Tech News
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Intel Core i9-14900K Raptor Lake Tested at Power Limits Down to 35 W @ TechPowerUp
Published: Monday, October 30, 2023 | By: DennisI've been using the new Core i9 14900K processor and have found it to be extremely efficent and has many of the same thermal limits from the Core i9 13900k.
There's no denying that Intel's Core i9-14900K is a power hog. This article examines the power, performance and thermals effects of limiting its power consumption, with very interesting results. Additionally, we investigate undervolting to determine if efficiency can be optimized even further.
This should be a rather interesting article showing that with modern processors the issue of heat can mean the different between good performance and questionable decisions. It also shows how pointless overclocking currently is without extreme cooling.
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Nvidia to make Arm-based PC chips - We knew this was coming
Published: Tuesday, October 24, 2023 | By: DennisIn the world of "oh that is obvious" we have reports of NVIDIA working on their own CPU design based on the ARM architecture.
Unless you have been living under a rock you will have heard that NVIDIA tried to buy ARM last year for a respectable amount of money. However, the sensitive regulators in the UK blocked the sale and what would have eventually become a company bigger and more powerful than Intel and AMD. (IMO)
NVIDIA is not a company to abandon their plans and continued on. Before the ARM buyout there was a system called GRACE. GRACE was a data center product using a low powered ARM based CPU coupled with a powerful NVIDIA GPU designed to create a massively scalable compute module which was basically what crypto miners were building in their basements using off the shelf components, minus the ARM Processor.
Had NVIDIA been able to complete the purchase they would be able to build their new CPU designs at a fraction of the cost while still getting income from Qualcomm (and others) due to the current ARM licensing agreement.
Licensing and traditional architecture aside the ARM based CPUs RISC based processors and are extremely power efficient leading to their adoption into mobile devices and several Apple based laptops. The power of the CPU comes in the form of multithreading and by adding more cores to the CPU they can easily scale past the power of current desktop CPUs without producing as much heat.
Combine that with an NVIDIA GPU and you have an extremely powerful all-in-one system that could replace every x86 based notebook with better battery performance and lower temperatures.
Exclusive: Nvidia to make Arm-based PC chips in major new challenge to Intel
Oct 23 (Reuters) - Nvidia (NVDA.O) dominates the market for artificial intelligence computing chips. Now it is coming after Intel’s longtime stronghold of personal computers.
Nvidia has quietly begun designing central processing units (CPUs) that would run Microsoft’s (MSFT.O) Windows operating system and use technology from Arm Holdings(O9Ty.F), , two people familiar with the matter told Reuters.
The AI chip giant's new pursuit is part of Microsoft's effort to help chip companies build Arm-based processors for Windows PCs. Microsoft's plans take aim at Apple, which has nearly doubled its market share in the three years since releasing its own Arm-based chips in-house for its Mac computers, according to preliminary third-quarter data from research firm IDC.It will be interesting to see what actually comes out of the NVIDIA camp and if puppetmasters controlling ARM actually allow them to compete in the market.
I am expecting big things and so far, the NVIDIA track record for new ventures has been extremely positive, even when they exit the new segment several years later.
To read more about this "exclusive" story as reported by Reuters, check out the link below.
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Amazon Prime Day Deals - Round Up
Published: Tuesday, October 10, 2023 | By: DennisAmazon is pretty good about having flash sales and special sales events that entice people to buy more stuff. What is interesting is that many hardware makers have turned to Amazon as a major storefront for their products instead of relying on Newegg (and others) to promote and sell their products.
Amazon Prime Big Deals Days happens October 10th and 11th with some pretty amazing discounts on a variety of different products. Here are some that were sent in.
