Hardware Asylum CES 2025 Coverage
I would like to thank Yeyian Gaming for helping sponsor Hardware Asylum during CES 2025. The Consumer Electronics Show starts Jan 9th and runs through Jan 12th.
Yeyian Gaming offers an wide range of solutions for the PC gamer including pre-built PCs to fully customized gaming computers with an online configurator. Their builds feature the latest in computer hardware including Intel Ultra, AMD Ryzen 9 and the latest in Nvidia RTX.
Be sure to check them out at https://us.yeyiangaming.com and the Venetian Tower if you'll be attending CES 2025.
Tech News
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Cooler Master Adds Two Gaming Mice to Portfolio: MM520 and MM530
Los Angeles, CA - Cooler Master, a Taipei-based leader in designing and manufacturing computer components and peripherals launches two specific grip type mice, the MasterMouse MM530 tailored for the palm gripper and MasterMouse MM520 tailored for claw grips. Cooler Master’s existing MasterMouse portfolio caters to the ambidextrous user and with these two additions Cooler Master has created an easy purchasing decision, one that allows the gamer to “Make Your Gaming Experience” through picking their specific grip type for better gaming. These mice are also two out of the four new products that exhibit the company’s refreshed logo.
We created two new mice for gamers that are looking for comfortable, right-handed grips. One designed for palm grip and the other for claw grip, but both fully packed with quality features and performance to step up your game,” says Bram Rongen, Peripheral Product Marketing Manager.
Pick Your Grip, Pick Your Game
The MasterMouse MM530 is the worthy successor to the CM Storm Mizar and Alcor, now upgraded and for the serious gamer. It features sleek ergonomic styling with molding and side grips ideal for palm grippers, based and inspired by the ever-loved Microsoft Intelli shape. The MM530 gaming mouse is custom-tailored for high action competition in first-person shooters. Reinforced rubber side grips and a ring finger rest ensure long-lasting comfort during the most heated FPS competitions
The MasterMouse MM520 is the successor to the Spawn gaming mouse, improved further for claw grip gamers by making it slightly longer. The MM520 is custom-tailored for the high-speed actions of a first-person shooter (FPS), multiplayer online battle arenas (MOBA), and real-time strategy games (RTS).
Feature Packed
These mice have the hardware features to match the looks, with a precise Pixart 3360 lag-free 1:1 input with 12000 DPI, on-the-fly DPI adjustments, and 20 million rated Omron switches. Both mice also have PBT plastic construction in the side covers and Left and Right buttons for rugged durability and to ensure those nasty stains won’t appear over time as on traditional ABS plastic mice. And of course, what is a gaming mouse in 2017 without brilliant RGB illumination? Both mice feature 3-Zone RGB illumination to customize the look to match your system and other peripherals. Besides RGB programmability, these mice also comes with software that lets you customize button assignments, macros and more. The settings are saved on the onboard memory so these mice are ready to go with you.The MasterMouse MM530 and MasterMouse MM520 are available on Amazon and Newegg starting August 22, 2017 respectfully, for $49.99 & €49,99. For further information please visit www.coolermaster.com.
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Thermaltake Toughpower iRGB PLUS 1250W Titanium @ HardwareOverclock
What has over 1200w of power, made from metal and somehow mixes up the wording for 80 Plus Titanium?
HardwareOverclock.com has just posted another review. Last week we have tested the Thermaltake Toughpower iRGB PLUS 1250W Titanium. This power supply is the world’s first PSU pre-installed with a patented 16.8 million colors RGB fan that incorporate various high-tech components, leading technology and eco-friendly commendations. Featuring 80 PLUS Titanium certification with individually sleeved cable and flat cable, Toughpower iRGB PLUS Titanium Series adopts the highest quality components and fully modular design that always accommodate any mainstream build under any circumstance.
The TT Toughpower iRGB Plus 1250W Titanium. That is one big PSU with RGB lighting and power delivery for days. Be sure to check out our review of the Thermaltake Smart Pro RGB 850W Power Supply Review cause, you know that is what we do around here.
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Bitfenix Nova TG @ techPowerUp
I find it interesting how inexpensive computer cases have gotten over the years. Don't get me wrong there have always been cheap cases built from crap metal with no extra features, function or fluff. They are/were just metal boxes for your computer parts.
