Another year goes by from the QuakeCon 2006 date and Directron.com is ready for another trip to the LAN party Mecca - QuakeCon 2007, Dallas, Texas. This year Directron.com has teamed with D-Link to appear under AxionTech.com name, a Directron company. We bring salutations to the attending gamers and also showing off our new to be distributed product, a NoiseLimit cooling solution.

  Directron goes to QuakeCon 2007 teamed with D-Link who is a sponsor of the event

  First, when you arrive you see this huge line of people which is never-ending for two days straight

  While making our way to the sponsor desk we have witnessed diverse hardware

  The gamers were in good spirits and the long line was a great place to socialize

  It has taken me by surprise that at least 5% of all gamers brought a CRT with them

  While some road warriors have brought their own carts, others where carrying or using hotel provided carts

  Seems like CRTs are still live and kicking, yet are very inconvenient to carry

  Those with LCDs had much lighter load

  The age spread was from 50s to 6 year olds, average would be around 18 years of age

  To shorten the time, QuakeCon employees where throwing QuakeCon branded shirts into the crowd

  Here is an example of some information boards

  Read the green sheet below, says that you can't say no to a camera once you enter QuakeCon

  While this sign condemns any glass containers, one vendor did make a mistake by bring glass energy drinks and giving them out as freebies

  The night before QuakeCon it was chaotic, only vendors were allowed to setup their equipment

  Notice the official rules of the floor. I have seen a huge box with different cables that people have given up

  Here the volunteers would make a list of your electronic possessions so they can be attributed to your ownership

  This very step takes a lot of time and keeps the line from moving on

  During the second night the line became smaller but new participants were still coming in

  We can't say anything about lack of air, it was plenty cool and fresh through out the event

  Everything comes to an end, even the colossal lines

  We were there to witness "The Last Of The Mohicans"

  While the tedious wait, classic arcade was available to gourmands

  The lack of 3D graphics did not make it any less attractive

  Who can resist to experience childhood all over again? We could not!

  In BYOC area each table had a surge protector and 2 network drops. Don't worry, they will lower the lights during the event and and unattractive tables will blur away

  This is when the setup was not permitted, people just left their computers till the next morning

  I have never seen such a big BYOC, it was unequivocally historic

  While setting up our booth we had time to browse vendors booths before the event

  Dells booth was our neighborer and it was breathtaking

  This custom painted case unfortunately could have been only properly admired with lights on

  Here is another side, we offer pictures of its insides too later on

  Dell was heavily advertising AlienWare during the event, you can see here AlienWare notebooks that will be used in series of completions

  Nice portable machines, yet we have seen only a few similar in BYOC area

  Brought by Philips the 'ambient experiences'

  A Logitech booth

  Here we find their new mouse, there is also above there is a different cover that would mod the mouse into a different grip

  Main stage of the event, two tables for some dudes to duke it out later on

  Audience tables which I believe will be removed in favor of more chairs

  Let us see what the real sportsmen professionals use

  The total tournament area is filled with PCs

  Nice looking with unmistakable Intel logo

  Here is a picture of the typical setup

  Unfortunately, we couldn't get any specs

  We decided not to proceed...

  ...And took pictures well beyond the reach of the scary sign

  For some reason this was found to be funny and was decided to be recorded for the benefit of further generations

  And presenting the major sponsor of the event... nVidia

  nVidia will do a few entertaining marketing campaigns mostly centered on "SLI"

  Another interesting sign, we took this picture just because of the characters

  And this is our booth, AxionTech.com is a Directron company and is moving to Dallas, on the right you can see D-Link's gaming brand: GamerLounge

  And shows starts with ecstatics people hungry for giveaways

  This is the tournament area that we have visited previously

  Don't make any noise, clans are working up the ladder

  You can almost smell adrenaline in the air

  While some win and some loose, $24K check will have only one owner

  The DELL booth and 10's of screens with different games

  Some folks participating in a booth tournament for prizes against professional gamers

  Rainbow 6 Vegas was a nice toy

  Even the youngest participated, in our booth there was a kid about 8-9 years of age, he was playing Painkiller game, smashing monsters, killing left and right while his mother watched. When he quit after 15 minutes of slashing enemies, his face was all red and the eyes were full of rage. It was somewhat unsettling to see such a grimace on a child.

