Tech News
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LIAN LI Launches New Fan Interlocking System with the UNI FAN SL120
Here is another, I saw this at CES.
One of the biggest problems with RGB fans is hooking them up. The "tails" can either be really long or super short and in every instance they are never the right length.
The one constant when installing fans is their placement. Just a about every case maker follows a similar formula for fan placement based on standard radiator sizes. Because of this you can apply the same standard to fans, namely how to link multiple fans together.
To be honest, I'm pretty sure In-Win came up with this design idea first but they are is still using cables to make the connection. The LianLi fans are using magnets and pressure connections making installation a little quicker.
August 19th, 2020, Taipei, Taiwan – LIAN LI Industrial Co. Ltd., a leading manufacturer of aluminum chassis and PC accessories, announces the UNI FAN SL120, an innovative approach to reducing cables by interlocking and daisy-chaining the fans. Designed as 120mm high static pressure PWM fans with addressable RGB LEDs, the UNI FAN SL120 has a newly patented quick-connect daisy-chaining style system that simplifies cable management and mounting efforts. With up to 16 fans (4 sets of 4) under one fan controller, users can easily create an adapted profile to match their fan speed and synchronized lighting effect needs via the highly intuitive L-Connect software. Available in black or white, the UNI FAN SL120 offers a new premium look with lighting effects that do not compromise on performance.
L-Connect
Focused on giving users more control over fan functionality, the clean and intuitive interface of the L-Connect software provides instant speed and RGB light management for individual fans or simultaneous control over all 4 clusters of fans. With 5 fan speed profiles, 14 lighting effects, and control over each effect’s color, brightness, direction, and speed, L-Connect allows full customization of the look and feel of the system. Alternatively, users can choose to sync with the motherboard software via the simple toggle of a switch.Interconnect to Simplify
Say goodbye to cable clutter and time wasted tightening screws with the new interlocking mechanism of the UNI FAN SL120. Designed to slide and lock, the interlocking mechanism and quick-connect PINs ensure that structural rigidity and power is sustained along the cluster of fans. With its modular approach, power to the fan blades and LEDs is provided by an easy sliding connector, meaning only two cables are necessary to power up to 4 fans. Connected to a hub that can host up to 4 clusters, this means up to 16 fans require only 8 cables, compared to 32 with traditional fans, making cable management a breeze. And since the cluster acts as one, the sturdiness means fewer screws are required to mount the fans securely to the system, saving precious time and avoiding awkward screwing positions during the installation process.
Made to Last and Made with Style
Each PWM high static pressure UNI FAN SL120 offers great performance with speeds ranging between 800 to 1900 rpm at low noise levels thanks to the fluid dynamic bearing technology which provides a thin layer of fluid to support the load of the fan blades. In addition, each fan features a magnet centered at the back to reduce vibrations and noise while in operation. While providing sufficient airflow, the 32 addressable LEDs in each fan provide a smooth customizable lighting effect that shines through the diffuser on each side of the fan, bringing a unique style to PC builds.Combining style, performance, and creativity, the white and the black UNI FAN SL120 are available for pre-order starting August 19th, 2020, at an MSRP of $79.99 USD for a pack of 3 (fan controller included), and $24.99 USD for the single pack (controller not included). It must be noted that the controller included in the pack of 3 is required to operate the UNI FAN SL120. For more information about the UNI FAN SL120 and a demo of L-Connect, please visit the official product page: http://www.lian-li.com/uni-fan/
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Thermaltake Floe RC360 / RC240 CPU & Memory AIO Liquid Cooler
If you are getting tired of the AIO watercooling scene and want to break away to do something new and exciting then why not trade in your AIO for a super AIO that not only cools the CPU but also your memory.
I saw these things at CES and have to admit, they are cool but also kinda dumb. So, in the cool category the Floe gives you more opportunities for sweet RGB effects. This can be a great feature for system builders with a great side benefit for Thermaltake because they sell the cooler and have to include the memory. This brings me to why it is kinda dumb in that you have to use Thermaltake memory which already has RGB and cooling your ram isn't really needed, and never was.
