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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The New NVIDIA Titan Xp is Here and it is Good!
More Extreme in Every Way: The New Titan Is Here – NVIDIA TITAN Xp
NVIDIA announced a new Pascal based graphics card today and kept their blog post short and sweet.
-- snip --
If you need all the power you can get, our new NVIDIA TITAN Xp is the card you need to have.
Introduced today, the Pascal-powered TITAN Xp pushes more cores, faster clocks, faster memory and more TFLOPS than its predecessor, the 2016 Pascal-powered TITAN X.
With the new TITAN Xp we’re delivering a card to users who demand the very best NVIDIA GPU, directly from NVIDIA and supported by NVIDIA.
Key stats:- 12GB of GDDR5X memory running at 11.4 Gbps
- 3,840 CUDA cores running at 1.6GHz
- 12 TFLOPs of brute force
This is extreme performance for extreme users where every drop counts.
Open to Mac Community
Speaking of users, we’re also making the new TITAN Xp open to the Mac community with new Pascal drivers, coming this month. For the first time, this gives Mac users access to the immense horsepower delivered by our award-winning Pascal-powered GPUs.
TITAN Xp is available now for $1,200 direct from nvidia.com, and select system builders soon.-- snip --
So, the real question is. How is this card different? If you pull up the Titan X and Titan Xp spec page(s) on Nvidia.com you can get a pretty good idea as to what changed. The orginial Titan X came with 3584 CUDA cores whereas the new Titan Xp comes with 3840 CUDA cores and an extra 50Mhz on the Boost Clock. Basically more cores and a bit of overclocking. Both cards come with 12GB of memory so, processing power FTW!
- NVIDIA TITAN X
- NVIDIA TITAN XpSadly, and this is rather embarrassing to admit. At the time of the Pascal based Titan X launch there had already been a number of Titan cards including the Titan Z, Titan, Titan Black and now Titan X and Titan Xp. Somewhere in the shuffle I had remembered there was already a Titan X and just added a (p) to the end to denote the difference between the Maxwell Titan X and the Pascal based one.
It would seem I was just ahead of the curve and got confused with the marketing.
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Samsung to produce uberwide display panels
Monitor technology has been out of control lately from the launch of OLED and claims it can never be larger than a couple of inches to 72" OLED tvs on display at CES 2017. Well it would seem that in the PC monitor world the ultrawide panel is the new way to go.
Personally I'm a dual monitor PC user and actually feel my productivity decreasing when forced to work on a single monitor. Its simply that I always have multiple windows open at a time which you can't do on a single panel.
Well, with an ultrawide or uberwide panel you can enjoy all of the dual monitor benefits without an ugly bezel dividing the screen in two. Up until this point LG was the leader in ultrawide panels and it would seem that Samsung is now getting onboard with a monster monitor. 49 inches monster.
49" mega-wide panel - this panel will offer a massive 49" size, in a 32:9 aspect ratio which Samsung are referring to as a "Grand Circle" format. We knew about the plans to produce a panel like this back in January 2016, but more details are starting to emerge now which is good news. These are the current specs but could of course change between now and mass production. The resolution will be 3840 x 1080 (referred to as DFHD = double full HD). It will be a VA technology panel with a 1800R curvature and a 3-side frameless design. The panel will offer a high 5000:1 static contrast ratio which is pushing the CR beyond current Samsung VA panels in fact. Perhaps most interesting is that the panel will apparently support a 144Hz refresh rate, along with options for AMD FreeSync and NVIDIA G-sync. The panel is due to go in to mass production around September 2017.
Double 24.7" (44") - this is an interesting option in their Grand Circle format. Creating a 29:9 aspect ratio and ultrawide format, this is a double 24.7" sized screen which ends up being 44" diagonal in size. It's designed to replace dual 24" sized monitors really and offers a 3840 x 1200 resolution. It's a VA panel with 5000:1 contrast ratio, 1800R curvature, 8-bit colour depth and a 3-side frameless design. There will apparently be 60Hz and 144Hz versions available and it is expected to go in to mass production in September 2017.
40" Full HD - slightly less interesting is a large 40" panel with a 1920 x 1080 resolution VA panel. This offers a 1800R curvature, 3000:1 contrast ratio and 8-bit colour depth. This might well be aimed at TV / multimedia displays given the resolution and spec. It is expected to go in to production in Aug 2017.I have to admit these are some tasty specs but 49 inches seems a bit large for the office. #justsayin.
Oh and #doesithavergb
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Creative Sound BlasterX Vanguard K08 Review @ Vortez
This is a great keyboard but I'm a little concerned about how things are spelled over in that Europe place.
Creative has addressed all these things with the Vanguard K08. It features a low footprint appearance that is sleek and elegant, yet has the additional macro and media keys, and despite its elegant appearance, it features advanced customisable RGB LED lighting.
I mean is "customisable" a word? I know what it should be and I prolly shouldn't make a big deal but, if the BlasterX Vanguard K08 RGB gaming keyboard from Creative is really that great it should be fully "Customizable" too
On a lighter note: Be sure to check back, we will have a review of the limited edition Weapon Crate from Creative that features the K08 and some other great hardware from Creative.