Fast forward to... now... and we have tempered glass side panels, custom colors and a price tag that few can ignore.
The Bitfenix Nova TG is aiming to be an interesting choice for the entry level. While the original Nova, launched nearly 2 years ago, managed to sport a 30 USD price tag, this also meant sacrificing functionality and layout when it came to the interior. The Nova TG does not only come with a tempered Glass side panel but upgraded internals and a splash of color. Is it worth the higher price tag of 50 USD?
So, what are the downsides, I mean why are cases to cheap all of a sudden. Well, to sum things up the lack of external drive bays has made building a case easier and thus lowered the overall strike price. So what should be a 70 dollar case is now only 30 bux and comes with fewer socially acceptable features and yet people love them.
Just seems backwards if you as me.
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AMD Launches the Highest-Performance Desktop Processor, Ever, with Ryzen Threadripper
Sunnyvale, Calif. — Aug. 10, 2017 — Today, AMD (NASDAQ: AMD) released two models of its highly anticipated, Ryzen™ Threadripper™ high-end desktop processors, AMD Ryzen™ Threadripper ™1950X and AMD Ryzen™ Threadripper™ 1920X. During an already record-setting year for the company through the successful launch of several award-winning Ryzen™ desktop processors for the AM4 platform, today’s release of Ryzen Threadripper marks a major step forward in performance and features for the high-end desktop market, with the new processor exceeding the expectations of even the most demanding developers, researchers, prosumers, creators, and multi-tasking gamers. Built around the new AMD x86 “Zen” core architecture, Ryzen Threadripper delivers overwhelming power, unrestrained potential, and indisputable supremacy over comparable products in the market.
“The level of global support and excitement built-up around AMD Ryzen processors has been incredible to watch these last few months, and with today’s Ryzen Threadripper launch, we deliver a new level of computing power to the world’s fastest ultra-premium desktop systems via an entirely new platform and set of multi-core processors,” said Jim Anderson, senior vice president and general manager, Computing and Graphics Group, AMD. “Ryzen Threadripper is the jolt of innovation that the high-end desktop customer was waiting for, providing the long-awaited ability to choose a processor that best fulfills their computing needs at a competitive price.”
Performance and Availability
Both new models of Ryzen Threadripper support the new SocketTR4 platform, sporting sixty-four PCIe® lanes, quad channel DDR4 memory, and AMD simultaneous multithreading (SMT). With support for 16 cores and 32 processing threads, the Ryzen Threadripper 1950X delivers unprecedented multi-processing power, the likes of which have never been available for consumer desktop systems before. The Ryzen Threadripper 1920X provides 12 cores and 24 processing threads and will be available on-shelf along with the Threadripper 1950X on August 10th, 2017. A third variant, the 8-core 16-thread Ryzen Threadripper 1900X, is expected to be available August 31.Whether rendering complex 3D scenes, streaming high-quality video game content, or encoding, compiling, and encrypting files in parallel of each other, the world-class performance per clock and efficiency of AMD’s “Zen” architecture means users can do so without sacrificing efficiency or performance. Ryzen Threadripper 1950X and 1920X processors include 40MB and 38MB of processor cache, respectively, and all Ryzen Threadripper processors from the $549 Threadripper 1900X to the $999 Threadripper 1950X feature the same Quad-Channel DDR4 memory bandwidth, 64 lanes of PCIe® 3.0 connectivity, and processor-direct SATA/NVMe/USB connectivity. In addition, every Ryzen Threadripper processor is multiplier-unlocked to provide unlimited user flexibility. A full ecosystem of SocketTR4 X399 platforms, with native USB 3.1 Gen2 10GB/s connectivity, provide support for all Ryzen Threadripper processors at launch, with motherboards coming from top manufacturers like ASRock, ASUS, Gigabyte, and MSI.