  Ha. Here is the insides of the computer that is seen on the picture above.

  Multiple SATA hard drives, maybe even Raptors

  Special cooling for CPU that is freezing the core

  Two video cards that probably consume most of the available power

  Someone decided to quit the game and take a look at Vista

  The booth competition was set up as walk-in players against professional ones, such as "FragDolls" clan. As far as we understood, it was a break-away clan from PMS clan that is advertised in Patriot booth a few pictures below.

  The booth competition was set up as walk-in players against professional ones, such as "FragDolls" clan. As far as we understood, it was a break-away clan from PMS clan that is advertised in Patriot booth a few pictures below.

  Here are the FragDolls taking pictures with winners of the booth competition

  Here is a pair of FragDolls girls that were kind enough to pose for a camera

  On the opposite side of Dell booth AlienWare has teamed with Sierra to bring you the new game "World in Conflict"

  AlienWare cases were everywhere...

  ...were complimented by DELL monitors and Logitech input devices

  The staff was cleverly dressed in what appeared to be Soviet mock jackets with CCCP letters in front

  We have not tested the game but the machines themselves were sure glossy

  The tech demo for the game itself surely looked promising and life like

  Some of the police officers at the event have enjoyed the free gift as much as attendees

  Free t-shirts and posters is a potent attractive force

  The tech demo is run on plasmas and registration is done on AlienWare laptops

  World domination is in the hands of a few

  Alien eggs are about to hatch

  Notice the table cover...

  One poster is good but two is better

  A 3D monitor, unfortunately the effect can only be seen through polarized glasses and it is not as smooth. We have been impressed more by LG technology at CES where 3D effect was much better and no glasses were required.

  Here you could take a 3D monitor for a spin

  The PCs on the table were more impressive, however

  Another tournament in session...

  OK, Phillips came with their own technology

  Ambient Experiences is how they call it

  What I could gather is that special lights were changing color based on the degree of action to rhythm with the released adrenaline level

  Here you can see the lights better, they are pulsing with different colors

  But they did have the best t-shirts all around and they were given out through out the even

  Here is MSI booth with specific items to be marketed to gamers

  Very nicely designed see-through box

  A little close up reveals a rather tight package, I would wrap the power cables, though

  If the dazzling computer was not convincing enough, these extra short shorts should do the trick

  The Logitech booth, he we had a chance to check the latest gamer mouse and we left with mixed feelings

  However, this device from a European company was exciting. It is a 3D "mouse" that has a force response based on the texture and gravity. You can virtually feel the wall and different textures respond to touch based on how their surface looks.

  You can move, throw objects and feel the weight of the object and the abrupt lightness after you threw one. We were told such a device is easy to implement to existing game engines on programming level, but the device is $200 a pop.

  The interview spot...

  This company was marketing their headphones, the funny thing was that ancient CRT that a vendor had to use in the emergency case when they did not have an extra one

  Here is EA with their new cell phone game and their attempt to hype it

  Girls did their best to interest "first person shooter" folk to play "magic-adventure" type of a game

  This crowd is in line to play Left4Dead

  Even new Quake game did not draw such a crowd

  The Guitar Hero competition corner

  Left4Dead with more monitors than any other booth

  Here is a curious device...

  Allows to use RAM as a virtual super fast drive, it is powered even when the computer is off

  However, the price is of the device + RAM would cost some and then some

  A memory vendor with different kinds of products from RAM to flash

  Here are our friends from FSP Group

  They had a very popular blue balloon giveaway with a bell inside, seen on the picture

  We asked their marketing person to pose for pictures

  GameRail offers their paid subscription to performance servers

  The nVidia booth. They had a very interesting marketing gig where they would give out among other things free badges. Each two badges would bear the same serial number printed up front. The name of the game was to find another person with a same number and come to the booth where you could spin the wheel of chance for free stuff including 8800 video card.

  On the other side of the booth you could find branded nVidia clothes store.

  Here are portrayed exemplary nVidia fans

  Here is a cool CoolerMaster case with custom paint job

  In out own booth we have a same version of a case but different pattern and a window instead of a mesh on the side

  Very happy looking watercooling case, all in one

  Nice and clean inside

  Another cool case from the nVidia booth

  Simple but up to the point deadly

  Nothing special up front...

