Tech News
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Anidees AI-Crystal Tempered Glass Chassis review @ Guru3D
Ever since InWin released a case using tempered glass as a side panel there has been a mad rush to take advantage of the hype. I will admit tempered glass looks damn sweet but damn people there is a limit to what you "should" do.
#justsayin
Anidees released their all new AI-Crystal PC mid tower chassis, a product series that is designed for ease of use and terrific looks as the side panels and the front panel have been fitted with nice dark tempered glass. And that gives this chassis series a little extra boom-boom-pow. Wanna have a peek?
The case is pretty plain, controls on the top and glass all around. It makes for nice viewing of your fans and computer gear, provided you can keep it clean.
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Case Mod Friday: Phanteks Evolv ATX Tempered Glass Edition @ ThinkComputers
I have reviewed a good number of cases over the years and by far one of my faves is the Phanteks Evolv. It was something I talked about on the Hardware Asylum Podcast Episode 64 and I fully intend to do a mod and build using the Tempered Glass edition of that case.
Every Friday Thinkcomputers does a quick post of a casemod they find around the web (well, which is submitted to them) and this one caught my attention.
Welcome to another Case Mod Friday showcase! This week we have GGF Lan Party's "Phanteks Evolv ATX Tempered Glass Edition" build. Here is what they had to say about it, "We've finished our Phanteks Evolv ATX Tempered Glass Edition build and this time we have gone with a funky yellow theme. Once again we've added a custom stats screen in the build as we find these really add that special touch.
Back in the day I wanted to do something similar but make it more like a gallery that people vote on. e.g. the Hot or Not of casemodding. Maybe I'll finally make that happen.
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EVGA X99 FTW K Motherboard Review @ Modders-Inc
The EVGA X99 refresh boards are by far some of the best I have seen. That might sound like a bold statement but when it comes down to actually using a motherboard some of the extras used to sell a product just to get in the way.
Most of EGVA's products are no frill, hell on wheels, performance yielding beasts. What I mean by that, is rarely do you see EVGA products with extra "features". EVGA tends to spend more time developing how to get more performance out of their products. At Computex 2016, EVGA introduced a slew new and updated products, one of which is the..
So dramatic, I guess to fully understand what they are talking about you'll have to check out the review.
Or you can check out my review of the EVGA X99 FTW K Edition over here.
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A closer look at async compute in 3DMark Time Spy
Here is a technical article related to the new DX12 benchmark from Futuremark called Time Spy. I have used this benchmark in the latest GTX 1060 review and really like the visuals. There isn't much in terms of particle effects but each of the display cases features a scene from a past 3DMark benchmark including a few some I didn't recognize.
Every Futuremark benchmark is accompanied by a detailed technical guide that explains how the test works, what it measures, and how the scores are calculated. We create these guides to provide transparency to hardware press who use our benchmarks for reviews, to our industry customers, and for technically-minded gamers and overclockers.
The aim of the technical guide is to bridge the gap between code-level implementation that requires expert knowledge and a typical enthusiast's understanding of modern APIs and real-time graphics. But, occasionally, there is enough interest and excitement around a new feature or technique that a more detailed look is called for. One such technique in DirectX 12 is asynchronous compute.
In this post, we'll explain how command lists, command queues, and specifically, asynchronous compute are used in 3DMark Time Spy.
Before we dive into the technical details, it is worth explaining how we make benchmarks at Futuremark and the steps we take to ensure that our tests are accurate, relevant, and impartial.Be sure to check out the full article for more detailed information. -
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 Launch Day
Yay video card launch day! I have an unsanctioned review of the Gigabyte GTX 1060 D5 posted so be sure to check that out. Of course if that isn't good enough for you try clicking on the links below.
Web Reviews
- Palit GeForce GTX 1060 Super Jetstream Review
- GeForce GTX 1060 Founders Edition Reviews (why the "s" at the end, silly)
- NVIDIA and EVGA GeForce GTX 1060 Video Card Review @ Legit Reviews
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 Founders Edition Review @ [H]
- The NVIDIA GTX 1060 6GB Review @ Hardware Canucks (So official, they included a "the")
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 Offers Great Performance On Linux @ Phoronix (yes, yes it does)
- NVIDIA GTX 1060 Founders Edition Review @ Vortez
- Nvidia GTX 1060 Founders Edition @ LanOC Reviews
- MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X 6 GB @ techPowerUp
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB @ techPowerUpGTX 1060 is quite good with plenty of power where it is needed and yet still struggles with the big res with high detail. Not really a bad thing, in fact it shows that software can still keep up with the hardware, despite what the internet tells you.
