Tech News
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Hardware Asylum and Thermaltake Holiday Hardware Giveaway
Greetings Everyone!
With the challenging year 2020 coming to a close I wanted to wish you and yours a Happy Holidays and to help close everything out on a positive note I teamed up with Thermaltake to give away some great computer cases.
There will be a total of two cases up for grabs including the Thermaltake Level 20 MT and Thermaltake Core P3 with the drawing on December 17th 2020.
Hardware Asylum and Thermaltake Holiday Hardware Giveaway
To enter follow the instructions in the contest module and be sure to check out the Thermaltake and Hardware Asylum Social channels.
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EVGA RTX 3090 Kingpin Launch Day
It is that time again, time for the famed Kingpin Edition video card launch from EVGA. As many of you know there have been some major changes in how video cards are built and sold. Due to the shortages of RTX cards many companies have shifted to "maximum profit" and threw out any sort of Overclocking.
As we have discussed on the Hardware Asylum Podcast video cards are factory overclocked leaving virtually no room to push them any higher. Well, with some skill and some cold there are a few records to be set. If you are brave and skillful with a soldering iron you can push things even further. However, short of an electral engineer very few of us have the skills to make those mods and is where the EVGA RTX 3090 KPE takes center stage.
Built using a 12 Layer PCB and extreme power design the KingPin edition video card is designed to set records. Triple bios support allows end users to dial in their performance model from safe to extreme allowing the card to be complely uncorked with no power restrictions.
Extreme Power
The K|NGP|N’s backbone is a 12 Layer PCB powered by extreme power design with extreme overclocking in mind. With integrated Smart PowerStages, each capable of supplying continuous current, the K|NGP|N has a powerful VRM matching or exceeding the best GeForce RTX 3090 GPUs available.
Digital Power Solution that is controlled by software is more precise and accurate, giving you ample power to push this card to the limit. Three 8-pin PCIe power connectors located on the right side of the PCB allows for easy cable management and mega power delivery.Sadly I was late to the party with the RTX 2080 Ti KPE and never did put my card under cold but have been using it 24/7 with the dedicated waterblock. If we can get an RTX 3090 KPE in the lab you'll be sure to see it stretch its legs under LN2.
To find out more about the RTX 3090 KPE check out EVGA.com
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Cooler Master Launches V SFX Gold Series Mini-ITX Compatible Power Supply Units
Taipei, Taiwan, November 17, 2020 – Cooler Master today launched the new V SFX Gold series power supply units. This is their first time releasing an SFX form factor PSU in the company’s more than 25 year history. When considering the fact that the company has produced mini-ITX cases and coolers for years, this is a long overdue, but greatly appreciated, development.
Like the V Gold series it draws the root of its name from, the V SFX Gold comes in four wattage levels. It carries many of the same features as the V series as well. Rather than consider this an entirely new type of products, it makes more sense from a spec/feature standpoint to judge this series as a direct copy of the V series, now in its second version/iteration, in a smaller form factor for mini-ITX case users. Here are just some of the features you can expect from Cooler Master’s first foray into the SFX PSU market.
- 80 PLUS Gold (550w, 650w, 750w, 850w) Certification
- SFX Form Factor for Mini-ITX Cases with Included SFX-to-ATX Bracket
- Full-Modular Cabling with 16AWG PCI-e Cables
- 92mm FDB fan with 15% Semi-Fanless Mode
- 10 Year Warranty
One of the most noteworthy features is the included SFX-to-ATX bracket. This allows users to instantly transform their SFX PSU into an ATX PSU at no extra cost. That means these units are directly compatible with all cases and systems ranging from mini-ITX all the way up through EATX at no extra cost. And with the wattage levels, efficiency, and connectors available, you really can use this smaller unit to power a regular ATX system with no worries.
Availability:
The V SFX Gold is available now. All models can be purchased online and at local retailers. For more information please visit: http://www.coolermaster.com/v-series. -
EK Launches QuantumX Delta TEC Water Block Featuring Intel Cryo Cooling Technology
EK®, the leading computer cooling solutions provider, announces the release of its EK-QuantumX Delta TEC water block. With more than 15 years of experience as a leader in premium quality cooling solutions, EK, in collaboration with Intel®, has developed a next-level solution for enthusiasts seeking consistent thermal performance and enhanced overclocking on unlocked 10th Gen Intel Core™ desktop processors. ?
“Since the start of EK, our goal was to create innovative and viable solutions for gaming and PC enthusiasts,” said Edvard König, Founder of EK. “I am proud to merge the consistent and proven performance of the EK Quantum cooling engine with Intel’s sub-ambient cooling technology to achieve the best computing and gaming experience imaginable.”
