Tech News
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No Podcast This Month
Hate to make this a repeating thing but due to #CES2015 and various other scheduling conflicts there will not be a Hardware Asylum Podcast episode this month.
We should be back on schedule for February with an extended mainshow followed by the ever popular and un-edited "Extra"
Thanks for listening!!
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January Custom Case Giveaway
Hello Everyone, As was announced in the latest Hardware Asylum Podcast Extra I am hosting a custom case giveaway this month featuring the famed HAF Stacker and super cool Raven 4. Both cases are painted up in a tasteful shade of Automotive Pearl Orange and ready to go out the door.
Check out the contest page for more details on how to enter.
The contest ends on January 31st
Good Luck!
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The Best PC Cases of 2014 @ ThinkComputers
You know I have done an article like this before, it was called "The 4 Best X79 Motherboards - You will never see" and was basically looking at limited edition motherboards and how quickly the products get moved to EOL status, sometimes within weeks of their launch.
I can respect doing round-ups of review products and know that case reviews are few and far between but, ya, some of the cases on this list.
ThinkComputers is excited to bring you our own twist on the yearly list. For some people who are putting together a system their PC case is not high on the priority list, but for serious system builders and enthusiasts a PC case is extremely important. Your PC case of course holds your hardware, but it is also something to show off that hardware. We have reviewed quite a few different PC cases this year, I think out of all products we review cases the most. So we present to you 2014’s Best PC Cases as reviewed by ThinkComputers.
Lets see if I was to compile a list.
Most over the top: InWin S-Frame
Best SFF: Azza-Z
Best Case of 2014: Silverstone Raven 5 -
Func MS-2 Gaming Mouse @ PureOverclock
As I sit here struggling with a soon to be broken button my loyal trusty Logitech G5 I have started looking at gaming mice. Sure, there have been plenty of mouse reviews on Hardware Asylum but they have all been done by other reviewers leaving me with an idea as to what I want but nothing really to try out.
I'm pretty sure the Func MS-2 isn't going to be on "my" list but maybe it will work out for you.
We’ve recently seen a few new products Func, a company that has been making a push further into the gaming peripheral market. The lastest is the MS-2 gaming mouse, with premium features but an affordable price tag. However, the MS-2 sits right in the midst of a highly competitive mouse market dominated by several very popular products, backed by industry stalwarts that have ruled the roost for quite some time. That may change, however, as the MS-2 looks to battle the competition with bold claims of better features and solid ergonomics. Can the Func MS-2 capture our attention and live up to expectations? Let’s find out.
As they say, there is a lot of mice in the sea, go catch you some.
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ADATA Launches its Gold Edition XPG Z1 DDR4 Overclocking Memory
Taipei, Taiwan – December 30, 2014 – ADATA® Technology, a leading manufacturer of high-performance DRAM modules and NAND Flash application products, today launches the Gold Edition of its XPG Z1 DDR4 overclocking memory, clocking in at the outrageously high speeds of 3000/3200/3300/3333MHz. Besides supporting the latest Intel® Haswell-E platform, ADATA’s XPG Z1 Gold Edition DDR4 also provides ultimate performance for gamers, overclockers and PC enthusiasts, and also features higher power efficiency.
Performance Matched by Great Power EfficiencyDDR4 memory surpasses legacy DDR3 with improved performance and lower power consumption. The operating voltage of XPG Z1 has decreased from 1.5V to 1.35V, a 10% reduction of power that helps your system operate at a lower temperature for more stable operation. With speeds of up to 3333MHz, CL16-16-16 timings and a transfer bandwidth reaching 26.6GB/s, the XPG Z1 Gold Edition provides unparalleled data transfer efficiency. In addition, the built-in Intel® XMP 2.0 Serial Presence Detect (SPD) allows quick and easy installation without changing BIOS settings, all while facilitating full system usage and enhanced stability. This adds up to a true game-winner for overclockers seeking an extra edge.Looks Cool, Acts Cool!The XPG Z1 Gold Edition features a jet wing-inspired design with a race-car carbon texture that embodies the pursuit of extreme performance. Thanks to its unique Thermal Conductive Technology and 10-layer PCBs with 2oz of pure copper, the XPG Z1’s chips contact the heat sinks directly, thus ensuring that the IC and PCB operate at an evenly distributed temperature. This lends to a markedly reduced electrical resistance and reduced power consumption. Combined as one unit, all of these attributes bolster the XPG Z1’s signal transfer quality and overall performance.Maximum Durability and ReliabilityThe XPG Z1 DDR4 DRAM memory module is made with high-quality chips selected through a strict quality filtering process. It also uses top quality Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) that effectively extend its serviceable lifespan. Additionally, ADATA memory modules provide customers a lifetime warranty for maximum assurance, all backed by excellent customer service.About ADATAADATA Technology, one of the world’s largest vendors of DRAM Modules and USB Flash Drives, provides complete memory solutions, including memory cards, solid state drives, and portable hard drives. ADATA products are internationally recognized by Germany’s iF Design Award, red dot Award, CES Best of Innovations Award, Japan’s Good Design Award, Best Choice of Computex Award, and Taiwan Excellence Gold Award. The company’s slogan of Love, Life, Dreams, embodies the ADATA brand and the role of innovative memory products in the human pursuit of universally cherished ideas. For more information, please visit www.adata.com. -
Asus Crossblade Ranger @ LanOC Reviews
Ummm. Crossblade Ranger?
