Tech News
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ENERMAX Platimax D.F. PSU available now
July 19th, 2016, Taoyuan, Taiwan - ENERMAX new 80PLUS® Platinum certified power supply with up to 93% high efficiency, Platimax D.F. made its debut on CeBIT 2016 and is now available on the market with two models: 500W and 600W.
ENERMAX Patented Dust Free Rotation Technology
Platimax D.F. is the successor of ENERMAX awarding-winning series, Platimax, with full modular cable design. Platimax D.F. capitalizes on 2016 ENERMAX innovation, patented Dust Free Rotation (DFRTM) technology which enables the PSU fan to spin in reverse for 10 sec. upon startup to blow away the dust swiftly for self cleaning. The DFRTM technology can reduce the dust accumulated on the fan blades and around fan guard to provide a smooth intake airflow path without obstruction.
Exclusive SLEEMAX Cable Design
Platimax D.F. is full modular cable design and features a new stylish individual sleeved modular cable, named SLEEMAX, which is made with delicate and selected fabric. The texture of SLEEMAX is smoother and softer, making the cable a hassle-free choice for cable management.
Patented Twister Bearing Fan & 100% Japanese Electrolytic Capacitor
Platimax D.F. delivers a stable and silent performance. It is equipped with ENERMAX patented Twister Bearing fan, 100% 105°C Japanese electrolytic capacitors and DC to DC converter circuit for rock-solid voltage stability and higher efficiency. Platimax D.F. is also compliant with 2013 ErP Lot 6 standard for energy saving (<0.5W power consumption at standby mode).
Accessory Kit
Platimax D.F. comes with a decent black storage bag, velcro ties, cable ties and cord organizers with different sizes which provide a convenient way for users to manage the cables.
Quality first is always ENERMAX's philosophy in designing and producing solutions. Platimax D.F. provides an alternative for highly-efficient systems or graphics workstations. Multiple protection setting further makes Platimax D.F. a reliable PSU; the protection circuitry includes OVP, UVP, OPP, SCP, and SIP. For more information, please visit ENERMAX website www.enermax.com or YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/Nms-kSyS8VU -
MSI X99A Gaming Pro Carbon Motherboard Review @ Guru3D
It is sometimes difficult to know which motherboard is the best. Do you look at performance or features to make that decision?
Well, one thing is for sure, Guru3D will be one of the only sites to bring you all of the MSI coverage including the elusive MSI video cards that seem to be in short supply.
We review the MSI X99A Gaming Pro Carbon, this motherboard from the Gaming series is among the best X99 chipset based motherboards we have tested to date. Not just that, it looks pretty awesome as well in an all dark design with carbon elements and a color configurable LED system. Obviously it is loaded with features so much more in regards to SLI/Crossfire support, SATA3 connectors, M.2., overclock features, a very nice audio solution and much more.
I do like the look of the new Carbon series boards and the LEDs are a nice addition.
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NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Specifications Leaked
I'm usually not one to fan the flames of speculation but if NVIDIA is planning to have 1080 Ti ready and launched by the holiday season then why not push and make it true.
As we all know the new 10 Series has been extremely popular since it was launched earlier this year. So much in fact that it is difficult to keep product on the shelves and mfgs are having an even harder time getting product to market. Adding another, more powerful GPU to the mix will only compound the problem unless they take the Titan X approach and make the GTX 1080 Ti an NVIDIA exclusive.
NVIDIA is giving finishing touches to its next enthusiast-segment graphics card based on the "Pascal" architecture, the GeForce GTX 1080 Ti. Its specifications were allegedly screengrabbed by a keen-eyed enthusiast snooping around NVIDIA website, before being redacted. The specs-sheet reveals that the GTX 1080 Ti is based on the same GP102 silicon as the TITAN X Pascal, but is further cut-down from it. Given that the GTX 1080 is unflinching from its $599-$699 price-point, with some custom-design cards even being sold at over $800, the GTX 1080 Ti could either be positioned around the $850-mark, or be priced lower, disrupting currently overpriced custom GTX 1080 offerings. By pricing the TITAN X Pascal at $1200, NVIDIA appears to have given itself headroom to price the GTX 1080 Ti in a way that doesn't cannibalize premium GTX 1080 offerings.
Of course leaks being leaks this could be just something made up to increase traffic. Either way the specs listed are extremely realistic though I still question the launch date. Typically NVIDIA launches product in the spring making a holiday release a little aggressive.
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Energy Comission Threatens Pre-Built Gaming Computers
When I was growing up watching game shows in the afternoon there was a familiar saying whenever a car was being offered as a prize.
"California Emissions"
At the time I didn't know what that ment however when I entered High School and started working on my own cars my research turned up different car configurations for 49 State and California. As it would turn out for cars to be sold in in California they must meet strict emissions standards which often ment tweaking with the car to make it more efficent and in most cases robbing it of power. (eg. less fuel = less emissions)
It would seem that with the past history of rolling power outages in California they have decided that stuff needs to get efficient quick and they are targeting the standard desktop PC.
The CEC is said to have conducted wide-ranging consultations with stakeholders in the industry, to formulate regulations that make certain kinds of computers energy-efficient, while not creating the kind of regulation that prevent certain other kind of computers from being sold altogether (eg: gaming desktops and workstations). For example, it's realistic to sell a desktop PC for Internet and office productivity apps that draws under 100W, but it's not realistic to make one for 4K Ultra HD gaming, or even industrial CAD. These kinds of computers will be governed by a separate set of rules, and as you'll find out, some of these rules are very arbitrary, and not very well thought out.
