Tech News
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Guru3D Rig of the Month - December 2016 - El Jefe
Casemodding isn't what it use to be and is a topic that Darren and I discussed in episode 70 of The Hardware Asylum Podcast. The whole modding thing has gotten easier and maybe it is in response to kids not having shop class in school anymore or families without tools but, I feel computer modding should be a status symbol and something everyone should do to personalize their PC.
One of my goals for 2017 is to bring back a casemodding and system build gallery and have my readers pick the monthly winners. I think it would be good fun and a great way to help promote the hobby.
The December edition of the Guru3D Rig of the Month 2016 is here. For this months build you get to meet 'El Jefe' from Allen Gonzalez. A really nice and specialized build.
I might even go so far as to have overclocking builds featured. Maybe put some rules around what qualifies as an overclock but it might be a great way to also promote the fun stuff you can do with overclocking.
Until then check out the build over at Guru3D.
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Avexir Raiden Green Tesla 16GB 2666MHz DDR4 Memory Review @ Hardwareslave
Avexir makes some pretty impressive memory modules and appears to be a strong supporter of the overclocking world. One of their unicorn products are the modules with the plasma show across the top. Very pretty to look at however, knowing that you are sticking a static generator on top of a memory module you have to wonder if it is really all that good.
Today we review the Avexir Raiden Series Green Tesla 2666MHz DDR4 Memory 16GB Kit. There are a lot of DDR4 kits on the market and they vary greatly in speeds, capacity, and design. If you want something a little visually different, Avexir have their Raiden Series using world exclusive patented technology of plasma tubes to mimic lightening effect.
If I was to speculate the year of the plasma memory module light show has concluded. LEDs seem to be the future and I give that a year before its all Meh under the bridge.
Still, the effect is extremely memorizing to watch, maybe someone will figure out how to put that in a watercooling reservoir for added drama. In the meantime check out the HWS review of the mouthful memory modules from Avexir
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ZEN Benchmark from french hardware Magazine
Leave it to the French to break NDA and think it is a good thing. Well, in this case I’m going to “assume” it was something the editor didn't catch but, still it is stuff like this that will bring back paper launches and market delays. It is also making it more difficult for consumers to trust hardware media and will eventually cause it to collapse.
Of course, with that being said and assuming the charts are "correct" the new AMD Ryzen CPU is looking like a winner in the performance arena.
The reddit translation is claiming 8 Zen cores and matching performance with a Intel Core i7 6900K (Broadwell-E) and at a lower than advertised clock frequency. This is great news since AMD really needs something in the performance arena before it even thinks about the consumer space.
It will be interesting to see how this all plays out and more importantly what kinds of motherboards might get released. You know they will be full on Crossfire boards with 4-way support (cause:NVidia). Plus if history holds true then we will also get this level of performance for less than the cost of a Core i7 6900K which can be north of $1,000 USD.
It might be time to get excited about AMD again.
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Ryzen CPU expected to help raise AMD desktop market share
Most enthusiasts would agree that CPU popularity is often centered around performance meaning that the fastest chip usually wins. Speed can either be raw out of the box performance or based on overclockability. For instance the old Socket A Athlon CPUs were extremely popular due to how they overclocked and how much fun it was to do. Some of that translated to the A64 line but that quickly died off when LGA 1366 was released.
Assuming Ryzen can match performance with Skylake and Kaby Lake then I think they might have a chance.
AMD's next-generation 14nm Ryzen series processors will be unveiled in the first quarter of 2017 and the new platform will be officially released at the end of February and enter global mass shipments in March, according to sources from motherboard players. Optimistic about its high price/performance ratio, motherboard players have been rather aggressive about placing orders for related motherboards recently and some even believe demand for the new platform will increase AMD's share in the worldwide desktop processor market in the second quarter of 2017.
Now all they need is something to compete with LGA 2011 and they might be on to something.
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Winter Overclocking and Frosty Phase Change
One nice thing about overclocking in the winter is taking advantage of the lower ambient temperatures. Not only does it help get a few more MHz from my air cooled graphics cards but also helps to lower the temp of my phase machine. Normally it runs between -35c and -45c but in the winter I can get around -50c with a little more capacity.
Another benefit, if you can call it that, is frost. Yes, we all know frost is a normal occurrence in the winter and a problem during extreme overclocking but, in the High Deserts of Idaho the summertime humidity is around 10% to 20% making frost build-up somewhat rare.
Things change in the winter months where the humidity jumps up to around 80% on most days and allows me to get some nice frost shots. Keep in mind this photo is of the POM section of the phase head so while it is cold enough to frost up it is actually quite insulated.
