Tech News
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Unlock the Full Potential of the New ROG Maximus XII Formula With EK VRM Bridge
Published: Thursday, April 30, 2020 | By: DennisIn the column of "cash grab" and "most worthless part ever" we have this.
What we have is a distro block that connects the CrossChill VRM cooler found on the ASUS ROG Maximus XII Formula (Ideally already designed and sourced from EK) to an EK waterblock that you place on the CPU.
So, instead of connecting a pipe from your CrossChill to the CPU block you place this distro plate over the whole thing covering the EK block you just bought and the sleek VRM cooler you paid EXTRA for. Not to mention the Maximus XII Formula is already a $500.00 USD motherboard so I have to ask "why?"
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EK, the leading liquid cooling gear manufacturer, is ready to support the newly-released ROG Maximus XII Formula motherboard with a unique, patent-pending liquid distribution VRM Bridge. The EK-Quantum Momentum VRM Bridge ROG Maximus XII Formula D-RGB is a purpose-engineered connection piece that bridges the existing integrated CrossChill EK III VRM cooling and the CPU water block into a single entity. The ROG Maximus XII Formula is the carrier of the iconic Maximus motherboard series, while the EK-developed VRM Bridge solution will help bring out its full potential.
The EK-Quantum Momentum VRM Bridge
The EK-Quantum Momentum VRM Bridge is the only off-the-shelf solution that will bridge multiple liquid cooling components with a unique mounting mechanism. It is specially made for the ROG Maximus XII Formula, and upgrading from any previous motherboard will be easy since you’ll be able to reuse any of the existing Intel-socket-compatible EK-Quantum Velocity CPU water blocks.
EK’s RnD team spent countless hours developing and perfecting this VRM Bridge solution. And since diamonds are made under pressure, after several iterations, the result was a second to none diamond-shaped product that impeccably integrates with aesthetics of the ROG Maximus XII Formula motherboard.
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Now, I will give them this. the VRM bridge does look cool and I'm sure some idiots will be tripping over themselves to get one.
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ASRock Z490 PG Velocita Preview @ TechPowerUp
Published: Thursday, April 30, 2020 | By: DennisACEEEEEEEE RoCK!!!!!
I shouldn't embelish too much, they only ever sent over one motherboard for review and last time I talked to them at Computex they pimped their GPU Mining rigs. *roll*
However, this board is pretty cool, per the usual it looks like an ASUS Strix with different colors.
The ASRock Z490 PG Velocita is ready for Comet Lake with Socket LGA 1200. "Velocita" is ASRock's latest edition to the award-winning Phantom Gaming motherboard line and features 2.5 Gb/s LAN, PCIe 4.0 readiness, and an uncompromising VRM thermal solution with three fans.
I am very impressed that they had a sample on hand to get photos so, props!
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COLORFUL Launches iGame Z490 VULCAN X V20 and CVN Z490 GAMING PRO V20 Motherboards
Published: Thursday, April 30, 2020 | By: DennisApril 30th, 2020 Shenzhen, China – Colorful Technology Company Limited, professional manufacturer of graphics cards, motherboards, all-in-one gaming and multimedia solutions and high-performance storage is proud to announce its latest line-up of Intel motherboards featuring the Intel Z490 chipset – the iGame Z490 VULCAN X V20 and CVN Z490 GAMING PRO V20 motherboards. Designed to support the latest 10th generation Intel Core processors, these motherboards feature the latest cutting-edge technologies to create the ultimate desktop PC for high-performance gaming and content creation.
For faster networking, the latest COLORFUL Z490 series motherboards come equipped with the latest Wi-Fi 6 standard and 2.5 Gigabit LAN. The motherboards also sport new looks with futuristic styling with immersive RGB lighting. It also features advanced thermal technologies to keep the system running smooth and stable.
iGame Z490 Vulcan X V20: Serious Power for Power Users
The iGame Z490 Vulcan X V20 packs serious firepower to knockout triple-A games and demanding content creation workloads with a combination of the latest technologies and cutting-edge thermal cooling. The iGame Z490 Vulcan X V20 supports up to a 10-core 10th generation Intel Core processor and its 12+2 power phase design offers superb CPU overclocking for advanced users. Furthermore, it sports futuristic CyberPunk styling with immersive RGB lighting in multiple lighting zones. The motherboard has dual Turbo M.2 slots with Intel Optane Technology support for the latest and fastest NVMe drives. For lag-free gaming, the iGame Z490 Vulcan X V20 comes with an Intel 2.5 Gigabit LAN and an Intel Wi-Fi 6 wireless networking. The iGame Z490 Vulcan X is the perfect choice for power users that wants to harness the full power of the 10th generation Intel Core processors.