World's First CPU & Memory AIO Liquid Cooling Kit
Taipei, Taiwan-August 14th, 2020-Thermaltake, the leading PC DIY premium brand for Cooling, Gaming Gear, and Enthusiast Memory solutions, proudly presents the first-ever product that combines memory and an AIO liquid cooler, the Floe RC360 / RC240 CPU & Memory AIO Liquid Cooler. The Floe RC360 / RC240 is an exceptional AIO liquid cooling product that combines CPU and RAM cooling with support of TOUGHRAM RC memory modules (Sold separately). The unit includes a water block, radiator, an ARGB controller, and three high airflow 120mm fans on the RC360 version and two high airflow 120mm fans on the RC240 version. In addition, the Floe RC360/RC240 has 36 addressable LEDs on the memory waterblock to show off 16.8M RGB lighting effects. It can be synchronized with motherboards equipped with 5V addressable RGB headers such as ASUS Aura Sync, GIGABYTE RGB Fusion, MSI Mystic Light Sync, Biostar VIVID LED DJ and ASRock Polychrome, allowing users to control lighting effects directly from the motherboard’s RGB lighting software.For more details on the Floe RC360/ RC240:
RC240-https://www.thermaltake.com/floe-rc240-cpu-memory-aio-liquid-cooler.html
RC360-https://www.thermaltake.com/floe-rc360-cpu-memory-aio-liquid-cooler.html -
NVIDIA Ultimate Countdown Ends in 18 Hours!
I know I know, I should have been posting about the NVIDIA ultimate countdown #ultimatecountdown for the past two weeks but, to be honest, I wasn't really all that excited. Sure, it was great looking down memory lane and seeing many of the products I reviewed be brought back.
The intent is to get people excited about what is coming next. Rumor is we have RTX 3000 series GPUs ready to hit the market and, again, that was really no surprise. NVIDIA has been doing regular product releases since their inception in 1999 and really hasn't missed a beat. It is very agile, very nimble and also very predictable.
So, when did the NVIDIA excitement fade for me? The quick answer is... GTX 1000 Series
There was a lot that happened during that release.
NVIDIA stopped sampling Hardware Asylum. Now, before you start calling "boo hoo and call me a whiny little bitch" you have to realize that, as a media site, when a major manufacturer cuts you off you lose your primary source of information. Everything that comes in is always second hand and that simply will not do.
On top of that, we have the worldwide shortage due to the mining craze so the NVIDIA board partners removed all media stock to maximize profits. That translates into no review samples and thus nothing to write about. I still believe that this was a very smart move since cards were selling there is no need to spend any extra on marketing. It just sucked for me.
We also cannot discredit the death of 3-way and 4-way SLI and the push of SLI only to the ultra high-end video cards. We can thank the overclocking community and EVERY consumer for that.
and, Finally the death of "real" NVIDIA overclocking. By "real" I mean GTX 900 Series overclocking where voltage mods and external VRMs actually made a difference. Not this Base Clock Power Limit bullshit where Boost Clock is basically the overclocking limit of the card. There is no challenge in that and anyone believing that it is real overclocking is just kidding themselves.
Despite my lack of enthusiasm I really am looking forward to seeing what will be next from NVIDIA and how the rumored RTX 30X0 series will change the gaming landscape.
Here are my predictions.
- RTX 30X0 (or whatever it is called) will be a babystep in basic gaming performance. Similar to what we saw between the RTX 2080 and RTX 2080 Super
- Prices will be $200-$500 USD more than the current RTX 20X0 level across the board
- NVIDIA will spend most of their time talking about RayTracing and other RTX centric features and ignore basic throughput (there is no need since AMD has no RayTracing option yet)
- Cards will come with more onboard memory to support the RTX enhancements. Consumers will see that as the second coming
- If NVLINK is an option will be on the highest end card only. I see it as being offered on Quadro only.