The article at TechPowerUp covers many of the details associated with the new regulations including 80 PLUS certifications and minimum levels of performance with the end goal being that the systems draw less power.
Of course this doesn't threaten folks who build their own PCs from scratch but will have a HUGE impact on boutique builders like CyberPowerPC who assemble custom machines and operate out of City of Industry in California.
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Registration required for Nvidia’s latest GeForce Experience Client
Way to go NVIDIA! I'm pretty sure this is what happens when you have a company who has run out of things to do and has no competition in the space they operate.
This article over at Digital Trends goes over the recent GFE (*not girl friend experience) update which includes a redesigned layout and forced registration. From what I can tell you can still decide if you want to install GeForce Experience and if it is installed they are not forcing you to use it.
HOWEVER, if you prefer to have someone else control how your games should be played and share your gaming habits with NVIDIA (likely to also include pirated games) then you'll need to register. In a way this is good for NVIDIA since they will no longer have to rely on Steam stats to understand that people still game on 1080p even if they spent the $700 bones on a GTX 1080.
Overall, GeForce Experience 3.0 appears to focus on simplicity, providing a toolbar that includes a “Home” button for the default window when the program launches, and a “Drivers” button to grab the latest GeForce Game Ready Driver. This toolbar also shoves a “Share” button, a “Settings” button, and a “Profile” button over to the right of the client, the latter of which contains a drop-down menu for accessing the user’s account and an option to log out.
On an unrelated note I tried to install the latest GeForce driver on my test rig and discovered that it would not install. I was running a fresh install of Windows 10 and it would fail claiming my OS wasn't supported. Figuring they somehow are getting kickbacks from Microsoft I installed a fresh copy of Windows 10 Anniversary Edition and wouldn't you know it. The driver installed correctly. Seems to install the latest drivers you must also have your PC updated with the latest patches.
Grrr
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Thermalright Le Grand Macho RT @ techPowerUp
A cooler this size has no practical use in a modern PC despite some very distinct advantages like passively cooling a 130w CPU and being virtually silent when paired with a properly cooled chassis.
Virtually silent and properly cooled usually translate into "big huge case" and not something you would want to use in an environment where things need to be quiet. At least without lowering performance expectations.
Thermalright's Le Grand Macho RT is massive in size, weighing in at 1060g with the fan. Capable of being used passively, it offers users a near-silent operation and top-tier performance when paired with the TY-147B fan. The competition should take note as Thermalright looks to steal the air-cooling crown.
No, the real reason I posted this news story is because of the name. "Le Grand Macho RT" That just rolls off the tongue and really describes this massive cooler that only a handful of people may actually want.
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Crucial MX300 750GB SSD, Now Packing Micron 3D TLC NAND @ Custom PC Review
It is Crucial that SSDs get big. (see what I did there?)
For over two years, Samsung has been the only mass manufacturer of 3D NAND and being the first to market SSDs with the new technology, they’ve reaped some serious rewards. In a recent report by analyst firm TrendFocus, Samsung owns a staggering 40.8% share of total SSDs shipped and their 3D NAND.
Ohh 3D NAND!?! now this should be interesting, not so much from if the drive will be fast but from a cost standpoint. Will going vertical save money? and will those cost savings trickle down to the college kids on a beer budget or retired folks on a fixed income.
You know, cause normal people shouldn't care so much about cost. #justsayin
It is Crucial that people know this. (there did it again)
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Lexar Portable SSD 512GB Storage Review @ Hardware Slave
Lexar is a Micron company and they have been heavily invested in flash memory for quite some time. Despite this their branded SSDs aren't seen very much in the online shops however I suspect the chips make it into many of the drives you already have.
Well, it seems they are going portable now too.
We reviewed the Lexar Professional Workflow DD512 last year and it got a Recommended award from us. We liked its speed, size and price, and all from a USB external SSD aimed at the professional consumer, hence the name Workflow. Fast forward a few months and Lexar release a new portable SSD, and it’s actually just called the Portable SSD.
It is too bad I can't portable one out of the local Crucial office. I do drive by it on a daily basis. All in due time I suppose.
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SilverStone Primera PM01 Computer Case Review @ APH Networks
I'm not sure how best to describe this case. It is quite tall and features a grill full of fans for massive cooling. Some may call it agressive however, I simply cannot see why.
The SilverStone Primera PM01 is an aggressive looking case filled with features and advanced cooling performance for the enthusiast.
The internals seem to be inspired by a Phanteks design with no internal structure for drives and surface mount everything. I have one of them in the lab for evaluation so be sure to check back for a full review.
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Corsair Carbide Air 740 Case Review @ Legit Reviews
Meh
Corsair has a long history of making some of the highest quality computer components available. They are constantly watching the market and developing new products to meet new demands. Since CES 2016, their computer case division has been silently working on some new designs. Today, we are looking at one of these new designs, in the Carbide Air 740, the follow-up to one of their most popular cases, the Air 540, which we took a look at back in 2013!
It would seem Corsair is having too many green party meetings on the 50 yard line to try and relive old memories.
Seriously though, I understood the concept of the Air 540 and actually felt that was a good case. The Air 740 is just kinda ugly but, the YouTube guys seem to like it so I guess Corsair gave samples to the right people.