The EK-QuantumX Delta TEC is exclusively powered by Intel Cryo Cooling Technology, a unique combination of hardware, software, and firmware designed to help unleash elite performance for gamers and overclockers.
“We are proud to have worked closely with Intel to bring the EK-QuantumX Delta TEC to market,” said Kat Silberstein, CEO Americas, EK. “One of EK’s core strengths is the ability to cultivate and grow strategic alliances with global silicon players. These alliances make it possible to leverage each other’s unique core strengths, bringing the best innovative solutions to market.”
EK-QuantumX Delta TEC is built using a purpose-designed large surface flow-through cooling engine together with Intel Cryo Cooling Technology, bridging aesthetic uniformity and near-silent operations with technological advancements in thermal solutions. The cooler is an exceptional application of cooling the CPU with sub-ambient temperatures by utilizing a Thermoelectric Cooler (TEC) plate while continuously monitoring and adjusting temperatures dynamically, achieving an ideal operating environment for sustained gaming performance.
Liquid coolers are unable to reach temperatures below ambient (room) temperature, but the EK-QuantumX Delta TEC is cutting-edge, as it actively cools the CPU to sub-ambient temperatures while extracting and dissipating the heat generated from the TEC plate through the traditional liquid cooling loop. ?
The EK-QuantumX Delta TEC utilizes an innovative two-pronged approach to mitigate thermal condensation, a byproduct that has plagued previous attempts of sub-ambient cooling. The cooler features a compact integrated insulation shroud that isolates all exposed cold surfaces from the environmental conditions inside the PC, while the Intel Cryo Cooling Technology continuously monitors and adapts to those conditions to minimize condensation risk generated by the cooling process.
“Gamers and overclockers constantly push the envelope to get the absolute most performance they can out of their desktops,” said Brandt Guttridge, General Manager of Intel’s Desktop & Workstation Platform Marketing Group. “By introducing Intel Cryo Cooling Technology, and by collaborating with fellow technology leaders like EK, we’re taking thermal innovation to the next level to help meet the needs of this audience.”
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Cooler Master Introduces the ML360 Sub-Zero
LOS ANGELES, CALIF., October 26th, 2020– Cooler Master, a global leader in designing and manufacturing innovative gaming peripherals and computer components, is introducing the MasterLiquid ML360 Sub-Zero, our revolutionary sub-ambient cooler featuring Thermoelectric Cooling (TEC).
Together in collaboration with Intel®, the ML360 Sub-Zero utilizes TEC with Intel® Cryo Cooling to achieve sub-ambient temperatures for greater cooling capabilities. This collaboration addresses the diversifying and growing community of gamers and power users. Intel and Cooler Master have joined to provide the exceptional solution to deliver colder silicon for higher overclocking frequenices at lower voltages and with improved system stability, amplifying your potential and breaking overclocking barriers. With these higher processing frequencies, enthusiasts can push performance further whether it is for in game experience or professional content creation.
The upgraded hardware features a water block with integrated TEC technology combined with the redesigned 2nd Generation pump, capable of achieving CPU temperatures previously unseen with any All-in-One (AIO) liquid cooler. The 360mm radiator works in unison with the enhanced pump to manage the full heat load of both the CPU and the TEC, delivering new overclocking experiences and gaming performance with ease.
The ML360 Sub-Zero featuring Intel® Cryo Cooling Technology mitigates the problem of condensation inherent to sub-ambient cooling using advanced algorithms, software, and hardware monitoring to make this better suited for the everyday gamer. Compact design, minimal isolation, local environmental monitoring, and intelligent control allow users to take performance right up to the edge with minimal condensation risk, even for extended durations. The intelligent controller also optimizes power consumption during low workloads and provides comprehensive safety and self-diagnostic measures to ensure stability and performance.
Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360 Sub-Zero- 2nd Generation Pump - Enhanced pump delivers higher liquid flow for exceptional
heat removal - Thermoelectric Cooling - Integrated TEC device rapidly responds to variations in
the CPU workload, cooling the CPU effectively and efficiently - IntelR Cryo Cooling Technology - Unique combination of hardware, software, and
firmware designed to help unleash elite performance for gamers, overclockers, and
content creators - Software Enabled - User-friendly software easily fine-tunes the TEC performance for
a customized cooling solution - 360 mm Radiator - Enlarged surface area combined with three SF120 fans eliminate
heat quickly and efficiently
Availability:
The MasterLiquid ML360 Sub-Zero will be available for preorder on 11/10/2020 for a starting MSRP of $349.99. For more information, please visit: http://www.coolermaster.com/ - 2nd Generation Pump - Enhanced pump delivers higher liquid flow for exceptional
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Funky Kit Review - Silicon Power A62 2TB USB 3.2 Gaming HDD
With new gaming consoles coming out gamers are once again concerned with how and where they will get their games. Gone are the days where you could buy the DVD and be happy with your purchase and instead you download what you need and store it locally.