- EVGA will have a new Kingpin edition RTX 30X0 card and it will look just like the RTX 20X0 version
- All Board Partners will offer cards with discrete waterblocks but only at the highest level meaning that anyone wanting to watercool will be limited to reference design or deep pockets edition
- RTX 30X0 (Or whatever) will be the RTX card to buy, it will be more refined, games will finally start supporting RTX features and existing builds will struggle to support the new card (by existing builds I'm talking the 8+ year old AMD rigs that people keep using cause they are poor and don't know any better)
Let’s see if any of these come true. I'll try to remember to talk about it on the Hardware Asylum Podcast
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This premium EVGA case with an overclocking button on sale now @ PC Gamer (Kinda)
Darren likes to surf PC Gamer from time to time and if you ever listen to our Podcast you'll quickly realize that some of our topics are a direct response to "something" they decided to post.
A couple days ago PC Gamer posted an article about the DG-77 from EVGA. This is a case I reviewed when it was first released and found it to be a good example of a basic chassis with several dress up parts. It comes with a vertical GPU mount, tempered glass side panels and is available in two colors (last I checked)
The case also features a "K Boost" button which PC Gamer calls an "Overclocking Button" I have to chuckle since that is an obvious attempt at click-bait since the boost button is simply a software feature to kick your fans into high gear. On the DG-8 it could also control your GPU enabling the performance feature, provided you had the EVGA Precision installed.
It also features a K-Boost button for one-touch overclocking. Enabling K-Boost does two things: it locks an NVIDIA GPU at its boost frequency, and ramps the CPU to its peak clock speed as set in the BIOS.
That last feature isn't true, at least in my experience. Also in my experience I found the K Boost option to be nothing more than a gimmick prompting users to buy the next level up in the EVGA DG-7x lineup.
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SK hynix to Expand United States Market Presence with the Launch of the World’s First 128-Layer NAND Consumer PCIe NVMe SSD
Seoul, Korea – August 18th, 2020 – SK hynix Inc. (or “the Company,” www.skhynix.com), a global semiconductor supplier based in Korea, announced today the release of its newest PCIe SSD: the SK hynix Gold P31. The latest edition is the world’s first 128-layer NAND flash-based consumer SSD and the company’s first consumer-facing PCIe SSD launched in the United States under the SK hynix brand.
The Gold P31 is intended for all PC users with a particular focus on gamers, designers, and content creators. The drive supports the PCIe NVMe interface based on 4D NAND flash technology and is now available for purchase in 1TB and 500GB capacities on Amazon U.S.
The Gold P31 offers best-in-class read speeds of up to 3,500 MB/s and write speeds of up to 3,200 MB/s. The drive is a reliable choice for gamers whose PCs must support long hours of play, as well as professional creators and designers for whom performance and stability is essential. The Gold P31’s reliability has been tested and validated through 1,000 hours of high-temperature operating life tests (HTOL) with mean time between failures (MTBF) reaching 1.5 million hours. The SSD also comes with a five-year warranty.
The SSD market’s rapid transition to the PCIe NVMe interface, and the creation of the Gold P31, highlights SK hynix’s position as an established leader in supplying reliable PCIe NVMe products to global PC OEMs. The newest SSD is one of the fastest and most innovative consumer SSDs on the market, sporting the latest technology from SK hynix.
As a leading manufacturer of memory chips, SK hynix designs, develops, and supplies its own DRAM and NAND flash devices as well as internal SSD controllers. Prior to the addition of the Gold P31 PCIe SSD, SK hynix launched the Gold S31 SATA consumer SSDs, offering the industry’s best-in-class speeds and reliability.
“SK hynix has a rich history as a major supplier to global OEMs, including top-tier PC makers, who have trusted and purchased SK hynix’s SSDs for nearly a decade,” noted SK hynix spokesperson. “Following the successful U.S. debut of the Gold S31 SSDs last year, we are confident that Gold P31 will claim a significant presence in the growing PCIe market backed by industry-leading performance metrics.”
In accordance with SK hynix’s strict commitment to social and environmental value, the Gold P31 SSD is responsibly encased in packaging that utilizes Forest Stewardship Council certified paper, biodegradable plastic bags, and soy ink.