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Happy Holidays from Hardware Asylum
It is that time of year again where all tech heads, geeks and normal people group together to celebrate a very Merry Christmas, and other holidays as well. So from all of us at Hardware Asylum we wish you a fun and safe holiday.
If you happen to be stuck at home either by choice or by mother nature be sure to check out the latest episode of the Hardware Asylum Podcast where we talk about anticipated games we want to play this holiday season along with an amazing main show episode about casemodding and fan testing.
#merrychristmas #happynewyear #2017
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AeroCool Project7 P7-C1 Tempered Glass Edition Review
Here is another tempered glass computer case, this time from AeroCool.
AeroCool used to be the leader in ultra cool fan controllers. Sadly with the decline of the external drive bay I fear that accessories like that are no longer in style. Heck, even their own case is missing the external drive bay which tells you something.
Today we are reviewing the new AeroCool Project7 P7-C1 Tempered Glass Edition case on OCinside.de, convincing not only with LED effects, but also with many little gimmicks. Following this review is with a little luck this AeroCool Project7 P7-C1 or an AeroCool DS-230 chassis free of charge for a reader review !
OMG, that quote. I'm no expert but, that really doesn't make any sense. On a positive the AeroCool Project P7-C1 Tempered does come with an LED light strip and fan hub to help give it some "umph" on the store shelves.
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Cooler Master Hyper 212 LED Review @ KitGuru
OMG, Don't look now but it is the Hyper 212 with an LED fan!
What is this world coming to when you can refresh a product by simply changing the fan and get review sites excited about it.
Very rarely in the world of PC tech does a product come along and win universal acclaim. The original Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO is one such product, having built up a legendary status over the past few years. It has won our KitGuru Reader Award for best CPU air cooler for the last two years running, and is generally considered the ‘go-to’ product for an air cooler on a budget. Now Cooler Master have tried to improve perfection with the new Hyper 212 LED.
KitGuru is all like, "ya it is the best air cooler ever and now has an LED fan". Little do they know (or maybe they do) that EU coolers have always come with crappy silent fans. I guess noise is a huge issue in Europe so, while the Hyper 212 is a great cooler it could be even better, provided you purchase it in the US, or anywhere else for that matter.
I often think about the future of enthusiast computer hardware and while things have started to "die down" in the States there are other parts of the world where "building your own PC" is actually something people do. Of course the real question is. What market do they model their builds after?
- The US style, loud and proud pack in everything and a bag of nuts
- The EU style, silent but deadly either blow your whole wad or skimp on everything and then remove half of it.
- reddit style, where you have to second guess all of your parts and then whine like a little girl with a skinned knee when your intel Core i3 won't fit the 990FX motherboard that someone suggested.
- PC PartPicker style, cheap of the cheap (actual cheap hardware, not inexpensive, there is a difference people) and only buy stuff that is on sale despite ordering from 12 different stores and getting robbed on shipping.I guess the only way to find out is to have an Enthusiast PC world tour.
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G.SKILL Announces Revolutionary RGB Lighting DDR4 with Trident Z RGB Series
Unadulterated RGB Illumination
Taipei, Taiwan (20 December 2016) – G.SKILL International Enterprise Co., Ltd., the world’s leading manufacturer of extreme performance memory and gaming peripherals, is thrilled to announce the Trident Z RGB Series - the world’s most revolutionary RGB lighting DDR4 memory kit. Requiring no additional power connections, this incredible feat of engineering bares pure RGB lighting across an uncovered full-length light bar on the award-winning Trident Z series heatspreader design. To take a look at what’s to come, check out the following link for the Trident Z RGB trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPx0LNzgQm4
Full Range RGB Illumination; Software Control
By default, the Trident Z RGB will display a rainbow of colors in a wave-style lighting effect, illuminating any system with a myriad of hues. Further lighting effects and color customizations can be controlled and chosen through software, scheduled for a February 2017 release.
Uncompromised Performance
A culmination of over 25 years of experience in DRAM manufacturing, G.SKILL sought to combine full-range RGB lighting with minimal impact on DDR4 performance. Designed with a custom 10-layer PCB and hand-picked IC chips to enhance overclocking performance, the Trident Z RGB series is capable of reaching speeds of DDR4-4266MHz.Trident Z RGB series memory kits are rigorously tested under proprietary G.SKILL test methods for reliability and compatibility to ensure the highest possible quality. And like all other G.SKILL memory, the Trident Z RGB is covered under a limited lifetime warranty, as well as full support for XMP 2.0 for easy overclocking and simple BIOS setup.