But, what happens when you fill up your console? Maybe go get a job?, go outside? find a signafigante other? Honestly, these are all great options but, I think Funky Kit and Silicon Power have a solution.
USB storage. Yes, you heard it here first, you can plug in an external storage device and get gamer ready storage. I mean, ya, that isn't new at all. *roll*
The Silicon Power A62 2TB USB 3.2 Gaming HDD is a fast external HDD that offers high capacity and quiet operation. It's a perfect drive if we are looking for cost-effective storage for streaming or content creation. Considering all the advantages, the Stream S07 6TB External HDD is recommended by FunkyKit!
I am impressed with the 2TB storage option or maybe even a 6TB drive. That is until someone gives it a short drop with a sudden stop.
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ASUS ROG Crosshair VIII Dark Hero @ TechPowerUp
You can tell how comfortable a company is based on how they name products. For some large corporations they shortcut the issues associated with long names and simply assign a number. It is quick, easy and doesn't cause any backlash unless the model numbers are similar for completely dissimilar products.
On the other hand when companies spend time to assign names to products you can get a wide range of results. Take for instance ASUS, they have a naming template and certain levels of products might get a name like "Rampage" or "Hero". This works great and allows users to quickly understand what they are looking at.
And, then there are those who try to buck the trend and add things like "Ultra" or "Dark" What does this even mean? and, most of all, "what/who is a Dark Hero??
The ASUS ROG Crosshair VIII Dark Hero is a refresh of last year's award winning ROG Crosshair VIII Hero. With an even more powerful VRM, a sleek new look, and, most importantly, no chipset cooling fan, the ROG Crosshair VIII Dark Hero looks to be a worthy upgrade from last year's model.
Accoriding to TechPowerUp, it is a worthy upgrade.
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EVGA GeForce RTX 3090 FTW3 Ultra @ TechPowerUp
In what might be called the best video card you can currently "not" buy we have the EVGA RTX 3090 FTW3 Ultra. As far as names go that is pretty darn impressive and should indicate a beast of a video card with massive power managment and off the charts overclocking ability.
oh wait..
The EVGA GeForce RTX 3090 FTW3 Ultra comes with a massive triple-slot, triple-fan cooler that makes it the quietest RTX 3090 we've ever tested. Gaming noise levels are comparable to mid-range cards from a few years ago, but performance is like 300% higher, very impressive.
I guess I was wrong. the only thing this card has going for it is noise control?? WTF people.
Oh wait I get it.. WTF = FTW
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InWin 925 Full Tower Case Review @ ThinkComputers
I was really impressed with this case when I saw it during Computex and CES. It has great style with large tempered glass side panels and aluminum shell. What it misses is being a practical case for system builders due to its size and weight but, nobody really cares about that right?
All the way back in January of 2019 we got our first look at InWin’s massive 928 full tower case. This case was specifically designed for Intel’s Xeon 14″ x 14″ motherboards as well as offering massive cooling options and dual power supply support. When I saw the case I loved it, but it really was not practical for a normal ATX system. I think InWin knew that going in and they eventually released a smaller version, the 925. The 925 still has the sleek 4mm thick brushed aluminum exterior, dual tempered glass side panels, support for long graphics cards, tons of cooling support and much more! While we see so many mid-towers out there it is great to see a high-end full tower so let’s jump in and see what it is all about!
Watch out for the popups!
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G.SKILL Releases Dual-Layer Transparent Crystal Crown Keycap Upgrade
(2 November 2020) – G.SKILL International Enterprise Co., Ltd., the world’s leading manufacturer of extreme performance memory and gaming peripherals, is announcing the release of the Crystal Crown Keycap upgrade set, featuring a dual-layer design with a fully transparent lower half to enhance the luminosity of LED or RGB backlights of mechanical keyboards.
Compatible with mechanical keyswitches with cross-shaped MX style stems and designed with a carefully selected font lettering for high legibility, the Crystal Crown Keycap set upgrades the experience and feel of a professional mechanical keyboard. Please follow the link below for the product trailer video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjFgH_XFzFw
Availability & Pricing
Available now on Amazon.com for $19.99 MSRP with a standard ANSI 104 NA English layout, each Crystal Crown Keycap set includes a keycap puller and a 2 year manufacturer warranty.Amazon.com Links
Crystal Crown Keycaps Black
Crystal Crown Keycaps White
