AMD is releasing a trio of dual-core desktop processors based on the K10 architecture, under the Athlon X2 7000 series. The trio consists of the overclocker-friendly 7750 Black Edition clocked at 2.70 GHz, the 7550 at 2.50 GHz and the 7450 at 2.40 GHz. The core, codenamed "Kuma" sports a basic cache design similar to the Phenom X3 and Phenom X4 processors, with 512 KB of L2 caches per core, and a shared L3 cache of 2 MB. The updated memory controller provides native support to the PC2-8500 (DDR2 1066 MHz) memory standard. The processor now sports a HyperTransport 3.0 3600 MT/s system interface. These, apart from the other tweaks AMD introduced with the K10 architecture give it an edge over current K8 based dual core AMD chips. The core is manufactured in the 65nm node.

AMD lifted the NDA over the Athlon X2 7000 series, following which several website posted reviews on the processors. Most of these reviews covered the Athlon X2 7750 Black Edition. The chip clocked at 2.7 GHz was found to be around 15% faster than a previous-generation Brisbane chip running at the same frequency, according to X-bit Labs, whose evaluation included several synthetic and real-world benchmarks. The same review team was able to overclock the chip to 3.30 GHz (+22 %) aided by a Zalman 9700 air cooler. The Athlon X2 7750 Black Edition will be priced at US $79. Links to some of the reviews are provided below.

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(Photo: DoubleTree Hotel Chicago Magnificent Mile)


Here's something to look forward to in 2009: Market House.

Executive Chef Scott Walton, the former chef at the Sheraton and Magnum's Steakhouse as well as the head of his own catering biz, is excited about this new farm-centric concept going into the ground floor of the new DoubleTree Hotel in Streeterville.

We're especially excited about the menu, of course, which is following the trend of offering diners market-fresh dishes made with organic and sustainable veggies, meat and seafood. We got a taste of what to expect when Market House debuts in mid-February (they're shooting to open by Valentine's Day!), as Walton trotted out his twists on small plates, offering wild boar corndogs (wild boar sausage in blue cornmeal dipped in whole-grain mustard), toasted cauliflower hummus on herbed flatbread, and jumbo prawns accompanied by Bloody Mary sauce and avocado and horseradish cream.

Also new: Opened just yesterday is the yet-unnamed hotel lobby bar that's done up in chrome with a centrally placed fireplace behind the bar. Of course, Walton's had a hand in this project as well, particularly in the new handcrafted vodkas in seasonal flavors like candy cane, tangerine, citrus and vanilla bean. If you cannot make up your mind, just order them all in an infused vodka flight, served chilled, for $20.

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Virginia is for tax hikes.  In Tim Kaines Virginia, you can be assured that change will be sucked out of your pockets by the tax-uum (tax vacuum).   With our state experiencing a $3 billion deficit, a tax hike is no doubt in the back of Tim Kaines mind to raise taxes as a means to compensate for Virginias shortfall.
Of course, Kaine has ensured he would implement $358 million in annual spending reductions.  Aside from the spending restrictions, Kaine has decided to slash jobs, enact a hiring freeze, and even reduced his own salary.  Although he mentions that he will keep the budget balanced without a tax increase, this is just a false assurance, as Kaine will most likely be forced to make a tax increase somewhere along the line.   That being said, Kaine should be applauded for at least addressing the issue by making cuts within his own office before pondering tax increases immediately.
Although there are cuts within the Governors office, there will be cuts in other areas.  Education funding will be slashed, as higher education will suffer with a 15% reduction.   As attending a four-year college or university is expensive (trust me, I can attest as I am paying an exorbitant amount every month in student loans), more students will be facing higher tuition rates.
As for health care, Kaine will be raising the cigarette tax.   This is the first in the pending tax hikes that Virginia will be facing.  Raising taxes is wrong and is not a common sense solution.  As a non-smoker, I still feel raising the cigarette tax will do more harm than good.  Medicaid reductions will also be limited due to a possible demand in obtaining these services.
Lastly, transportation was mentioned.  VDOTs services will be streamlined and there will be layoffs within VDOT.  Kaine mentioned Obamas dedication to work on improving the transportation infrastructure.
As someone who is against any (and every) tax hike, I have a feeling Kaine wanted to water down his budget talk to avoid addressing an issue that would enrage Virginians.  Tax hikes do not solve the problems we face, and in fact, they will cause more harm than good in our fledgling economy.  We are in an economic recession and jobs are being cut all over the place.   The General Assembly session will no doubt be interesting to watch in 2009.
**Here is the link to the Governors web site.

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