Tech News
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EVGA GeForce GTX 980 K|NGP|N Edition with ACX 2.0 Cooler
February 1st, 2015 – The rumors are true, the worlds most advanced GeForce GTX 980 has arrived. The EVGA GeForce GTX 980 K|NGP|N graphics card is meticulously designed for the extreme overclocker. With a 14+3 power phase design, this new digitally controlled VRM can deliver up to 600A of current, all delivered through 3 power inputs, 8pin + 8pin + 6pin. ACX 2.0+ keeps the card running cool, and the ability to go single slot, (with included single slot bracket) makes this one of the sleekest graphics card designed to date.
Vince "K|NGP|N" Lucido is an extreme overclocker who has achieved many 3DMark World Records with EVGA hardware. He contributed to the design of the GTX 980 K|NGP|N Edition graphics card with EVGA, and had this to say:
"The power designs for both the GPU and memory on the EVGA GeForce GTX 980 K|NGP|N graphics card should allow some insane overclocking and some of the highest clockspeeds seen to date. Also, with the new multi-color LED cooler, you can customize the look of the card to fit any system."
Built for Overclocking
- Customizable Lighting – Full color control allows you to fine tune the LED colors to your liking using EVGA PrecisionX 16.
- 14+3 Phase Fully Digital VRM – Improved efficiency and power capacity and an average of 28C cooler operating temperature.
- Single Slot Ready – Included single slot bracket allows you to convert to a true single slot card with waterblock.
- 12 Layer PCB – Robust PCB layout with extra copper for smooth power delivery.
- ACX 2.0+ Cooling & Metal Shroud – Improved cooling with lower fan power consumption and 400% longer fan lifespan. All surrounded in a premium metal shroud.
- EVBot Onboard – Allows robust tuning and control over all aspects of the graphics card.
- Included Backplate – Built on backplate with backlighting allows full control over brightness and color.
- MMCP+ - Memory MOSFET cooling plate provides direct contact with memory and MOSFETs reducing temperature. MMCP+ comes in two separate pieces, allowing you to cool the GPU separately while still using the MMCP on the MOSFETs.
- OTS – Onboard thermal sensors allow for automatic realtime extreme overclock tuning to achieve the highest overclocks possible.
- QST – Quick Switch Triple BIOS allow you to switch to the second or third with the flick of a switch.
- SHP – Straight Heat Pipes offer 6% better heat dissipation than bent heat pipes with reduced thermal resistance.
- dBi – EVGA’s ACX 2.0+ fan turns off below 60C generating 0dB of noise.
Learn more about the new EVGA GeForce GTX 980 K|NGP|N graphics card here: www.evga.com/kingpin
About EVGA
EVGA is the #1 NVIDIA authorized partner in channel sales throughout North America and UK. Based on the philosophy of intelligent innovation, market knowledge, and the real time operation, EVGA continues to identify the need in the market place and providing the solution to that need. By offering product differentiation, 24/7 tech support, a 90 day Step-Up program, and other customer focused programs, EVGA is a clear leader in all categories: etail, retail, distribution, and system integration. With headquarters in Brea, CA, EVGA’s global coverage includes EVGA GmbH in Munich, EVGA LATAM in Miami, and EVGA Hong Kong. For further information online about EVGA, visit: www.evga.com -
Crucial Ballistix Elite DDR4 16GB 2666MHz Memory Kit Review @ Legit Reviews
Crucial appears to be bringing back the Ballistix brand in a big way. Sadly the lights appear to be gone and the styling might be a little bland but 2666Mhz is pretty good.
DDR4 memory isn't exactly mainstream just yet, but that isn't keeping the memory makers from releasing hundreds of memory kits to the market. There are over 200 memory modules listed online at Newegg, so there isn't a shortage of DDR4 memory modules online. Next week Crucial will be introducing the Ballistix Elite DDR4 series of memory modules (product website), which is the premium line for Crucial. Crucial Ballistix Elite DDR4 memory modules start at 2666MHz to ensure users have improved responsiveness, increased frame rates, and optimized latencies.
I keep saying that I need to walk down to the Crucial building and ask for a kit and tour of the office. Would anyone be interested in seeing that?