Key Features:
14-phase I.P.P iGame Pure Power: 12+2 Power Phase design with 8+4-pin ATX power connectors to deliver superb overclocking stability to the 10th generation Intel Core processor.
Silver Shark 2.0 Cooling Armor: Made using advanced Aluminum extrusion, the heatsink armor has an improved air fin design that increases contact area delivering improved heat dissipation.
iGame Vacuum Heating Tube: COLORFUL’s advanced VRM MOSFET heatsink with improved heat transfer efficiency that effectively reduces power supply temperature in CPU overclocking.
COLORFUL Advanced BIOS: Update BIOS without CPU and memory. The BIOS has a Simple Mode offering average users a user-friendly BIOS interface and an Advanced Mode offering full functionality that meets the needs of advanced users.
Intel Networking: Latest Intel I225-V 2.5Gigabit LAN controller and Intel AX201 Wi-Fi 6 wireless network card to deliver ultra-fast networking for gaming and content creation.
CVN Z490 GAMING PRO V20: Ultimate Gaming Motherboard
The CVN Z490 GAMING PRO V20 is the ultimate gaming motherboard sporting all the essential features for building a high-performance gaming PC. The motherboard supports up to a 10-core 10th generation Intel Core processor and comes with a 10-power phase design. The motherboard features the new iGame Dynamik Light software that controls addressable RGB lighting and synchronize with other supported ARGB devices. The CVN Z490 GAMING PRO V20 delivers immersive gaming audio with its Realtek HD audio chip with Hi-Fi Audio Chip Guard and Nichicon Audio Capacitor to deliver pure high-definition audio.
Key Features:
iGame Dynamik Light Software: Controls supported ARGB lighting connected on the three 5V 3-Pin ARGB and two 12V 4-Pin RGB connectors of the motherboard. Software offers full customization and synchronization with other supported ARGB devices.
Hi-Fi Audio and Audio Golden Line: Realtek Audio Chip with Hi-Fi Audio Chip Guard to eliminate interference and deliver pure high-definition sound while Audio Golden Line effectively reduce high frequency noise.
Nichicon Audio Capacitor: Premium-grade capacitors that delivers high quality sound. -
Patriot P300 512GB M.2 PCIe SSD Review @ CDRLabs
Published: Monday, April 27, 2020 | By: DennisSome say that NVMe is the name of the game. Others say that winning the game is the only thing that matters. And, well the winners combine the two.
Patriot's P300 SSD is a great choice for the cost-conscious consumer looking to boost the performance and storage capacity of their desktop or notebook computer. This compact, M.2 form factor SSD is powered by Phison's PS5013-E13T controller and is available with up to 1TB of KIOXIA's (Toshiba) 96-layer BiCS4 3D NAND. Combine this with a PCIe Gen3 x4 NVMe 1.3 interface and you have a drive capable of delivering 25% higher transfer speeds and IOPs than PCIe Gen3 x2 solutions. In our sequential read and write tests, the 512GB version of the P300 was able to read at speeds as high as 1,740 MB/s and write at speeds in excess of 1,549 MB/s. It also did reasonably well in our random write tests, producing nearly 159,000 IOPS, but lagged behind many of the other PCIe SSDs when doing random reads at low queue depths
I'm not going to say that the P300 is the fastest drive out there but it is pretty darn affordable and the way I see it, any chance you can run a NVMe drive in your rig you are on the path towards a great thing called faster response time.
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ASUS Prime X299 Edition 30 @ TechPowerUp
Published: Monday, April 27, 2020 | By: DennisMotherboards have come a long way. What was once just a PCB has transformed into industrial works of art with epic shrouds, integrated lights, strategic reinforcements and amazing performance. The only thing missing is not knowing what will happen next.