Alienware Area-51 Threadripper™ Edition
In a testament to the multi-tasking and gaming capabilities of Ryzen Threadripper, Alienware has also launched its exclusive pre-built 16-core AMD Ryzen Threadripper™ Edition system to acclaim from high-end desktop enthusiasts worldwide. The new Alienware Area-51 Threadripper Edition, named “Best of E3” by Tom’s Guide and PC Gamer, sports a similar Triad chassis design to that of existing Area-51 systems, but incorporates AMD’s powerful Ryzen Threadripper 1950X processor.“Built into the Alienware brand DNA, we stand by our commitment to deliver optimum gaming performance with iconic design and outstanding quality, Alienware is pleased to be first and only OEM to offer AMD’s Ryzen Threadripper to gamers and the new field of home content creators and megatasking streamers,” said Frank Azor, VP and GM, Alienware, Dell Gaming and XPS. “The Alienware Area-51 Threadripper Edition with the first-ever 16-core desktop processor and CPU liquid cooling allows you to use the most demanding applications to play, record and create simultaneously – taking your gaming and content creation experience to a whole new level.”
Additional Info
The Ryzen Threadripper platform features the X399 chipset, which uses the new Socket TR4, supports quad channel DDR4, and features 64 lanes of PCI Express throughout the entire Threadripper ecosystem. Base clock for the Ryzen Threadripper 1950X is 3.4 GHz with precision boost to 4.0 GHz. Ryzen Threadripper 1920X has a base clock of 3.5 GHz with precision boost to 4.0 GHz. A third variant, the 8-core 16-thread Ryzen Threadripper 1900X, will have a base clock of 3.8 GHz and precision boost of 4.0 GHz, and will be available for purchase on August 31 at a retail price of $549. Ryzen Threadripper CPUs are designed to support even the most demanding of tasks, whether it be rendering complex 3D scenes, streaming high-quality video game content, or encoding, compiling, and encrypting files all at the same time.Pricing:
- Ryzen Threadripper 1950X: 16-Core, 32-Thread, 3.4/4.0 GHz, $999
- Ryzen Threadripper 1920X: 12-Core, 24-Thread, 3.5/4.0 GHz, $799
- Ryzen Threadripper 1900X: 8-Core, 16-Thread, 3.8/4.0 GHz, $549 (on shelves August 31)
Please find the press release and additional details below and feel free to reach out with any questions.
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MSI X299 SLI PLUS @ techPowerUp
Cannot say I approve of XPower going away but, in this fine world of gaming boards that aren't any good for gaming and RGB LEDs everywhere it makes sense to simply go meta and call things how they are.
MSI has gone and stripped "GAMING" and "X-POWER" from its motherboard, and what's left is what we've got to look at today. MSI's X299 SLI PLUS is exactly what its name says it is and not much more... or is it more than anyone could have hoped for?
I hope it doesn't come back to byte them. Afterall some companies have gone under once they changed their brand marketing. *cough*Foxconn*/cough*
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Introducing the EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti K|NGP|N
July 25th, 2017 - The GeForce® GTX™ 1080 Ti was designed to be the most powerful desktop GPU ever created, and indeed it was. EVGA built upon its legacy of innovative cooling solutions and powerful overclocking with its GTX 1080 Ti SC2 and FTW3 graphics cards. Despite the overclocking headroom provided by the frigid cooling of EVGA's patented iCX Technology, the potential of the GTX 1080 Ti still leaves room for one more card at the top...and man is it good to be the K|NG.
Featuring iCX Technology, a new efficient heatpipe layout, and edge-plated PCB for improved cooling, the GTX 1080 Ti K|NGP|N is ready to go from the moment you power on and also features:
- Guaranteed 2025 MHz+ Overclock*
- Highly-Efficient Digital VRM
- Dual-slot profile
- Single-slot capable with Hydro Copper Waterblock**
Single Graphics Card World Records:
- 3DMark Time Spy World Record – 14,219
- 3DMark Fire Strike Extreme World Record – 19,361
- 3DMark Fire Strike World Record – 31,770
- UNIGINE Superposition – 8,642
Learn more at www.evga.com/kingpin
Unboxing overview https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNAh64hD_Zk -
Gigabyte to reorganize motherboard and graphics card businesses
OMG this is huge news!
Gigabyte Technology will begin a business reorganization on August 1 and merge its motherboard and graphics card businesses together. The new department will be led by Eddie Lin, sales and marketing associate vice president of Gigabyte's Gaming Product Business Unit.
For the general public most of you wouldn't know that the Graphics card and Motherboard divisions of Gigabyte have always been seperate. Different budgets, different branding, different marketing and different people. This is why several years ago you saw the Aorus brand on video cards and pherpriphals but not on motherboards. Likewise motherboads were branded under "Ultra Durable" and also came with strange logos.