Availability
Trident Z RGB series DDR4 memory kits are scheduled for a worldwide release via G.SKILL authorized distribution partners in mid-January 2017, with software to be available for download the following month.About G.SKILL
Established in 1989 by PC hardware enthusiasts, G.SKILL specializes in high performance memory, SSD products, and gaming peripherals designed for PC gamers and enthusiasts around the world. Combining technical innovation and rock solid quality through our in-house testing lab and talented R&D team, G.SKILL continues to create record-breaking memory for each generation of hardware and hold the no. 1 brand title in overclocking memory. -
Thermaltake New Core X71 Core X31 Suppressor F31 Tempered Glass Edition Chassis
Aesthetic Appeal with Outstanding Expandability
Taipei, Taiwan-December 20th 2016-Thermaltake, a leading brand in PC DIY market, recently extended the existing chassis line-ups with three Tt LCS Certified cases – the Core X31, Core X71, and Suppressor F31 Tempered Glass Edition Chassis. The Core X31, Core X71, and Suppressor F31 Tempered Glass Edition Chassis feature high quality 4mm thick tempered glass window, preinstalled 140mm Riing Blue fans, a riser GPU support bracket, and full assembly capacity and expandability for PC enthusiasts to create high-end PCs with an advanced liquid cooling loop and gorgeous system presentation.The new Thermaltake Core X31, Core X71, and Suppressor F31 Tempered Glass Editionwill also be revealed at Thermaltake CES 2017 held at the Venetian Hotel Titian 2303 Suite from January 5th (Thu) to 8th (Sun). The new Thermaltake Core X31, Core X71, and Suppressor F31 Tempered Glass Edition Chassis will be displayed at CES 2017, and will be available on the market in January 2017.
Thermaltake’s 3 Tempered Glass Edition Chassis Bring Style and Space to your Case
The 4mm thick tempered glass with enlarged window design guarantees the durability of the panel as well as allows users to fully display and admire all components of the system. Moreover, to advance the visual presentation of each build, the Core X71 and Core X31 come with two Riing 14 Blue fans; the Suppressor F31 is pre-mounted with a Riing 14 Blue fan. Another unique feature of the tempered glass edition chassis is dual GPU placement with riser GPU support bracket that is used for prevent the graphic card from sagging when it is installed vertically. In addition, retaining excellent expandability and offering superior ventilation with the compatibility for the extensive DIY/AIO LCS, the Core X71 the Core X31 are enthusiast’s grade tower chassis that is designed with groundbreaking interior space for high-end configurations. The Suppressor F31 also features ideal space for liquid cooling expansion, but it is specially designed with sound-damping panels that deliver the perfect balance in cooling performance and silent operation.Exclusively “Tt LCS Certified”
Tt LCS Certified is a Thermaltake exclusive certification applied to products that pass the design and rigorous hardcore enthusiast standards that only the world’s best LCS chassis are held to. The Tt LCS certification was created so that Thermaltake can clearly convey to power users and enthusiasts which chassis are built and tested to be best compatible under extreme liquid cooling configurations. This ensures users get the best performance, compatibility and features.Key Features of the Thermaltake Tempered Glass Edition Chassis:
Core X71 Tempered Glass Edition Full Tower Chassis
4mm Thick Tempered Glass Window with Gorgeous View
The tempered glass features 4mm thickness that guarantees the durability of the window. Moreover, the enlarged window design permits users to fully display and admire all components of the liquid-cooling system. Show off your dedicated set in the subtlest manner!Space-Optimized Dual Chamber Design
Optimized for space management, the Core X71 utilizes dual chamber design to offer a tidy looking system by separating the liquid-cooling loop, and PSU and HDD cages into a different chamber. The removable 3.5”/2.5” drive device racks give assemblers plenty of flexibility to gain the maximum interior space needed for advanced cooling performance.Fully Modular Concept
A “2 + 5” drive bay design for storage devices makes setting up the latest storage solution super easy and flexible. Besides hanging 2 x 3.5”/2.5” at the back of motherboard tray, users are also capable of freely adjusting the 3.5” drive cages within the upper chamber or to the lower chamber to suit their particular needs.Riser GPU Support Bracket
Specially designed with dual GPU placement, the Core X71 has the support for vertical graphic card layout with dual PCI-E slots design. The PCI-e riser cable is optional. Plus, the included riser GPU support bracket not only can prevent the graphic card from sagging, but also helps to reduce the weight on the motherboard.Superior Expandability
Designed for high-end gaming system compatibility, the Core X71’s modular drive racks allow users to easily install up to seven data storage devices, a dual expansion slot VGA of up to 420mm in length, and a tower CPU cooler as high as 180mm. Even with a high-wattage PSU stretching to 220mm in length, the Core X71 still leaves plenty of interior space for cable management. Moreover, a 480mm radiator can be installed at front of the chassis, delivering superior cooling performance.Ideal for Advanced Cooling Solutions