During Computex 2019 I got to see the ASUS X299 refresh motherboards and one of the highlights was their 30 year anniversary X299 Prime. The board is an amazing work of art with just the right amount of everything.
The ASUS Prime X299 Edition 30 is a celebration of 30 years of design innovation by one of the world's most prominent hardware manufacturers. Featuring active VRM cooling, 16 Vcore power stages, an OLED display, and a new Smart Control Console, can this flagship stand up to 30 years of high expectations?
I like how the reviewer baits us with a question asking if the board can stand up to 30 years of high expectations. I’m pretty sure 30 years ago nobody at Asus could have imagined a board like this would ever get released or even see the need for all that fluff just getting in the way and raising the cost.
30 years ago was a different time and this is the board of the future.
Actually, the board isn't much different from what you would find with any X299 ROG, just a different paint job and a few less gaming features.
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Antec P82 Flow Computer Case Review @ APH Networks
Published: Monday, April 27, 2020 | By: DennisAntec, now there is a name I haven't heard in a long time.
You know, back in the day Antec was pretty good and really one of the few names in town offering custom computer hardware. Sadly, the luster has been lost but, every once in awhile something will slip out, a little nugget and it is up to us to decide if it is gold or...
The Antec P82 Flow is sleek looking computer chassis with tempered glass and a focus on airflow, but has room for improvement when it comes to cable management and fan control
For this case, I'm not sure what to think. They claim "Flow" and given the number of fans I can see why. I also see that YT channels are crapping all over this case due to the "GN Effect" where cases without direct airflow get highlighted as bad products. There are no bad products just bad reviewers applying their standards to products that aren't in the same league and then exploiting it for clickbait.
Or we can compare it to dating. Reviewer sees a dime but is so far out of their league they miss the true gems because of misplaced standards.
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Corsair Dark Core RGB Gaming Mouse
Published: Monday, April 27, 2020 | By: DennisLooks like Corsair is at it again with their coordinated launch of gaming hardware and this time they are hitting us with a wireless mouse. Despite the claims that wireless mice are actually pretty good I'm old school in saying that wired hardware is the best. Heck wired anything typically offers better performance and is often times cheaper.
Check out some of the web reviews for the Corsair Dark Core RGB Pro: (cause: you know Corsair didn't send me one, again...)
- Corsair Dark Core RGB Pro @ TechPowerUp
- Corsair Dark Core RGB Pro Gaming Mouse Review @ ThinkComputers.org
- CORSAIR DARK CORE RGB PRO SE Wireless FPS/MOBA Gaming Mouse Review @ Madshrimps.be
- Corsair Dark Core RGB Pro Wireless Optical Mouse Review @ APH Networks
- Corsair Dark Core RGB Pro? gaming mouse @ Guru3D
- CORSAIR Dark Core RGB PRO SE Review @ VortezOne of these days I might finally get Corsair to send me something, its only been something like 17 years!!
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NVIDIA Announces GTC 2020 Keynote with CEO Jensen Huang Set for May 14
Published: Friday, April 24, 2020 | By: DennisGet Amped for Latest Platform Breakthroughs in AI, Deep Learning, Autonomous Vehicles, Robotics and Professional Graphics
SANTA CLARA, Calif., April 24, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NVIDIA will release its GTC 2020 keynote address, featuring founder and CEO Jensen Huang, on YouTube on May 14, at 6 a.m. Pacific time.
Huang will highlight the company’s latest innovations in AI, high performance computing, data science, autonomous machines, healthcare and graphics during the recorded keynote. Participants will be able to view the keynote on demand at www.youtube.com/nvidia.
Originally scheduled for March 23, the GTC 2020 keynote was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. NVIDIA moved the conference online, where the GTC Digital event has attracted more than 45,000 registered attendees who have participated in 300 recorded talks and dozens of instructor-led sessions.
Announcements included in the keynote will be posted at nvidianews.nvidia.com.