Product Specifications: SK hynix Gold P31
Interface PCIe NVMe Gen 3
Product Type Internal SSD
Form Factor M.2 (2280)
SSD capacity 1TB - 500GB
NAND Flash 128-layer 4D NAND
Controller SK hynix Controller
Sequential Read up to 3,500MB/s
Sequential Write up to 3,200MB/s
Warranty 5 years
TBW 750 TBW (1TB) -
HiFiMAN Deva with Bluemini @ TechPowerUp
Darren is a big fan of the HiFiMAN line of headphones and has a set on his desk that nobody is allowed to touch. He spent several days breaking them in by playing continual music before even listening to them for the first time. Needless to say he was hooked from the first note and will likely buy another set.
Most audiophiles will agree that anything short of a high quality balanced cable is sacrilege in the headphone world with offenders often dying a horrible death at the hands of their shoddy electrical connection. Knowing this makes you wonder, how would they feel about a bluetooth enabled HiFiMAN??
I'm pretty sure they would lose their shiz!
Well, put on your waders, we are about to have incoming.
HiFiMAN's new Deva is a planar magnetic headphone which doubles up as a Bluetooth headset when you attach the Bluemini device. Currently, the Deva bundled with the Bluemini retails at $299 which also makes it the most affordable of the current planar headphones from HiFiMAN.
Yep, Bluetooth enabled HiFiMAN Deva with BlueMini attachment.
You see the "attachment" part is how HiFiMAN can sleep at night and what keeps the angry mobs at home smokin vapes and planning something sinister for those who use crap headphone cables.
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Intel Hit by a Devastating Data Breach, Chip Designs, Code, Possible Backdoors Leaked @ TechPowerUp
You'll have to read the post yourself but, it seems like we have nothing more than someone posting confidential information in an attempt to damage a company reputation. I'm going to go with AMD fanboi.
The news posting contains comments from intel explaining:
Intel in a comment to Tom's Hardware denied that its security apparatus had been compromised, and instead blamed someone with access to this information for downloading the data. "We are investigating this situation. The information appears to come from the Intel Resource and Design Center, which hosts information for use by our customers, partners and other external parties who have registered for access. We believe an individual with access downloaded and shared this data," a company spox said.
One of the biggest issues any hardware maker has is how they go about sharing information. When a product comes to a reviewer there a general acceptance that in exchange for the opportunity the reviewer will respect the wishes of the company in terms of what data is being released.
Customers are under the same restrictions and often have access to more sensitive information so when that bond of trust is broken there will be consequences.
I remember a story where an Intel representative was accusing a hardware maker of selling "ES" chips and leaking technical data to the press. It is not difficult to track these things down so, just because information gets out doesn't mean that Intel doesn’t know about it. Or, how to handle the fallout.
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MSI MEG Z490 Godlike Review @ Guru3D
One of the most iconic motherboards I have ever reviewed was the MSI X99A Godlike. I talk about this quite often because it was not only a highlight of Computex but changed the face of enthusaist hardware forever. One thing that made the X99A Godlike so great is that nobody else had anything like it.
Sadly, with the Z490 motherboard release it seems everyone shared their pre-production notes.
In this review, we look at the MSI MEG Z490 Godlike. Priced at $749 MSI delivers where most premium Z490 motherboard that has been loaded with features and then some. Animated OLED screen, 10 Gbit LAN, 2.5 Gbit Lan, AX WIFI, and looks that make this board seem like James Bond himself.
I'm not sure I would place the Z490 Godlike at the level of James Bond but I will admit it does come with all the bells, whistles and OLED screens you could ever want.
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EK Expands Quantum Torque Fitting Line With a New Unique Finish
Looking to visit space with your custom watercooled gaming PC? Why not get ahead of the curve and swap out your current fittings for the new EK Quantum Torque fittings with the new Satin Titanium finish.
