The Fiery Source » hardware

How to Make Your Own Backlit Keyboard

Bob — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 00:26:55 +0000

In the past we have discussed how to light up your keyboard for typing in the dark, but Tinkernut Tech Blog is going to show us how to make an awesome backlit keyboard using electro luminescent wire. This cool method will work with just about any keyboard, it’s suggested you use a keyboard that has a built-in USB port, this way you can plug the el-wire’s inside.

The instructions are fairly simple and straight forward, although you will have to disassemble your keyboard. Seriously, you will have to remove each key from the board, but just make sure you remember the the order of the keys when it’s time to assemble, or take a snap shot of the keyboard will work. Check out the video above for step by step block of instructions.

How to Make a Backlit Keyboard [Tinkernut]

Cost of Ownership: Motorola Droid vs iPhone 3GS vs Palm Pre vs MyTouch 3G

Bob — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 08:37:58 +0000

Billshrink has put together a very nice comparison chart of four touchable smartphones. It’s a Droid vs. iPhone 3Gs vs. Pre vs. MyTouch 3G Comparison Chart. Check it out!

The Motorola Droid is one of the most popular pre-sale phones we have seen in a while, certainly one of the most discussed new non-Apple smartphones to come out in some time.

The Droid will launche on November 6th with Verizon, but you can pre-order the smartphone from Best Buy. Here at Fiery Source we did a review on this remarkable phone, and you can read it here.

Is it worth the switch if you already own one of the cell phones in the chart?

Looking at the Droid, iPhone, Palm Pre, and MyTouch 3G, it appears the iPhone and Droid have a great deal in common. The Droid isn’t lacking much at all other than 100, 000 apps from the application store in comparison to the iPhone. If we know Verizon you can bet you will be hearing about this and how well their network is as compared to AT&T.

Looking a little closer at this chart, the iPhone and the Droid seem to have the about same dollar figure for ownership cost over a twenty four month period, while the Pre and MyTouch are cheaper, thats probably from all the celebrities buying the MyTouch thus making it more affordable, lol. Nah, we all know T-Mobile is cheaper!

My biggest problem with this chart is where’s the Blackberry?

Click once to reduce and twice to ENLARGE Chart

ARCTIC RC PRO-Thermodynamic RAM Cooler for Overclockers

Bob — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 02:06:26 +0000

RAM cooling is crucial for maintaining high clock rates as well as to avoid any damages caused by overheat. In order to offer an efficient tool to lower RAM temperature, the Swiss IT cooling solution provider ARCTIC COOLING today launched the new ARCTIC RC PRO, an advanced RAM cooler designed for DDR2 and DDR3 SDRAM modules.

Following the design concept of the award-winning ARCTIC RC, this Pro version also features long aluminium fins as well as highly conductive thermal pads. The fins are extended to 5cm which lead to a significant increase in heat transfer area and optimized natural convection.

The pre-applied thermal pads efficiently draw heat out from the RAM to the fins. The ARCTIC RC PRO is securely assembled by 3 screws. By giving high pressure to the two heatsinks, thermal pads will firmly lay on the modules for best heat dissipation.

While a generic heat spreader has only limited cooling effect on the RAM, the ARCTIC RC PRO powerfully lowers the temperature by 50%*. Such unparalleled temperature reduction extends the RAM service life and boosts overclocking to a new level.

Installation is easy and can be done in just two minutes. The packaging is precisely designed for positioning the RAM accurately on the ARCTIC RC PRO. After fastening 3 screws, users can start enjoying the improved RAM performance brought by this revolutionary cooler. The ARCTIC RC PRO is compatible with single or double sided DDR2 and DDR3 SDRAM modules. It is also compatible with the RC Turbo Module – an add-on cooler with two 60mm fans for those who are looking for extreme RAM overclocking.

One package contains a pair of ARCTIC RC PRO. This product is available in November 2009. The MSRP is US$ 9.95 and 6.95€ (excl. VAT).

Specifications

* Heatsink   126 (L) x 76 (H) mm
* Thickness 1.5mm
* Material   Aluminium
* Weight   74g

Thermaltake Launches Element V, Full-Tower Case with Optimized Cooling

Bob — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 01:44:48 +0000

Thermaltake, leading DIY chassis brand, launches the newest full-tower PC case for demanding gamers and power-users. The Element V offers optimized airflow characteristics with 5 preinstalled heavy-duty fans, while leaving room for another 3 upgrade fans.

Two 120 mm front mounted fans are blowing outside air directly through and over the drive bays with an additional oversized 230 cm ColorShift fan at the side panel taking in a vast amount of outside air and distributing it over graphics cards and CPU. Two exhaust fans in the upper area remove uprising hot air; one 120 mm rear side TurboFan and one big size ColorShift fan in the top panel. No matter how much peripherals you throw at this case, you can always rest assured they won’t ever be an air-congestion. You will rather stay cool and calm.

For users you like a vivid look and enjoy giving their case a character of it’s own, the three ColorShift fan provide you with 6 color option that can static or in motion. Adjustment of the three ColorShift fans’ color scheme and fan speed are conveniently done by a dual-function know on the top front side.

Dimensions of 532 (H) x 220 (W) x 537 (D) cm provide for plenty of room for high-end and power setups. The Element V can house a whooping 12 drive bays of which five are 5.25″, six for 3.5″ and one for 2.5″ devices. High peripheral connectivity is warranted through the implementation of four USB 2.0, one eSATA and HD connectors at the very front of the top panel.

Built for ATX, EATX and MicroATX motherboards the Element V full-tower places standard PS2 power supplies conveniently on the bottom of the case. For more advanced cooling demands or overclocking enthusiasts punch-out holes for water cooling are reserved in the rear panel. And for those who have to frequently cool down their thirst, special holes at the left panel give you the option to install a water bottle cage.

The Element V full-tower chassis will be available at a suggested retail price of US$ 169.

The Fiery Source » hardware

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