  ...but on the back you can find all-in-one watercooling solution

  nVidia booth also had some kiosks where potential customers could try out nVidia hardware

  SLI configuration was marketed but only EVGA was presented out of all nVidia partners

  A lot of shirts, badges, and hardware was given away

  BGears booth with cases, fans, and input devices

  This keyboard is key-less, totally. Plus, it is wireless and is also solar, that is it has solar recharge capabilities. It is not a gamers' board since one cannot feel the keys. However, for home entertainment setup it looks very stylish.

  BGears also had some presentable mice

  New type of a cube case (one on top of the other)

  More friends was found at the InWin booth

  InWin is known for cases

  Patriot memory vendor and Antec case manufacturer

  More gaming girls and our vendor

  This is the same case the author has at home, Antec 900, probably the best case there is

  If you are hungry, you could get some food from the only food court available for miles. And it was not cheap.

  Some traffic here and there

  Some onlookers at the Dell booth

  A general idea how crowded the floor has been

  A tournament is about to get underway!

  Some more giveaways drive crowd to the stage

  The stage close up with $10,000 check in view

  Someone is diving for more t-shirts

  The most lit is the sign behind that has QuakeCon logo

  End of the day, the view from nVidia booth

  At some point the lights on the stage did not work and announcers had to work mostly in the dark. In combination with very well lit QuakeCon sign, the announcers seemed like shadows.

  The Dallas police at work

  Near the stage was an area from where the event was televised to the whole Internet

  The ID Software booth

  Lucky gamers had a chance to test drive Alpha version

  Some even more fortunate attendees were even given game copies to take home of this early release

  The delivery of the game was quite breathtaking, imagine gaming on 50" monitor...

  ID Software gave people a chance to expand the beauty of the game and allow to see each little detail on these gigantic monitors

  Just watching the game gives you a warm fuzzy feeling that keeps you from leaving that booth

  While some have experience this game for the first time in their life, some clans already had their copy a long time ago

  Notice again the Logitech provided keyboards and mice

  Several clans have have to this event to frag each other in already in the Enemy Territory game before the game going gold

  You may ask, what has a first person shooter has to do with NASA? We had the same question.

  As it happens, ID Software founder does not only have interests in virtual games but in finer things too. After accumulating rather a big fortune, he has turned into sponsoring programs like this space research private company. What do these things do? They are able to hover above the land with ability to land safely by using thrust (instead of a parachute). We were told that something like this on the picture may cost only 900 dollars if mass produced (we assume without fuel). Moreover, 64 fused together devices like on the above picture can take theoretically a load to the orbit, which is a pretty cheap way to get there.

  Now, let us move to the Bring Your Own Computer area to take at best computers and the worst computers

  The BYOC area is massive and 95% of it was taken by the attendees

  In the dark only monitors are seen and a lot of people had problems seeing their keyboard, thus, next time when you go to a dark BYOC area think of bringing a glow in the dark keyboard.

  Some areas were lit a bit due to their proximity to emergency exits.

  Some emergency exit doors had some significant air flow in between that caused heat to enter those immediate areas.

  There, lit in between, is a control booth and a networking control center

  On the walls projectors would scroll the current agenda for the day

  While some users were sitting at their places, some were away leaving all their belongings behind

  Since the monitors are the most noticeable in the dark, the first what meets the eye is different sizes. You could see from 15" up to 50" monitors, 4:3 and widescreens, CRTs and LCDs

  While some computers were pretty ordinary, some were really trashy and others work of art, we will try to present here both. It is important to note that there were almost no cases dedicated to LAN events, those that are compact and with carry handle. We seen only a few of these. Most computer cases were middle of the road and maybe 10% were of elite brands. We were surprised to find a lot of junk computers, through we are not really sure if it was specifically for a purpose to win the "worst computer" award held at the event

  A very nice clear case model. The case seems very new because it has no scratches at all which appear rather fast on similar cases.

  Somewhat nice clean case with a general set up that you may find all around

  This is a great joke of a case, seems like the owner has a sense of humor. Since next to the computer you can see a big screen monitor, we assume the owner of this case is not stricken by poverty.

  This is a nice $5 Walmart DIY case. Some noted that the holes could have been more accurately done.