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t has been over a year ago when EK® introduced Torque fittings to the market, and since then, their popularity has only been growing. These fittings became the go-to solution for many high profile modders and enthusiasts. EK, the premium water cooling gear manufacturer, has promised to continue evolving and expanding its fitting lineup with new models and finishes. The latest addition to the Quantum Line fittings, aptly named Satin Titanium, was just introduced. EK has expanded its fitting portfolio with eighteen new products, and more is yet to come since every single extender and new fitting will become available in the Satin Titanium finish.
EK-Quantum Torque Satin Titanium
With a non-intrusive yet striking look, and with NO added branding at all, EK-Quantum Torque Satin Titanium fittings can be complemented by the interchangeable aesthetic color rings. These fittings are an ideal choice for anyone who wants to easily refresh the look of their PC with a new, exciting, and unique finish that is only available from EK.
The compression ring has cutouts in the EK Quantum signature shape allowing for the colored aesthetic ring to be shown. The colored rings are available in many colors and are screwed onto the fitting before the compression locking ring. These aesthetic rings are sold separately.
The current line of new Satin Titanium fittings consists of:
- EK-Quantum Torque HDC – Hard Tubing Compression fittings, single fittings, and 6-packs
- EK-Quantum Torque STC – Soft Tubing Compression fittings, single fittings, and 6-packs
- EK-Quantum Torque Angled – Rotary Angled Adapters 45°, 90°, and T
EK-Quantum Torque Satin Titanium HDC Fittings
EK-Quantum Torque HDC are hard-tube compression fittings designed for use with solid tubing such as Acrylic, PETG, and glass. They are available in three dimensions compatible with 12, 14, and 16mm outer diameter hard tubing.
EK-Quantum Torque Satin Titanium STC Fittings
EK-Quantum Torque STC are soft-tube compression fittings compatible with PVC, EPDM, Norprene, silicone, or any other type of flexible tubing. They are available in three dimensions compatible with 10/13, 10/16, and 12/16mm diameter (ID/OD) soft tubing.EK-Quantum Torque Satin Titanium Rotary Angled Adapters
The EK-Torque rotary angled adapters have a cylindrical shape. They are made to be very sturdy with a tight revolvable joint to avoid flex, thanks to customers’ feedback. Machined out of a solid piece of brass, they use G1/4? threads and have three variations – revolvable 90° adapter fitting, revolvable 45° adapter, and revolvable T adapter fitting with G1/4? threads that all serve a different purpose. The T adapter fitting can be used for setting up drain ports or for parallel connection between components.EK-Quantum Torque Satin Titanium 6-Pack
The six-packs will simplify the process of choosing the number of fittings needed for a liquid cooling loop. The boxed-up fittings will also bring added safety during transport, and customers will be left with a nice box to store them in. These six-pack fittings come in six different types and sizes – STC 10/13, STC 10/16, STC 12/16, HDC 12, HDC 14, and HDC 16. -
Samsung 870 QVO 1 TB @ TechPowerUp
So here is a handy trick. Send out a press release for a product review and put in the body of the message "Terrible, Do Not Buy" and you are almost guaranteed to get "someone" to read your article.
For me I was curious as to "why" TechPowerUp is saying that as it wasn't so clear in the opening paragraphs. So after flipping through the 100's of benchmarks I think I figured it out.The drive is slow when you make it do a bunch of stuff.
And, according to their historical charts the only drive slower (in most situations) is the Crucial BX500 This is a drive I reviewed a year ago and found it to be pretty good until you started asking it to do "Random" things. Interestingly enough that is what TechPowerUp is testing with the Samsung, and kept doing to hammer it home.
The Samsung 870 QVO is the company's new QLC-based SSD that reaches capacities of up to 8 TB. In our Samsung 870 QVO review we're taking a close look not only at synthetics, but also real-life performance, which is surprisingly weak, especially considering they want $115 for the reviewed 1 TB variant.
I'm not sure total cost should be a decision point considering that 1TB of SSD storage is about $100USD but, I can totally understand the distain for a drive that should perform better and doesn't.
It now makes me wonder if other reviewers noticed the same thing. Esp considering that Samsung doesn't send me anything