So last week I took a look at Asus’s AM3+ board, today I have the chance to take a look at a more recent AMD based ROG board called the Crossblade Ranger. Asus launched the Crossblade Ranger not to long ago and as you can tell from the lack of any numbers in the name this is their first Republic of Gamers FM2+ board. Why did they take so long to bring one out? Frankly the FM2+ platform was always designed to be more of a mainstream platform but that didn’t stop some people from using them for gaming. Asus noticed there was interest in a gaming focused board and here we are. Today I’m going to dive into the Crossblade Ranger and see what kind of features Asus packed in then after that I will get it on the testbench and make sure it performs like it should as well.
The name reminds me of the "Flaming Blade" from Foxconn back in the day. The motherboard looked awesome but didn't really have a good name.
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ASUS GTX 980 STRIX DC II OC Video Card Review @ [H]
I never fully understood how [H] tests their video cards using the subjective image IQ method but when you have an overpowered GPU like the GTX 980 it really doesn't matter.
Today we delve into the ASUS GTX 980 STRIX DC II OC, which features custom cooling, 0dB fans and high overclocking potential. We'll experiment with this Maxwell GPU by overclocking it to the extreme. It will perform head to head against the ASUS ROG R9 290X MATRIX-P in today's most demanding games, including Far Cry
The nice thing about the STRIX card is that it should come with a factory overclock (though seesm to be missing), larger cooler and upgraded VRM for LN2 action if you are so inclined. Their overclocking tests look pretty good though they didn't compensate for "real" turbo speeds bur rather relied on what GPU-Z was reporting.
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Asylum Review Block: Motherboards and the stuff that holds them
I have an amazing review block for you today and this one stretches even back a month or so. First up is a long list of motherboard reviews including a few Asus titles and a *cough*ECS*/cough* board that someone will think is the ducks guts.
After your motherboard tour I bring you to the case section, be sure to check out the Thermaltake designs, they are aimed to please (if you catch my drift)
Motherboards without daughterboards for your building pleasure
- Asus Crosshair V Formula-Z @ LanOC Reviews
- ASUS Maximus VII Impact LGA 1150 Motherboard Review @ [H]
- Gigabyte X99-UD7 WiFi Mainboard Review on Technic3D
- ASRock X99 OC Formula Motherboard Review – Designed For Overclocking <-what a dumb way to send out your news release
- ECS Z97 Machine Motherboard Review @ Guru3D
- ASUS X99-A Motherboard Review @ Legit Reviews
- Asus Z97 Pro (Wi-Fi ac) Socket 1150 Motherboard Review @ HotHardware
- ASRock Z97 Anniversary Motherboard @ Hardware Secrets
- ASUS X99-A LGA 2011-v3 Motherboard Review @ [H]
- ASUS X99 Rampage V Extreme Motherboard @ PureOverclock
- ASUS RAMPAGE V Extreme review @ Bjorn3d
Cases aka Chassis for your junk
- Thermaltake Core V71 Case Review on Technic3D
- Lian Li PC-O5SX @ techPowerUp
- Surprise, Surprise – Thermaltake Core V51 Mid-Tower Chassis Review @ Techgage
- SilverStone Raven RVZ01 @ techPowerUp <- classy and small
- In Win D-Frame Mini Case Review @ ThinkComputers
- Thermaltake Core V51 Midi Tower Review @ NikKTech
- Corsair's Carbide Series Air 240 revisited <- npt sure why but all of their news has single quotes, they must want the XSS attackStay tuned there will likely be another review block in the next few weeks along with from friendly banter back and forth.
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ASUS ROG GeForce GTX 980 Poseidon review @ Guru3D
Not much I can say about this. It is a factory watercooled GTX 980 from Asus that can operate on air or water depending on your system configuration.
so, its like a frog right? Yes
Join us in a review of the liquid cooled ASUS ROG Poseidon GTX 980. The card has 4 GB graphics memory, is energy efficient and factory overclocked for you. Oh and hey, it overclocks very nicely as it is armed with a massive liquid cooling block (DirectCU H2O), a custom PCB, quality components and a factory overclock this product is bound to perform, whilst staying silent.
The card also features a custom VRM so it should overclock rather well. Break out the ice cubes we're going chilled.
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Say what? Mobile is Exploding!!
Ok, so this is interesting.
I have been checking some things and the readership of this site has changed a little. As of this month only 37% of readers are located in the US and while my snapshot is showing 82% of them are using mobile devices the total readership of mobile users is only 15%.
Looks like I have to do a better job attracting US readers (Thanks Google) and need to build a mobile friendly CSS. The new layout works well on a tablet but it doesn't scale well when viewed on a phone.
