SandForce-driven SSDs continue to be the hot ticket for solid state technology into 2011, offering outstanding bandwidth speed and operational performance at an affordable price. SandForce RAISE technology provides redundant protection for single SSD computer systems, while data is automatically secured with AES-128 encryption. SandForce's SF-1200 storage controller has already found its way into many of the fastest SSDs available, paving the way for Mushkin to utilizes the SandForce SF-1222TA3-SBH processor in their Callisto Deluxe MLC SSD series. In this article, Benchmark Reviews tests the 60GB Mushkin Callisto Deluxe MKNSSDCL60GB-DX against some of the most popular storage devices available. Our benchmark tests will demonstrate that 4K IOPS performance is more important than speed for high-power computer users.

MacWorld Expo, the annual gathering of the Apple faithful, has been a regular event since the first San Francisco show in January, 1985. As a Mac programmer, I attended that show, and every one since then up through the early 2000s. After I transitioned to Java and Web development, the computer I used became less important, and the 2003 show was the last I attended until this year. The 27th annual MacWorld Expo was dramatically different from what I remembered.

My entertainment room doesn't have a lot of table space, so I try to limit the number of remote controls and media center keyboards used to managed the home theater. My Sony PlayStation 3 has a remote for when I play Blu-ray discs, and the HTPC uses a media center keyboard. While each of these peripherals serves its own purpose, I've always thought it would be nice to have something that combined them into one small device. As if someone knew exactly what I wanted, the VisionTek CandyBoard 900335 Bluetooth mini keyboard materialized into what might possibly be the perfect solution. In this article, Benchmark Reviews tests this Bluetooth mini-keyboard for range and performance on both PC and PS3 systems.

Intel's processor development follows a regular "tick-tock" cycle. The "tick" is the refinement of an existing architecture; the "tock" is a new architecture. Proceeding at a roughly yearly pace, the "tick-tock" model brought us the 45nm Nehalem architecture processors (the original Core-i3, -i5, and -i7 CPUs) as a "tock", and the subsequent 32nm Westmere processors as the "tick" part of the cycle. Now, Intel introduces their new Sandy Bridge architecture as the latest "tock", and Benchmark Reviews checks out the new Sandy Bridge-based Core i7-2600K. This unlocked, 3.4GHz, Hyper-Threading, quad-core CPU is the top of the Sandy Bridge line, and we'll see how it performs against the best AMD processors and Intel's own as well.

To start off the new year right, AMD is filling in some more of their Phenom-II lineup. Two AMD CPUs set for release in early January 2011 are the Phenom-II X4-840 and the Phenom-II X4-975BE. The Phenom-II X4-975BE HDZ975FBGMBOX will become AMDs newest flagship quad-core processor. The Thuban based 6-core processors have taken AMD's top spot away from the Phenom-II X4 Deneb based series, but the quad-cores still pack a lot of performance and come at a price that is much less expensive than the Intel alternative. The Phenom-II X4-975BE comes set for release at an MSRP of $195 and at a screaming 3.6Ghz clock speed. In this article, Benchmark Reviews is putting the Phenom-II X4-975BE through its paces. It's really going to have to perform well to compete with the new Sandy Bridge platform coming out at the same time.

The gaming peripheral market is rife with interesting innovations, some more of a gimmick than useful but still very nice to look at. Today, Benchmark Reviews brings you the Thermaltake Challenger Pro Gaming Keyboard P/N KB-CHP001US. The Challenger Pro has some interesting features worthy of notice but also has a few gimmicks to spruce it up a bit and attract more attention. The LED backlights not only light up the keys but they also light between the keys for a nice effect, the WASD and arrow keys have red replacements and there are also two blanking keys to replace the windows keys, should you choose to use them. There are two USB 2.0 ports in the back to facilitate extra devices and there are also two special points at the top of the keyboard to mount a small hand cooling fan. There are six media keys present and 64KB of onboard memory allows you to store up to 40 macro functions via four profiles on ten macro buttons. If this is the sort of keyboard that appeals to you then read on to find out more.

Zalman is no stranger to what PC enthusiasts want in a product. The Z9 Plus computer case aims to please with attractive features at an attractive price. Zalman has included such features as a 2 channel fan controller and temperature display built into the 4 USB front I/O panel. The Z9 Plus supports up to 7 system fans, as well as up to 290mm video cards for your convenience. Will this newest Mid-Tower ATX Case, the Z9 Plus live up to the Zalman name of performance and quality? Benchmark Reviews is pleased to have one of the first looks at this new chassis.

Lian Li is a maker of super high quality aluminium PC chassis, for most these are considered too expensive for a gaming PC. Well Lian Li also make PC cases made of steel and plastic to the same high standards and also share their innovations and patents, but market them under the name Lancool. Recently Lancool launched three new cases in the First Knight series aimed at the gaming market and Benchmark Reviews has the Lancool First Knight PC-K63 computer chassis on hand for testing. The PC-K63 is entirely tool free and has a fully painted black interior, the motherboard standoffs come pre installed and thumbscrews are used where there is no tool free mechanism. Patented tool free solutions are; tool free PSU clamp, tool free HDD/SSD rubber mounting grommets and an excellent HDD/SSD mounting cage, tool free ODD latch mechanism and finally tool free PCI backplane clamps. The Lancool First Knight PC-K63 case has a massive transparent window and very bright LED fans that light up the inside while they cool your components. In the back is a very good cable routing solution that will help advanced and novice PC builders alike to easily route cables out of sight.