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Gigabyte launches two new GeForce GTX 1070 graphics cards
Here is a clip from the Digitimes article.
Gigabyte Technology has announced the availability of two new variants of GeForce GTX 1070 graphics cards. They are the small form factor GTX 1070 Mini ITX OC Edition (GV-N1070IXOC-8GD) and the dual-fan GTX 1070 Windforce OC Edition (GV-N1070WF2OC-8GD).
Measuring 17cm in length, the GTX 1070 Mini ITX OC Edition is designed for building compact gaming PC or HTPC powered by the latest Pascal GPU. Equipped with three pure copper heat pipes that directly sit on GPU and a single 90mm blade fan with semi-passive cooling, the cooling module is able to dissipate heat effectively while keeping the fan operating at a low noise level, according to the vendor.
Engineered with the Ultra Durable chokes and capacitors, the graphic card ensures performance and durable system lifespan. Compared to the reference's 4+1 power phase design, the card is built for overclocking with the 5+1 power phases, making the MOSFET working at a lower temperature for more stable voltage output.
[snip]These cards are not only small but come with OC buttons and Windforce coolers. Back in the day a PC had what they call a "Turbo" button. Normally this was always pressed however certain programs would only run if the PC was at a particular speed. Advances in programming got away from this but the alure of a turbo button lives on,
This time on a video card.
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AMD Radeon RX 480 8GB CrossFire Review @ [H]
This should be pretty good. Two AMD RX 480's in Crossfire in an attempt to topple the founders edition.
We were lucky enough to get our hands on two AMD Radeon RX 480 8GB video cards last week. We configured these in CrossFire to find out if $480 of brand new AMD GPUs can beat NVIDIA's new $700 GeForce GTX 1080 Founders Edition, just like Raja Koduri suggested to enthusiasts from Computex. And we throw in GeForce GTX 1070 too.
Haven't seen the review yet but my money is on.. GTX 1080. That is until the 480's are overclocked. Then all hell breaks loose.
Funny thing is, AMD still has faster cards to release so you have to wonder why, but then again if you are asking that and still reading this.. Ya get to clicking, link is below
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Toshiba OCZ RD400 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD @ CustomPCReview
NVMe is basically the interface for SSD drives and happens to be the current standard required to make the most of solid state storage.
At least for now.
Thing is, getting an NVMe drive is difficult, like pull your hair out looking for a BFG GTX275 video card kind of difficult. Eventually supplies will get better and until then you have two choices.
Samsung or Toshiba
Since then, we’ve come quite a ways away thanks to industrywide adoption of PCIe and NVMe, finally paving the way for mass market adoption of PCIe SSDs. Although during the course of the journey OCZ has gone through a bankruptcy and a subsequent acquisition by Toshiba, they’re still continuing to innovate in the PCIe arena
This is still a M.2 drive and it will be awhile until U.2 drives are on the market. Unless Bono decides to complain about it.
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Gigabyte X99-Ultra Gaming (with Broadwell-E) @ techPowerUp
With a name like "Ultra Gaming" it has to be good right?
We test the Gigabyte X99-Ultra Gaming with the latest Intel 20-core Broadwell-E processor. This new motherboard comes with both Intel and KillerNIC LAN, U.2 and M.2 drive support, USB 3.1 Type-C, and audio-tailored for gaming. It also supports multiple videocards and to look pretty it provides fantastic LED lighting.
I am currently testing the Z170x Ultra Gaming board from Gigabyte and honestly find the LEDs to be a little too much. Sure they are bright and highlight some interesting areas of the board but are hidden quick once you start installing your hardware.
At least with the X99 edition you have some actual red and white accents to make the board visually appealing.
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Gigabyte Mod2Win Concept Winners Announced
Earlier this month I had submitted a modding concept for the Gigabyte Mod2Win 30th anniversary casemodding competition in hopes of winning one of their build packages. Well, the winners have been announced.
and.. I didn't get selected.
However, some great concepts did get picked including a scratch build in the shape of a big 30, a triangle shaped scratch build and finally a pretty typical build that was all blue and black.
I will admit the competition was tough and while the majority of the submissions were pretty "builds" there were a few mods including a few that might be difficult to pull off.
Be sure to check out the modders-inc.com forums for ongoing activities related to the #Mod2Win contest. It goes on until November of this year and while the "build package" was just an incentive to get people started in the contest that doesn't exclude others from sniping in at the last minute.
