Tech News

  • Hardware Asylum 4 Year Anniversary Giveaway

    Hardware Asylum Z170X Ultra Gaming Motherboard Giveaway

  • ASRock X99 Taichi (with Broadwell-E) @ techPowerUp

    Tis been awhile since any of use have seen an X99 review hit the webbytubes and this one seems exciting.  ASRock X99 Taichi which is a fancy name for high-end top-of-the-line super-awesome motherboard of d00m.

    Of course you know it is quality because of the zip-ties holding the board down.  ASRock did that with several boards including the Z87 OC Formula Overclocking Motherboard I reviewed back in the Haswell days.

    Sometimes, we need a calming moment, and sometimes such can be provided by your PC! ASRock's X99 Taichi takes a whole new twist on motherboard design, going for aesthetics and form over function while still keeping functionality in the foreground. This board doesn't focus on anything other than providing you a simple, easy-to-use, calming experience.

    I'd really like to review another ASRock mobo though it seems they have gotten away from the extreme overclocking scene and some of their high-end gaming gimmicks so I just don't see it happening anytime soon.

  • Crucial Ballistix Tactical 32GB Kit DDR4 3000Mhz Memory Review

    Another review from our very own local memory company, Crucial.  I'm glad to see they are offering large capacity DDR4 memory kits now.  Lets see what Hardwareslave has to say about them.

    We have a nice kit of DDR4 memory for review today, and it’s a 32Gb kit to boot, but first, the introduction! When Hardwareslave design and build systems there’s only one mantra, bandwidth. There is literally no point in having an Intel i3 CPU, an old HDD and an SLi set up, it’ll only bottleneck and cause frustration. Likewise, there’s no point in an Intel i7 CPU if you only give it 8Gb of DDR3 for example. These are all extremes, but the point is basically there, you need to provide each component the means to support the IO traffic throughout the entire system. That includes cooling, airflow, IRQ’s, Power Supply Units and even your monitor. It needs to be a balance and have an equal or greater amount of bandwidth than required.

    Ummm,  ya...  something like that.  I get that they are saying you need more memory but memory capacity isn't really a cause for bottlenecks.

  • Lian Li’s PC-Q37 Brings Beautiful Tempered Glass to Small Form Factor Builds

    The Benefits of the Dual-Chambered, Water Cooled O-Series in a SFF Mini Tower Case

    November 1st, 2016, Keelung, Taiwan - Lian-Li Industrial Co. Ltd is happy to announce the PC-Q37: a dual-chambered mini-ITX case with large tempered glass front and side panels. This latest chassis fuses the best of the Q-series and O-series for a new standard in small form factor PC cases. The PC-Q37 is meant to look great on desks without taking too much space.



    Dual-Chambered Advantages, Small Form Factor Size
    Like its big brothers the PC-O9 and PC-O10, the PC-Q37 is split into two compartments to make tidy builds a breeze. The main compartment mounts the motherboard, expansion cards, and cooling equipment; the back compartment hides the PSU and drive racks. This layout allows builders to highlight their best bits with oversized tempered glass, while effortlessly keeping wires and unsightly components tucked away.

    Designed for High-end Enthusiast Builds
    The PC-Q37 is a mini tower supporting Mini-ITX motherboards. Despite its compact size, it accommodates the largest VGA cards as long as 320mm on its two expansion slots. Users can install CPU coolers up to 130mm tall and PSUs as long as 220mm. The main compartment can house up to four 120mm fans on the top and bottom panels for an efficient bottom-to-top airflow or, alternatively, a radiator fitting 300mm x 120mm x 80mm. Why have big beautiful sheets of glass if there’s nothing exciting to show inside?

    Ample Drive Storage and Premium Build Quality
    The back compartment hides a rubber vibration-dampening drive rack supporting one 2.5” and two 3.5” drives. The front IO panel includes two USB 3.0 and HD audio ports, with headers tucked aside in the PSU and drive compartment, keeping the main compartment unfettered and wire-free at the get-go. Like the O-series, the PC-Q37 features an all-aluminum and tempered glass construction with removable, washable mesh filters on the fan intake mounts.