About NVIDIA
NVIDIA’s (NASDAQ: NVDA) invention of the GPU in 1999 sparked the growth of the PC gaming market, redefined modern computer graphics and revolutionized parallel computing. More recently, GPU deep learning ignited modern AI — the next era of computing — with the GPU acting as the brain of computers, robots and self-driving cars that can perceive and understand the world. More information at http://nvidianews.nvidia.com/. -
Micron Expands Crucial NVMe SSD Line to Offer Next-Level Performance
Published: Tuesday, April 21, 2020 | By: DennisNew Crucial P5 and P2 SSDs give PC and gaming enthusiasts a full range of powerful options
BOISE, Idaho, April 21, 2020 — Gamers, content creators and everyday computer users now have powerful performance options to match their budget with Crucial’s new full line of NVMe SSDs.
Crucial, Micron’s leading global brand of memory and storage, introduced the new Crucial P5 and P2 SSDs today, expanding its NVMe PCIe solid-state drive portfolio beyond the award-winning P1 SSD. The new drives extend Crucial’s P-series product line to offer exceptional speeds, large capacities and durable data protection. Customers can expect the perfect upgrade for their unique computing needs, built with Micron innovation and available at a competitive price.
P5 SSD
The Crucial P5 SSD is engineered for serious gamers and creative professionals who demand quick response times when editing, designing, gaming and multitasking. The drive features read/write speeds up to 3400/3000MB/s, delivers seamless performance with Micron’s TLC 3D NAND technology and controller, and offers capacities ranging from 250GB to 2TB for ample storage. This powerful combination allows operating systems and apps to open quickly and games to load easily so users are ready to play.
“The Crucial P5 is our fastest and most innovative SSD product to date, pushing the capabilities of NVMe Gen 3 to meet the demands of a rapidly growing market,” said Teresa Kelley, vice president of Micron Consumer Products Group. “PC and gaming enthusiasts will find that the P5 was built to answer their call for high performance and processing power.”
For gamers who want battle-ready PCs and on-the-go professionals who demand laptops that work as hard as they do, the P5 is built to be reliable. Dynamic write acceleration, error correction algorithms and adaptive thermal protection work together to optimize performance and durability. Crucial SSDs also undergo thousands of validation hours and dozens of qualification tests. The P5’s endurance is rated at MTTF greater than two million hours for extended longevity. Data security is also enhanced with rapid, full-drive encryption capability, helping to protect data from security threats without performance degradation.
P2 SSD
Ordinary download speeds are often a source of frustration. Computer users want more power at a price that fits within their budget. Built for value-conscious customers looking for a fast, affordable SSD, the Crucial P2, accelerated by NVMe technology, doesn’t scrimp on speed. For multitaskers, that means faster data transfers and quicker access to files for a more productive day. The new P2 SSD is available in capacities up to 1TB.“Whether people are upgrading an existing system or planning a new build, the Crucial P2 gives them power and dependability,” said Kelley. “We are one of the few SSD manufacturers that designs and manufactures our own NAND. Engineered with Micron expertise and rigorously tested at every stage of development, the P2 is built on a 40-year legacy of innovation and high-quality products.”
Easy Installation and Support
The P5 and P2 SSDs will be available at crucial.com and through select global partners. The drives are backed by Crucial’s five-year limited warranty and easy to install with the help of an owner’s manual, screwdriver and the Crucial SSD installation guide. It provides easy-to-follow steps and videos for stress-free installation. Acronis® True Image™ HD software helps to migrate data quickly and easily. The Crucial Storage Executive software tool allows users to see how much storage (GB) they’ve used, download the latest firmware and improve drive performance. -
ID-Cooling SE 234 ARGB @ TechPowerUp
Published: Friday, April 17, 2020 | By: DennisI met with this company several times during Computex and it seems we never hit things off enough to get review product sent to the lab.
No worries, TechPowerUp has a review of a very interesting cooler with an RGB fan.
ID-Cooling continues its entry-level air cooler dominance with the SE 234 ARGB. This single-tower design is offset for maximum memory compatibility and delivers remarkably good performance along with an attractive design.
In terms of cooler design it would seem they have sampled HEAVLY from Noctua and a few other coolers that I have seen in the past.