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NVIDIA Responds to GTX 970 3.5GB Memory Issue
As I'm working a GTX 970 review I am reminded of some things that have been uncovered in the Maxwell generation. In this case there is a performance issue under extremely high memory usage. When addressing more than 3.5GB of memory the GTX 970 will run slower than a GTX 980 under the same conditions.
Having read the explanation over at PCPer I'm in full agreement with Josh.
A few days ago when we were presented with evidence of the 970 not fully utilizing all 4 GB of memory, I theorized that it had to do with the reduction of SMM units. It makes sense from an efficiency standpoint to perhaps "hard code" memory addresses for each SMM. The thought behind that would be that 4 GB of memory is a huge amount of a video card, and the potential performance gains of a more flexible system would be pretty minimal.
I believe that the memory controller is working as intended and not a bug. When designing a large GPU, there will invariably be compromises made. From all indications NVIDIA decided to save time, die size, and power by simplifying the memory controller and crossbar setup. These things have a direct impact on time to market and power efficiency. NVIDIA probably figured that a couple percentage of performance lost was outweighed by the added complexity, power consumption, and engineering resources that it would have taken to gain those few percentage points back. ~ Josh Walrath PCPerIt makes sense that cutting down the GPU would have an impact on how the framebuffer is being used and might explain "why" chips are cut down the way they are. It might also explain why most Nvidia graphics cards only came with 3GB/6GB of memory framebuffer.
Either way the performance problems are only under extreme conditions and while the GTX 970 might be a good price match most gamers the conditions that cause the performance issues are likely best suited for GTX 980 cards anyway.
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SilverStone Raven RV05 @ techPowerUp
The Silverstone Raven 5 is a case that you either love or hate. At first I was rather upset that Silverstone would release a Raven case without an external 5.25" drive bay however, after doing the review the Raven 5 I realized that the intent of the case was more to push the boundaries than to rehash a traditional design.
The SilverStone RV05 is the latest Raven mid-tower chassis with a 90°-turned internal layout. Sporting the same elaborate looks as all other cases in the family, it aims to please the mainstream with its compact size and interesting price tag. Will the RV05 capture our heart or instill fear?
Raven 5 does go back to the traditional 90 degree motherboard orientation and is designed to be a premier aircooling case. However, what makes the Raven 5 interesting isn't the position of the motherboard but rather the size of the case and what Silverstone did to get there.
On a side note: I feel that tower style cases still need external drive bays for optical drives, fan controllers, water reservoirs and even additional storage. The numbers may claim that nobody uses optical drives anymore but in the casemodding world things are a little different.
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Corsair Hydro Series H100i All-In-One CPU Liquid Cooler @ [H]
This is a bit of a blast from the past kind of review.
We continue today reviewing the older Corsair Hydro Series AIO coolers on our modern testing platform. Two years ago the Corsair H100i proved itself to be a solid value when it comes to sealed liquid All-In-One CPU coolers, but how does it perform a couple of years later? We take a look at what the H100i gets you with today's hardware.
Having tested several coolers over the years I can say that unless your AIO cooler is down on liquid or has gummed up fans the performance will be the same "now" as it was "then". The trick is getting the mounting hardware for the new platforms and some of the Corsair AIO coolers had the worst in the industry.
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Neat Video of Thermal Conductivity in Action @ Frostytech
Most everyone knows how heat transfers and that certain materials work has heat conductors while others work as insulators. Here is an interesting video showing you thermal conductivitiy in action. With a twist.
Frostytech has a neat video showing the fundamental difference in heat conductivity between solid copper and a heatpipe. Picked this up at Computex a while back. Note how quickly the top of the heatpipe increases to 56.1C in the 60seconds after submersion into the cup of hot water!
The video is show you the effects of a heatpipe in warm water compaired to a solid copper rod.
You'll need the faceballz to watch this one.
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NVIDIA GTX 960 Launch Day
Maxwell, the new GPU core from NVIDIA has been making headlines over the past several months from amazing gaming accolades to record overclocks above 2Ghz. And, why not, the GPU is fast, power efficent and does 4k with ease.