Well, with to the uptick of video card sales and continual decline of motherboard sales it makes sense to combine the departments (finally) and deliver a consistent message.
Or in this case equalize the books
They (Gigabyte) started on this path during CES 2017 and I can only hope things will get better as time goes on.
Although Gigabyte had excellent performance in the second quarter, its motherboard shipments continued to drop and reached only three million units. Gigabyte's strong performance in the second quarter was contributed mainly by its graphics card business, which enjoyed high revenues due to the cryptocurrency mining trend, and server orders from Russia-based Internet service provider Yandex. However, since the two sources of income are only short term, Gigabyte has already turned cautious about its future operations.
Several of Gigabyte's motherboard executives will be shuffled and will report to Lin after the merger is completed.
With the business reorganization, some market watchers believe Gigabyte will see a series of layoffs and resignations after October, but operations should return stable in the fourth quarter with a new team.
However, the business reorganization and exchange rate fluctuations are still expected to impact Gigabyte's profitability in 2017, the sources added.
This is the part I worry about. As you can imagine I have friends that work inside Gigabyte and a restructure is one of the few times where cleaning house is just part of the process.
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Tt eSPORTS Draconem RGB Gaming Mousepad Review at Modders-Inc
Remember how we talked about how RGB was taking over and that everything is becoming RGB?? Well the end has begun; we now have a confirmed review of a RGB Mousepad.
I'm not going to pretend that I know this product, cause I don't, and I'm not even going to say I looked at the view, cause I didn't, but, I can tell you that.... umm. wow?
I knew they existed and Darren talks about them quite often on the Hardware Asylum Podcast and here one is in the "plastic" (cause flesh doesn't work)
Tt eSPORTS has injected new life to the boring standard mouse pad with the implementation of a feature they are well-known for lately: RGB LEDs. This colorful feature feels at home on a higher-end product so it is implemented on the new Draconem RGB mousepad series. The original Draconem is made of tough aluminum and integrated a mouse bungee
I'm guessing this little device is USB controlled and might even have a USB passthru for TT Gaming mice so you can control two sets of RGB with a single piece of software., Now wouldn't that be something.
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HyperX Alloy Elite Mechanical Gaming Keyboard @ CPCR
What good is a gaming keyboard if you have sloppy keys?? I'm not talking about keyboards with sticky soda spills mixed with cheetoes but rather keyboards with rubber membrains and keypresses that resemble pushing grapes into a corner while you wait for the rats to pick out the seeds.
Maybe that is a bad example however, the HyperX Alloy Elite is not, In fact as far as keyboards go it is pretty darn good.
Now back for round two is the HyperX Alloy FPS’s bigger, badder cousin, the HyperX Alloy Elite Mechanical Gaming Keyboard which we have for review today. While the HyperX Alloy FPS catered towards the mainstream gaming crowd, the HyperX Alloy Elite has a more robust set of features than its sibling targeted towards gamers who want
Be sure to check out our review of the HyperX Alloy Elite Gaming Keyboard before you scurry off to see what Custom PC Review has to say.
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Steep decline in cryptocurrency market has miners dumping their GPUs on Ebay
I'm going to go ahead and mark this one in the "told you so" column and move on. Be sure to check out the full article on PCGamer
While it is difficult to predict anything when it comes to cryptocurrencies, we are cautiously optimistic that GPU pricing should start trending back to normal in the coming weeks. That could change at the drop of the hat, of course, but with the way things are now, miners are less motivated to stock up on GPUs and mine Ethereum.
That was not the case a month ago when Ethereum reached an all-time high of $300 before recording another high of more than $400 a short while later. More and more miners jumped on the crytpocurrency bandwagon in hopes of making some extra dough, and maybe even eventually striking it rich, as some early adopters of Bitcoin did. But since then, Ethereum has fallen in value, declining to a low of $133 over the weekend. It's currently trading at around $170-$180.
It has also become more difficult to mine over the past month.
This is actually great news for gamers who can now get "mildly" used GPUs on ebay at a fraction of the cost while we wait for stocks of new cards to replenish in the open market. Of course if you would rather have a new card over one that has been running 100% for the past 4 months, and I don't blame you, then you are in luck. The sharp decline in demand means that gamers can finally buy the video cards they want for their intended purpose.