YEYIAN: a PC and component maker
- YEYIAN ODACHI Intel 13th Gen VR Gaming PC
- YEYIAN 24” Curved Gaming Monitor
- YEYIAN ODACHI Gaming PC
- YEYIAN Sigurd 3001 27” Curved PC Gaming Frameless LED Multistand Monitor
Thermaltake: a PC and component maker
Here is a link to the featured deals and some highlights below
- LCGS Graphite 360 Gaming PC
- Ceres 300 Snow Edition Mid Tower PC Case
- ToughPower GX3 850W ATX 3.0 Power Supply
- TOUGHAIR 510 TDP Dual-Fan CPU Air Cooler
Zotac Gaming: Maker of some pretty good video cards, I wouldn't know since they rarely send out samples for media review.
Here is a link to the Zotac featured deals and some highlights below
Lexar Memory: Maker of some super speedy storage solutions
Here is a link to their Amazon webstore with some great deals on memory products
Be sure to check out Amazon for the Prime Day Deals for some discounts on your wanted and/or needed accessories.
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Cooler Master MasterLiquid 360 Atmos Liquid CPU Cooler Review @ ThinkComputers
Published: Friday, October 6, 2023 | By: DennisThe modern PC has evolved beyond the small 60mm delta screamers to require a little more from your cooling system. The latest LGA 1700 systems run pretty hot and while your standard 240 AIO will get the job done, it can sometimes get your fans "a running a bit fast".
This is where a 360 AIO can be a benefit like the ones we have reviewed or, this one from Cooler Master.
Here at ThinkComputers we are no strangers to Cooler Master and their products, especially when it comes to their all-in-one liquid coolers. So here we are again with a new AIO from Cooler Master, the MasterLiquid 360 Atmos. No, there aren't any surround sound speakers found on this cooler, but there are some pretty cool features included with the 360 Atmos, like an included lighting controller, SickleFlow Edge fans, and an updated pump housing design that steps up the aesthetics game quite nicely. With a few other changes here and there, the Cooler Master MasterLiquid 360 Atmos is poised to be the next generation in liquid cooling, so follow along as we take a closer look!
I'm not sure what the deal is with the Atmos name but, it looks pretty good so, we should let the relapse in Cooler Master intellegence slide.
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G.Skill TridentZ DDR5 7200 CL36 2x24 GB review @ Guru3D
Published: Friday, October 6, 2023 | By: DennisDespite G.Skill no longer supporting "us" with review samples I am still a big fan of their memory lines and will often choose for my build recommendations. That isn't to say that "other" memory is not good but, does imply that I trust the performance and style you get from G.Skill.
With that being said, The new TridentZ sticks are pretty damn nice and have a perfect color combo.
G.Skill is a company (from Taipei) whose products don’t need an introduction. The main “dish” is the RAM, from the DDR5 type. The provided sample is from a Trident Z5 series. We already covered the 5600 MHz CL36 (RGB-less) variant back in March’2022 (and it earned the “Recommended” award), and 7200 MHz CL34 (with the RGB lighting) also in March, but 2023 (this time it was the “Top Pick”). This time around, the sample is from the high-capacity kits (2x24 GB/2x48 GB) that were announced, yes – also in March (‘23), reaching up to 8200 MHz for the 2x 24 GB edition, and up to 6800 MHz when two 48 GB modules are used.
Now, if you are the type that would rather follow a different path and has finally given up on Corsair and their Bullshit then check out the Viper Venom line from Patriot. It is quite good.
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Glorious Model O 2 @ TechPowerUp
Published: Friday, October 6, 2023 | By: DennisThe computer mouse has gone through a number of changes over the years, some are designed to be super accurate, some have a tendency to shock you and others might have too many buttons for a single thumb to press.
However, the basic design idea still holds true and this chunk of plastic from Glorious is one to see. (Maybe)
With the ambidextrous Model O 2, Glorious's Model O gets a full makeover. The main buttons have been redesigned, the sensor upgraded to the BAMF 2.0, and the weight lowered to 57 g. Furthermore, the Model O 2 is now fully compatible with Glorious Core.
