AMD’s Phenom has arrived to replace the Athlon 64 core. This is a new platform, codenamed "Spide." which combines AMD Phenom quad-core processors, ATI Radeon HD 3800 series graphics, and AMD 7-series chipsets with CrossFireX and AMD OverDrive software for what AMD calls the "Ultimate visual Experience."

Reviews are so-so.
PC Persepctive
Hot Hardware

Let’s face it: if you could get everything you need in a notebook, then the desktop computer becomes–as it should–obsolete. Eurocom has come pretty darn close, I think, with the DC900C Phantom-X, which sports some crazy specifications. Let’s just list them out, shall we?

• Intel Quad-core processors
• Up to 750GB HDD space
• Up to 4GB of RAM
• Blu-Ray optical drive
• nVidia GPU options, both singular or dual SLI
• All the ports one would expect
• Both optical and analog audio in and out
• All meaningful wireless options (except 802.11n, oddly)
• Optional TV tuner

The video can be upgraded, as well. Perhaps the only drawback for those looking for a true desktop replacement is the 17" widescreen. And for those wondering, pricing starts at $2,999 for the base model. So start saving those pennies.

No, the laptop industry hasn’t bypassed the idea of quad-core laptops in favor of octo-core machines, since NextComputing’s 8-core flextops are machines you wouldn’t want anywhere near your lap. Based as they are around the Intel Xeon 5300 processor, the NextDimension Pro and Evo can take advantage of the relatively low power requirements of 100W for two quad-core CPUs (down from 160 Watts for its power hungrier desktop equivalent). For a sense of just how expandable the NextDimension machines are, consider that they can hold up to twelve 160GB 2.5-inch 7200RPM hard disk drives. They also manage to pack in four PCI / PCI-e slots in the Evo model, and Firewire, Gigabit Ethernet, and support for 24GB of memory through four DMA channels on both models. These 20-pound desktop machines with a handle will be shown off at Interop Las Vegas later this month, but beyond that we’re not sure when or for how much you’ll be able to lug one away.