Featuring a width of 250mm, the Core X71’s unparalleled cooling ability offers fan brackets with various mounting points to support any type of gaming system that can be accommodated, including DIY/AIO liquid-cooling systems and air-cooling units. Users can install up to 480mm radiator at the front and a 360mm radiator on each side in the lower chamber. Additionally, the Core X71 comes with two 140mm Riing Blue fans at front and a 140mm fan at the rear to optimize system ventilation.Core X31 Tempered Glass Edition Mid Tower Chassis
4mm Thick Tempered Glass Window with Gorgeous View
The tempered glass features 4mm thickness that guarantees the durability of the window. Moreover, the enlarged window design permits users to fully display and admire all components of the liquid-cooling system. Show off your dedicated set in the subtlest manner!Fully Modular Concept
The fully modular drive cages minimize the hassles of installation and removal. Especially, the Core X31 utilizes a tool-less drive bay design that allows users to freely interchange the 3.5” and 2.5” hard-drives to suit their particular needs. The dual drive bay concept of “2+3” offers a good ratio for accessories and storage devices.Riser GPU Support Bracket
Specially designed with dual GPU placement, the Core X31 has the support for vertical graphic card layout with dual PCI-E slots design. The PCI-e riser cable is optional. Plus, the included riser GPU support bracket not only can prevent the graphic card from sagging, but also helps to reduce the weight on the motherboard.Excellent Expandability
The Core X31 supports motherboards up to standard ATX, a tower CPU cooler with maximum height 180mm, and a dual expansion slot VGA of up to 420mm in length without HDD rack. The Core X31 still leaves plenty of interior space for cable management even after installing a high-wattage PSU with 220mm in length without bottom fan. Moreover, with the tool-free design, users can easily mount up to three 3.5”/2.5” (with HDD cage) and two 5.25” storage devices into the build at the same time.Superior Ventilation
Featuring a width of 250mm, the Core X31 enables users to build a complete high-end system that supports up to triple 120mm, double 140mm liquid cooling radiators or up to 200mm case fans. Additionally, to improve system ventilation, the Core X31 comes with two 140mm Riing Blue fans. One is at the front. Another is installed at the rear.Suppressor F31 Tempered Glass Edition Mid Tower Chassis
4mm Thick Tempered Glass Window with Gorgeous View
The tempered glass features 4mm thickness that guarantees the durability of the window. Moreover, the enlarged window design permits users to fully display and admire all components of the liquid-cooling system. Show off your dedicated set in the subtlest manner!Fully Modular Concept
The Suppressor F31 comes with fully modular drive cages that provide the ease of installation/removal and maximize the interior space for custom cooling loop. Especially, the tool-less drive bay design allows users to freely interchange the 3.5” and 2.5” hard-drives to suit their particular needs. The dual drive bay concept of “2+3” offers a good ratio for accessories and storage devices.Riser GPU Support Bracket
Specially designed with dual GPU placement, the Suppressor F31 has the support for vertical graphic card layout with dual PCI-E slots design. The PCI-e riser cable is optional. Plus, the included riser GPU support bracket not only can prevent the graphic card from sagging, but also helps to reduce the weight on the motherboard.Modular Sound-Damping Design for Silent Cooling System
Built-in sound-damping panels incorporated the top, front, and side panels of the Suppressor F31 to reinforce noise reduction for silent operation. Optimizing cooling performance with removable mounted top panels to expand cooling configurations for both air and liquid cooling solutions. Design and build a custom leading-edge silent operation PC with options for 120/140/200mm cooling fans and liquid cooling support for single, dual and triple radiator applications.Made for High-End PCs with Outstanding Expandability
The Suppressor F31 features its cable management with maximum 50mm in width, and supports up to a tower CPU cooler with maximum height 180mm, and a dual expansion slot VGA of up to 420mm in length without HDD rack. Moreover, the Suppressor F31 has the ability to accommodate multiple 3.5”/2.5” and 5.25” storage devices at the same time. Most importantly, the hidden drive bay design guarantees expandability for more liquid cooling components.Advanced Ventilation
Featuring a width of 250mm, the Suppressor F31 enables users to build a complete high-end system that supports up to triple 120mm, double 140mm liquid cooling radiators or up to 200mm case fans. Additionally, to deliver superior airflow, the Suppressor F31 is preinstalled with a 140mm turban fan at the front, and a 140mm Riing Blue fan at the rear.Further information about the Thermaltake Tempered Glass Edition Chassis is available on:
Core X71 TG – http://www.thermaltake.com/products-model.aspx?id=C_00002998
Core X31 TG – http://www.thermaltake.com/products-model.aspx?id=C_00002997
Suppressor F31 TG–http://www.thermaltake.com/products-model.aspx?id=C_00002999