  This case has no ground to the components and it more prone to static and over voltage damage.

  What a nice station, they probably have a great ventilation inside.

  Some clan here has brought huge monitors to complement their skills

  Who were these guys, we didn't ask

  If watecooling is your hobby, you would know the beauty when you see one

  Thick tubing must pump a lot of heat away

   AMD 4x4 system was found and we took a picture of this rare beast

  Someone was not afraid to airbrush to a desert pattern and make it of a military issue kind

  Smoky windows give a defused glow look but a flash killed it

  Here is a computer. The owner claims to have 16 hard drives inside. We counted 3 external ones in addition on top. Wow.

  We not really sure what requires so much space but we were assured that the owner stores his hi-res pictures there which he obtains through his profession

  Well, that dude sure knows something about storage!

  This is a bit busy case but it was still unique enough to take a picture

  One might say that it is a regular, over the counter case

  However, it is very expensive and only some have it

  This very user was the only one whom we have found with such a case

  Another case with smoky windows. Are we missing out on a trend?

  We have seen at least 3 of these cases, they were magnificent, nevertheless

  One a very unique case

  It looks so nice that we are unsure if this is a mod or a store bought (it has been confirmed that it is a mod - a great one)

  We liked what we have seen, very clean design and nice color theme

  Another watercooling fan, seems the same case as AMD 4x4 somewhere above

  The colors, the colors!

  A very sharp looking case

  Widescreen CRTs, the last of their kind, probably a very heavy item, thus if have been brought it shows how loved it is

  Well, this case has everything but style

  The owner has requested for his wallpaper to be taken picture of, it happens that the owner has found this curious warning in some adult video.

  Is it a G5 spotted at a PC LAN party?

  This has to be CaseArts case from our website: Click here to see the item

  Gaming can be tiresome or watching Mythbusters, or both...

  We are not sure what has happened here but the faceplate seems to be optional

  Some have come to enjoy the show in style

  While $131 rooms a night some might find expensive, they have come prepared (even against the rules of BYOC)

  We counted 3 pillows. What do you think will happen, a pillow fight?

  Another high-tech CRT where owner would take it over LCD technology

  We are unsure what is going on here but it surely brings attention, therefore a picture

  This person was in possession of a pirate flag that he proudly raised in BYOC waters

  At least 5% of all users were gaming on a laptop! Through out the years laptops lagged behind full blown systems. Nowadays laptops can be as powerful, bringing full experience of a game to a mobile version of a computer

  And some had all the right accessories

  Look at this cool notebook stand

  A case like this just proves that a mod can be simple and cheap. Plus, you can't go wrong with too many stickers

  Another computer worth of taking picture

  Okey, that was unexpected, that's for sure

  This mod probably was a red case with airbrushed leafs, a Simpsons fan too

  Do they still sell such cases? Brings memories of the 90's and the age of PC clones.

  More of unique cases

  The killer A/C in the hall was not enough, they got to be overclocking, heavily! Dust bunnies for everybody!

  Well, it is a computer from what our experts say

  Ok, this is the one, it is a weird case of water cooling, read on...

  This moded brief case seems to be a radiator for the case

  The case and the keyboard are also modded

  That is a lot of water cooling, very custom watercooling

  Ok, this puzzles us. The owner even water cooled the PSU block... ...thoughtfully left it without cover next to the keyboard. One slip of a finger and game over!

  Another example of what gems can be found among other computers

  We swear this was the only desktop there!

  A desktops envy

  More custom treasures

  This aged and yellow CRT has traveled many miles. There must be a reason, email us one.

  This very computer did stand out

  Why, decide for yourself. It is an expression of some kind. Somebody from our office has theorized that the big one carries the name of their clan and the small one has a name of the enemy clan

  Did he drop it or just really hard tries to win the "worst computer" award?

  Here is a blast from the past, it has got to be Pentium 200 Pro

  A mix like this doesn't occur naturally

  Another road warrior with a killer laptop

  True blue. Deadly as a viper. Noticeable from miles and miles away.

  Is it chilly in here or is it just me?

  Wow, a very nice slim clear case! We love it!

  Another fully prepared laptop gamer. We get a trend here that while laptops are nice for gaming, their keyboard is just too small

  We would assume game servers?

  More of the same...