    Price and Availability
    The PC-Q37 will be available at Newegg.com for US$229
    Find detailed specifications for the PC-Q37 here

  • Asylum: Review Block - Solid State Storage Drives (SSSD) - da sssnake

    Solid State Storage (SSS) is So Super Solid that even Snakes have a difficult time Slithering Sneakily by the Storage Devices.  So, if we Say that Solid State Storage is like a Stream of Data flowing down a Dirty mountain Drive of knowledge, we could eat hot dogs.

    Solid State Storage Drive High School Football Rules!

    Web Reviews
    - ADATA Ultimate SU800 SSD Review (512GB) – More 3D TLC For The Masses
    - Crucial MX300 1.050 GB Review
    - Plextor S2C 256GB Solid State Drive Review @ CDRLabs
    - Samsung 960 PRO M.2 1TB NVMe SSD review
    - Samsung 960 PRO RAID Review @ Vortez
    - Samsung 960 Pro M.2 NVMe SSD Review (2TB) - Breathtaking Speed
    - Samsung 960 Pro 2TB NVMe M.2 PCIe SSD Review @ Legit Reviews
    - Samsung's 960 Pro 2TB SSD reviewed

    On a related note: what is it with review sites these days, not only do they not "repost" news from other sites (thanks again google) but when they do send out a press release they no longer mention what site they are in the title.  I mean, com'on.

    I guess it is time to fire up the ol'e article scraper and farm me some content.  Oh wait, black hat hardware reviewers already did this and is why the whole Google crap came down.  Thanks alot idiots.

    Oh ya, Support your local SSD rescue, for just pennies a day you could save a small SSD drive from the storage paradox of storage devices stored in boxes.  Also be a responsible SSD owner and trim your drives to help control the data population.

  • MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4G OC Pushed To The Max @ Legit Reviews

    +1 for the click-bait title now to figure out how to remove that point.

    Oh I got it.  -1 because the Gigabyte GTX 1050 Ti G1 Gaming card clocks better. happy smile

    When the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti came out earlier this week we didn't have enough time to properly overclock it, but we were impressed by the performance that the stock card had for $140 price point. The MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4G OC graphics card ($139.99) showed that it could easily beat the XFX Radeon RX 460 4GB that also just happens to be priced at $139.99 shipped and it was usually performing close to the EVGA GeForce GTX 960 Super SuperClocked 4GB that was priced at $239 just one year ago. It made us wonder just how much more could we improve performance if we manually overclocked it? Read on to see how far we pushed the GeForce GTX 1050 Ti!

    Not to be dissin on the cost advantages of a GTX 1050 vs a GTX 1080 I have to admit that the locked NVidia GPUs are really annoying for those of us who really enjoy overclocking.  Combine that with no real performance advantages over an overclocked GTX 1050 vs a stock one and you have a dead platform for true computer enthusiasts. 

  • GeIL Announced World’s First Fully RGB Illuminated DDR4 Memory Module

    Taipei, Taiwan — October 28th, 2016 -- GeIL – Golden Emperor International Ltd. – one of the world's leading PC components & peripheral manufacturers announced the availability of the world’s first fully RGB illuminated DDR4 memory module, EVO X series first launched through Newegg.com in the United States.



    GeIL EVO X series memory is an irresistible addition to any rig providing stunning lighting effects with full customizability and compatibility with the latest X99 and Z170 mainboards. “GeIL is building their global sales network allowing customers better access to GEIL products.  The EVO X co-cooperation with Newegg.com is a milestone for GeIL in the United States. It is successfully creating a win-win situation with competitive pricing, reliable product delivery and service.” – says Jennifer Huang, the Vice President of GeIL.

    First DDR4 Memory RGB Illumination support up to DDR4 4000MHz and above
    Featuring the revolutionary GeIL’s HILM™ (Hybrid-Independent-Light-Module) Design, the EVO X DDR4 memory separates the entire lighting solution and circuitry from the memory module, satisfying both, the need for stunning RGB illumination with zero interference to the module to provide maximum performance. The EVO X DDR4 series starts at a clock speed of 3000MHz, scaling up beyond 4000MHz.

