CES news was fairly dead this year with nothing really popping out of the ether to grab at the attention.  Still, there were a few neat items showing up in this years coverage.

One of them has to be the nVidia ION.  Not so much as a spectacle of high-cost, high-end computing, but as a reference design for a PC-as-Console.  Pairing the nVidia 9400M core logic chipset and video with an Intel ATOM processor running at 1.6Ghz seems to be a good idea.

Check out more on this new platform (including a bit of video) over at Hot Hardware.

AMD has had a rocky start with their Phenom X4 line of CPUs.  Entering the market a year ago with tepid performance and a initial TLB bug in the first release silicon the chips seemed to be faited for mediocrity.

But with a changing market dynamic and a decided downward slant on spending a lower cost/performance ratio might be just what some customers are looking for.  Add in the fact that quad core is currently a real concern for massively parallel applications, of which there are still few in the retail sector, and a lower cost option becomes more attractive.

Featuring a 45nm core and boasting solid performance against the Intel Core i7 940 in the benchmarks might just be enough to get this new AMD CPU off the ground.  Check the full review (translated to English) at Technic3D.

Everyone and their younger cousin has reviewed the nVidia GTX 295 video card it seems.  We've got reviews on the latest, greatest nCard from Tweak Town, Hot Hardware, Overclockers Club, NeoSeeker, and Technic3D.

You might be asking yourself "what does it cost" and "performance specs?".  In order, that's "around 500$(USD)" and 1792MB of GDDR3 memory along with it being ostensibly the fastest video card to market

Hiper is out with a new model of 80PLUS power supply today.  Toting an 80Plus certification means it's at least bench tested to be power friendly by the 80plus.org group, but what else does it have to offer?

Reportedly, four independent12v rails, PCI-E 8pin suppor, and a modular power system.  So it's probably worth a look.  Expect the usual suspects to be reviewing the unit soon, for now click on "Read More" for the press release.

First, let me note that if you're pulling 1200W to power your computer, check your home power lines.  Most home power lines (US Stateside) are shared between multiple outlets with a 12/14 gauge wire and can handle about 15 Amps.  That's a draw of about 1500 or so Watts at 110v.  So if you're going to be bumping 1200W down the line.. make sure your line can handle it.

Which gets us to a review of the In Win Commander 1200W PSU!  If you need an absolute glut of power, this unit might be able to push it out.  It even came out looking fairly good through the test gammut.  Check the review at the Overclockers Club.

TweakTown got out on the floor at the CES 2009 trade show today and came back with a few early pictures.  Included among them are both still shots and video of the nVidia ION (an Intel ATOM processor based SFF platform), nVidia's PhysX booth, and a complete driving sim dubbed the APEX sc830 from Simcraft