NVIDIA claims that the 60-series cards (GTX 660, GTX 760) embody the "sweet spot" when it comes to gaming GPUs. The new GTX 960 should serve as the new performance leader in mainstream gaming once again giving gamers a reason to upgrade..
Web Reviews
- SLI review: ASUS GeForce GTX 960 Strix @ Guru3D
- nVidia Geforce GTX 960 @ HardwareSpot
- Zotac GTX 960 AMP!-edition @ Bjorn3d
- ASUS STRIX GTX 960 Video Card Review @ Legit Reviews
- MSI GeForce GTX 960 GAMING Video Card Review @ HardOCP
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 Review With EVGA And ASUS @ HotHardware
- EVGA GTX 960 SSC 2 GB @ techPowerUp
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960: A Great $200 GPU For Linux Gamers @ Phoronix
- GIGABYTE GTX 960 G1 Gaming Review @ Vortez
- Asus GTX 960 Strix @ LanOC Reviews
- Nvidia's GeForce GTX 960 graphics card reviewed @ TechReport
- NVIDIA GTX 960 Performance Review @ Hardware Canucks
- ASUS Strix Edition GeForce GTX 960 Graphics Card Review @ TechgageBe sure to check out our own review of the EVGA GTX 960
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Crucial Ballistix Sport DDR4-2400 Memory Review
I'm not sure if the marketing department at Crucial watches this site like they used to but, if they are. "Hi guys, I'm still local
, the team and I need to come visit you one of these days"TechnologyX has a quick review posted of the new 2400Mhz DDR4 Ballistix Sport memory modules and they look decent!
In the world of computer components, RAM is rarely ever a hot-topic, unlike processors and graphics cards that see new products come to market every couple of months, with new product generations every year. RAM is essentially always RAM; not much changes very often. Having said that, the last few months have been historic, as computer memory is more exciting than ever. Why? Next-generation DDR4 memory standard has reached mass-market availability and consumers want to know what, if anything has changed.
Well, today we’re going to try to answer some of your questions as we get the pleasure of reviewing Crucial’s Ballistix Sport DDR4-2400 32GB quad-channel memory kit.I personally haven't used a Crucial memory module in years however, I still have some of the first gen DDR modules with the awesome activity lights across the top and they still bring a smile to my face. Oh, the memories.
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New Podcast and Capture System Build
It has been a couple weeks since CES 2015 concluded and things are just now getting back to normal. I do regret not visiting more people during the show but as I have mentioned before the CES show is more about relationship building than the tech. At least in how it pertains to Hardware Asylum.
The first order of business post CES was the building of a specialized PC for the Hardware Asylum Podcast. This box will replace my aging Asus Slate as the primary recording machine and will open up a variety of new directions we can take. The new machine is a simple box consisting of "extra" parts I had laying around the Hardware Asylum Labs and while it may be a little overkill for recording audio that won't be its only purpose.
The System
Core i7 4770k
MSI Z97i Gaming
Corsair Dominator Platinum 8GB
Samsung 120GB SSD
Toshiba 1TB HDD
Avermedia Game Broadcaster HD
InWin BP655 MiniITX ChassisSome of you may remember this build from my MSI MOA qualifier where I attempted to broadcast my overclocking runs on Twitch.TV. Sadly the internet here in the lab isn't all that great so instead I messed around with OBS and recorded some things.
Well, the system has been repurposed and with any luck will help bring some variety to the Podcast and my rare overclocking runs.
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Gigabyte Raptor Gaming Mouse @ PureOverclock
Raptor gaming mouse you say? Why yes, this is a mouse named for a very cool bird, that eats rodents.
Gigabyte is targeting a rather specific crowd in the gaming peripheral world: those who want a claw-style mouse. We don’t see many of these, and the Gigabyte Raptor gaming mouse looks sleek and comes with a few interesting features. Not only is it a claw mouse, but it’s also nearly ambidextrous. Interesting, to be sure. But will it alienate mainstream users, or zero in on those who want something special? Let’s take a closer look at the Gigabyte Raptor and make the call.
I do like the colors but can never seem to get past the crazy squared off edges.