Sadly, the O 2 is a design following the mad rush of computer users with no upper body strength. The mouse is designed to be light weight so that weak gamers can have more control over their game, instead of, oh I dunno, picking something up that isn't a potato chip.
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Maonocaster C2 Neo Audio Interface Review @ APH Networks
Published: Thursday, October 5, 2023 | By: DennisPersonally, I am a fan of the Focusrite line of audio interfaces and have been using the Scarlett 6i6 and 8i6 for over 10 years now. Interfaces like the Maonocaster C2 appear to migrate from a software based configuration to something with quick buttons to change things, which is nice, especially for those recording alone or doing streams.
The part that sucks is that when you implement a hardware solution you increase the overall complexity of the product and often limit how it can be used.
The Maonocaster C2 Neo audio interface and mixer combination offers audio flexibility, but its result is mired by usability and execution issues.
Be sure to check out the review if you are curious and want to see an audio interface that looks more like a DJ station.
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Cooler Master V SFX Platinum 1100W Power Supply Review @ APH Networks
Published: Monday, September 25, 2023 | By: DennisBe sure to check out my review of the Cooler Master V SFX 1100w power supply. Overall, the PSU is a great unit and a HUGE step towards the rise of high performance SFF builds BUT, we have a long way to go before we get there. On the surface, it looks great but, high-end builds generate a TON of heat and most small form factor cases are super limited when it comes to cooling performance making a 1100w SFX PSU a little overkill.
but, a little overkill never hurt anyone.
The Cooler Master V SFX Platinum 1100W is a solidly constructed SFX PSU for those looking for something to power the latest components in a tighter space with ATX 3.0 and PCIe 5.0 support.
Maybe when 90 Series RTX cards stop needing a quad slot cooler we can start thinking that high-current SFX PSUs are a good thing.
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Funky Kit Review - ASRock Radeon RX 7600 Phantom Gaming 8GB OC Graphics Card
Published: Monday, September 25, 2023 | By: DennisASRock, now there is an ASUS company I have not heard about in a LONG time.
Sadly, I have never been able to secure a steady AMD relationship to get products like this. Maybe that was due to my lack luster review of the lack luster AMD Ryzen when it first launched or, maybe it was the constant influx of marketing folks and agencies losing my business card.
Either way, AMD stuff is pretty good and usually made better by mfgs. like ASRock and others.
the overall performance of the card isn't too bad, if you’re on a budget but play a lot of games in 1080p resolution, then the ASRock Radeon RX 7600 Phantom Gaming OC could be the right choice for you.
Sadly, this is a '600 series card with a limited frame buffer and nice juicy overclock to compensate. Could it actually perform? or does it leave much to be desired. If you are reading this click the link below to find out.
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ASUS ROG GeForce RTX 4090 MATRIX review @ Guru3D
Published: Monday, September 25, 2023 | By: DennisAs a person I am not against ASUS ROG products but, when it comes to the operation of Hardware Asylum and my associated media outlets, I find it difficult to recommend ASUS ROG products due to the company not sending me any ASUS ROG products to review.
Of course, the funny story there is that I have some ASUS ROG products in the lab that I needed to purchase on my own, normally these make for the best reviews but, after doing Enthusiast PC Hardware reviews for over 20 years it just seems stupid that I would have to resort to doing that. #allthingsconsidered
However, as we get back to our normally scheduled news postings, we have a review from the ultra elitest Guru3D featuring the ASUS ROG RTX 4090. Seems like a pretty good card.
Today, we delve into ASUS's latest offering for the enthusiast segment. This release is limited to a select few. Introducing the liquid-cooled ROG Matrix Platinum GeForce RTX 4090 - a combination of visual appeal and optimal thermal performance.
Ohhhhh, thermal performance!!! The card is fricken watercooled, it is going to cool well even if the cooler is total junk. AND, if it doesn't you likely did something wrong.
