This article shows you where you can find great deals online.
Computer Overclocking: Getting The Most Out Of Your PC
An introduction to overclocking your computer to increase performance. Don't know what overclocking is exactly? Not sure if you wan't to overclock? Then this is for you.
Latest Product Reviews
Gaming Desktop Computer Builds For 2011 NEW!
Our top three custom gaming builds for the year 2011, you will find a build here to suit every type of budget. There is the budget gaming PC for those on a budget, the mid-range gaming rig for those with a little extra to spend, and the dream gaming machine for the ultimate in gaming.
Best Video Cards Of 2010
Looking to upgrade your video card? We reveal 3 of the best value, best performing video cards for gaming in the year 2010. With one of these beasts in your custom gaming PC you will be ready to tackle any game.
Alienware Review: Should You Buy Alienware Computers?
We share our thoughts on Alienware's range of high performance desktop and gaming laptops. Alienware provide some awesome custom rigs that can easily handle any PC game.
Cheap Computer Speakers
A quick review of the best value gaming speakers that you can buy online. With a quality speaker system as part of your setup, your gaming experience will be improved tenfold!
A Unique Computer Mouse: The Logitech MX Revolution
Takes a look at the most advanced mouse in the world. If you want the very best mouse out there, look no further than the Logitech MX Revolution Cordless Laser Mouse.