  Oh, oh. That very case mod that everyone talked about. The user has conveniently positioned his "grill" in the traffic area to make sure everyone sees it

  Somebody bring some sauce! Fans from inside generate air flow that excites the fire-like orange tape.

  Looking from behind it resembles nothing like a computer. We hope you won that best mod award!

  Well, in case a power supply will smoke, it will not look like out of place.

  More towers that proudly stood a neck higher than everything else

  Seems like a custom window, the color is just way off

  Somewhat unique, has a handle on the top

  "Owned by a genius" is the logo of this case, and it is green too!

  A killer watercooling set up with a huge propeller

  Well, he does have a lot of hard drives, seems like a case is not a priority

  Here is nice friendly message, it is all about the delivery, right?!?

  Oops, someone update Firefox! This was projected on one of the walls of BYOC area.

  At least it is not a blue screen of death

  Well, it is time to visit our booth, we tried too!

  Announcing our sponsors in no particular order. We thank D-Link for helping us with a booth space on short notice. Another thanks goes to NoiseLimit for the high-tech cooler (see details below). We also thank Shuttle for that computer that is small but has a punch of a full blown PC. A huge thank you to Viewsonic for all the wonderful monitors they produce. And last thank you is to CoolerMaster for supplying us with this one of the kind case for being their one of the top partners.

  Introducing a new technology of heatsinks - freon like gas R-134a

  R-134a cools your automobile, your house, your refrigirator, now your PC.

  This heatsink is a closed loop vessel with R-134a that has no moving parts, no pump and nothing to break and nothing to power up

  The heatsink receives its energy from heat transfer and this heat puts everything in motion.

  The R-134a evaporates where it touches hot CPU, goes to a radiator to remove heat and becomes liquid again, the cycle repeats on its own.

  If you have a hot quadcore, you'll love this!

  Look for one at Directron.com very soon. The heatsink is very light, will not bulge your motherboard like heavy copper solutions but works better, quieter, and less chances to damage your motherboard.

  Some kids are checking out our system with Painkiller installed

  Our gaming specialist is there to help them out

  During other hours he is also a hardware specialist

  We have brought some items to help out gamers who have forgotten theirs

  If you are in Dallas, AxionTech.com is coming to you! They are a Directron company, check them out.

  We are checking out HardOCP for QuakeCon news.

  Hey, we are at QuakeCon again!

  NoiseLimit heatsink cooler is attracting attention

  That is one cool heatsink, check the manufacturer's website

  Some people just can't get enough

  And on the lighter note, VIP Lounge was always empty and we went to the 27th floor to relax after an eventful day

  A bar, a great view, live music, simply - high class.

  Here we practices some our photography skills

  Dallas in all its beauty

  Again, this is Dallas from the 27th floor of Hilton where QuakeCon 2007 took place

  And downtown, of course.

  Some users in their blogs have posted pictures of their rooms, something that official websites usually don't show. Not to keep you in suspense, here are the pictures of our stay at the Hilton for a QuakeCon rate of $131 a night. It does look like a prison right?

  Well, the view sucked, we didn't even bother to open shades most of the time.

  Here is a double Queen suite at $131 a night (next month CPL rate is only $120 a night in the same hotel).

  Another view of the room, we did expect just a tad more space since these room have much higher price tag without the event discount.

  Here is our entertainment which we traded mostly for a few local sights to see and in-door pool. By the way, the lap pool shown on the pictures of the hotel's website is for additional $16 a day, yet you may enjoy smaller spa pool for no additional charge.

  An office corner. It has high-speed Internet that we could make work, some free Wi-Fi was available but the signal was weak, a mental note to bring an external antenna next time.

  That red thing is actually a painting. We also couldn't find an exhaust fan in the bathroom.

  Outside it is pretty nice, all these plants are live.

  There are two of such "wells" in the hotel.

  The event floor for diners and such

  The elevators' shafts.

  Another shot of the beautiful architecture

  This is the second "well"

  Here you will find a bar with a piano, another bar with a dance floor, shops, small food courts that close way too early, and some event halls.

  The Hilton hotel is like a huge airport where you are destined to get tired by crossing it

  The roof

  Another picture of the hotel suites.

  A crossing between areas

  Elevator hall

  The end, will see you at QuakeCon in 2008!