    HILM™ –Hybrid-Independent-Light-Module
    GeIL’s own HILM™ –Hybrid-Independent-Light-Module is completely separated from the memory module and combines LEDs, microprocessor, circuits, switch and dual-power-source into a single modular solution.  Performance and innovative lighting combined without compromise.

    Full Compatibility with ASUS, GIGABYTE and MSI motherboards' RGB lighting control apps

    The EVO X series fully supports the latest high-end motherboards’ RGB User Interfaces and applications including ASUS Aura, GIGABYTE Ambient LED, and MSI Mystic Light by simply connecting the motherboard’s 4-pin RGB header.  The full customizable RGB lighting module found on the EVO X will synchronize with motherboard, graphics card and other RGB UI compatible components giving you a seamless illumination experience.

    “Sliding Hot Switch” supports manual real-time control
    The built-in “Sliding Hot Switch” supports manual real-time control of the RGB illumination, even on motherboards without RGB support. Connecting the EVO X to the motherboard fan connector enables the “Sliding Hot Switch”, providing Seven (7) RGB Color Rotation - breathing red, breathing green, breathing blue, blue, yellow, purple, and white.
     

    EVO X memory supports ASUS, GIGABYTE, and MSI motherboard RGB lighting control apps: http://www.geil.com.tw/products/show/id/553
    EVO X series memory available at Newegg:  https://goo.gl/TldDde
    EVO X series memory microsite: http://www.geil.com.tw/ddr4-evox/
    EVO X series memory product images download: https://goo.gl/M8ympS
    More GeIL memory availabilities:  Newegg.com, Micro Center, ABS system, and Cyberpower PC in U.S. and Canada Computers in Canada.


    About GeIL
    GeIL – Golden Emperor International Ltd. – one of the world's leading PC components & peripheral manufacturers that concentrate in making the most innovative products, from memory modules to gaming peripherals, for PC enthusiasts worldwide. Established in 1993, GeIL has soon become one of the most trusted memory professionals in the industry. In the year 2000, with the vast knowledge of tweaking and producing some of the world’s fastest DRAM modules, GeIL shook the PC enthusiast market and changed it for the better. The introduction of the first ever memory heat-spreader, the dual-channel packaged memory kit and lifetime warranty are all innovative concepts GeIL introduced in the PC DIY market. GeIL has been concentrating in perfecting the technologies of IC testing, memory burn-in and quality assurance for memory products across all segments of the market. GeIL memory is now trusted and distributed in over 50 countries worldwide. In Oct. 2016, GeIL announced to expand market in North America through a co-operation with Newegg.com to provide customers more purchasing channels, and better user experience.
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/geilmemory
    Twitter: https://twitter.com/geilmemory
    YouTube:   https://www.youtube.com/user/geilmemory

  • ID-COOLING Releases ICEKIMO 240VGA AIO Water Cooler for Gaming VGA Cards

    Oct. 25th, 2016 – ID-COOLING has been continuously trying to develop some innovative products in computer cooling. Today a new member of ICEKIMO series is born to help gamers to cool their hot gaming VGA cards: ICEKIMO 240VGA.

    ICEKIMO 240VGA features a green theme design with green LEDs on the fans and the VGA board cover. The LED logo can be seen through the side panel on computer cases. Designed with a powerful pump with a water flow of 96L/H and a 240mm radiator mounted with dual 120mm PWM fans, this cooler offers exceptional cooling performance.

    The VGA board cover is made of pure aluminum anodized into black/green theme for the best match with the original Nvidia VGA Cards. The built-in 95*15mm slim fan is there to help cool the VRAMs. The aluminum cover itself can dissipate heat effectively simultaneously.

    Tubing length is 380mm, which is enough for all ATX builds. The sleeved design makes the tubing more durable and also aesthetically pleasing.

    Universal mounting brackets are included. ICEKIMO 240VGA is compatible with those VGA cards having 58.4*58.4mm and 53.3*53.3mm mounting holes, to name a few, Nvidia GTX 10 series, 9 series, and AMD R9 200/300/400 Series.

    The MSRP for ICEKIMO 240VGA is $119.99.

    For more product information, you can check http://www.idcooling.com/Product/detail/id/87/name/ICEKIMO%20240VGA. You’re also invited to like ID-COOLING on Facebook: www.facebook.com/idcooling.global.

  • NVIDIA GTX 1050 and GTX 1050 Ti Launch Day

    Eariler this month NVidia released details of their new 50 series video card desigend to fill out the low-end video card market.  Today, we can find out just how fast, or slow, this new card is from a wide variety of sources.

    - Gigabyte GTX 1050 Ti G1 Gaming 4GB Video Card Review @ Hardware Asylum
    - NVIDIA GTX 1050 Roundup Featuring EVGA MSI and Zotac @ Hardware Asylum

    Web Reviews
    - MSI GeForce GTX 1050 and 1050 Ti Gaming X Review @ Guru3D
    - MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4GB and GeForce GTX 1050 2GB Video Card Review @ Legit Reviews
    - MSI GTX 1050 and GTX 1050 Ti @ LanOC Reviews
    - MSI GTX 1050 Ti Gaming X 4 GB @ techPowerUp
    - The NVIDIA GTX 1050 Ti & GTX 1050 Review @ Hardware Canucks
    - MSI GTX 1050 Gaming X 2 GB @ techPowerUp

    Sometimes the question of "Is this good for the enthusiast community?" comes up and while teh GTX 1050 is pretty slow when compared to a GTX 1060 that isn't to say you can't just dial back the details and still have a good time.  That is what makes GeForce Experience so attractive to novice gamers.  They now can just select a game and the GFE will do the rest.

    Oh and it also helps you stay up to date with the latest game ready drivers, which can be beneficial in some situations.

  • ENERMAX releases an aluminum case: STEELWING

    November 2016,- Bringing craftsmanship to the next level, ENERMAX officially releases STEELWING, a fully aluminum micro-ATX case with a panoramic tempered glass side panel. Its wing-shaped front panel with one pre-installed ENERMAX patented circular-type LED fan makes STEELWING not just a gorgeous computer case but also a modern decoration. Combined with the spacious interior, STEELWING offers a great flexibility for users to build their systems including hard-tubing installation.



    Exquisite aluminum craftsmanship
    Composed of a premium quality aluminum body and up to 3.5mm thick aluminum panel, the structure of STEELWING is built to last. The beautiful luster of aluminum makes STEELWING stand out from its peers effortlessly. Moreover, you can enjoy the view of your internal rigs anytime through the large panoramic 3mm thick tempered glass panel. The case surface is further anodized and sandblasted to keep it from corrosion and prevent fingerprints or scratches.
     
    Excellent heat dispersion and cooling performance
    The aluminum material of STEELWING provides up to 3 times faster heat dissipation compared to steel made PC cases. The semi-open design of wing-shape front panel with 7 stacked aluminum plates can optimize the airflow. With the front and top meshes and 1* pre-installed 12cm fan in the front, STEELWING serves as an excellent cooling enclosure for your precious hardware.
     
    Spacious interior with versatile HDD & cooling configuration support
    STEELWING features spacious interior allowing you to build your system the way you want such as hard-tubing installation. The storage it offers is sufficient, including 1*3.5 and 1*2.5" HDD/SSD in the rear; 1*3.5" or 120mm liquid cooler/fan in the front.  
     
    STEELWING is available in 2 colors: red and green; each version is equipped with a color matching ENERMAX patented Circular Type LED fan. It is also built with 2* USB 3.0 front panel ports and supports VGA cards up to 290mm in length. This micro-ATX case provides flexible configuration to fit various purposes such as home theater PC, office computer, gaming PC or case modding. For more information, please visit ENERMAX website www.enermax.com or YouTube channel