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WD Black PCIe NVMe SSD Review (512GB) – Does It Live Up To Its Lineage
Seems like an interesting title. I'll byte.
WD Black hard drives have long been the go-to hard drive for many storage consumers. They satisfy the needs of those looking for fast, reliable storage and although they are priced on the high side, they come with a 5-year warranty, which is hard to beat. However, with the release of so many SSDs into the market, WD had been falling behind. Consumers now demand faster storage than what HDDs can offer. WD had no choice but to finally enter the SSD market. Due to this, WD acquired SanDisk, which in turn gave them the necessary tools to make their entrance.
After some months of waiting, they finally released their first SSD, the WD Blue SSD. Similarly designed to that of a current generation SanDisk SSD, the WD Blue proved to be a good first go. For many enthusiasts, on the other hand, other SSD manufacturers are in the limelight. There is what seems to be a plethora of PCIe NVMe SSDs in the marketplace, but WD hasn't had anything to show, until now. Back at CES 2017, WD unveiled the latest edition to the WD Black family, the WD Black PCIe. With an M.2 2280 form factor and PCIe NVMe interface, this SSD delivers speeds that are more than three times faster than SATA SSDs and magnitudes faster than a typical HDD. But, will it stand out in the sea of NVMe SSDs or will it fall short of WD's Black brand lineage? Read on as we take a closer look at it in today's review.Western Digital is one of the big names in storage and I honestly figured they would be on the SSD bandwagon by now. I guess it took a few generations before they decided that SSD technology has gotten mature enough to build a product for.
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Thermalright True Spirit 140 Direct @ techPowerUp
To be honest, I am suprised to see that Thermalright is still building coolers. Back in the day the Thermalright Venomous X Heatsink was my all time favorite cooler. It had a solid feel and excellent performance. I like it so much in fact that I adapted it for use on X79 when it only had mounting hardware for X58.
Thermalright looks to impress with the True Spirit 140 Direct; long name, exceptional results. This ultra-quiet tried and "True" design now utilizes HDT technology for improved cooling performance.
By the looks of it the True Spirit is a tamed down version of their flagship mega coolers that were not only "kinda ugly" but also difficult to install due to their size. This one is quite a bit smaller and more along the lines to what you would get with a Hyper 212 with a 140mm fan.
It might be time to hit up Thermalright again and see what they can send over.
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3DMark Vantage and PCMark Vantage support ends April 11
Love it or hate it but PCMark Vantage and 3DMark Vantage will fall off the supported list on April 11. 3DMark Vantage was one of my favorites back in the day as it was also really easy on hardware. For instance you might need a certain clock to complete 3DMark 11 and then could raise that clock some 30Mhz+ when running vantage and have it complete.
Plus boobs
Vantage also had a dark side since it supported NVidia PhysX and when you were benching with a NVidia card you would get an invalid score and have to go again. That was just one of the many rules of HWBOT to keep things fair when going after Records and Cups.
Well, as it would seem when Windows Vista falls off the supported list so will the benchmark created for that generation. That isn’t to say you cannot run it anymore but does mean it will no longer be guaranteed to run and you won’t be able to buy keys.
-- Snip --
3DMark Vantage and PCMark Vantage support ends April 11Our Vantage benchmarks were designed for Windows Vista, an operating system that is over 10 years old and which is now used by only 1.12% of Windows users according to StatCounter.From April 11, 3DMark Vantage and PCMark Vantage will:- No longer be sold on our website.
- No longer receive updates, (other than SystemInfo).
- No longer be guaranteed to work with our online services.
- No longer be eligible for customer support.
Alternatives to 3DMark Vantage3DMark Vantage is a benchmark for DirectX 10, an API which is now two generations old. For benchmarking modern gaming systems, we recommend using the latest 3DMark benchmarks:- 3DMark Time Spy for DirectX 12 systems.
- 3DMark Fire Strike for high performance DirectX 11 PCs.
- 3DMark Sky Diver for DirectX 11 laptops and mid-range PCs.
Alternatives to PCMark VantagePCMark Vantage is a system benchmark for Windows Vista. If your PC is less than seven years old, you will get more relevant results by using a more recent version of PCMark. We recommend:- PCMark 7 for Windows 7
- PCMark 8 for Windows 8
- PCMark 10, coming soon, for Windows 10.
Legacy benchmarks are free to downloadAll of our legacy benchmarks going back to 3DMark99 are available to download for free from our website. Each benchmark comes with a key to unlock the Advanced Edition features. 3DMark Vantage and PCMark Vantage will be available for free from April 11. -
EpicGear launches MORPHA X RGB Fully Modular Gaming Mouse
This flagship product has taken gaming mouse customization to a new level by implementing MSC™ (Modular-Sensor-Cartridge) and MSS™ (Modular-Switch-Structure) Technology, as well as enhanced design using an adjustable weight & balancing system, and fully customizable RGB LED lighting and detachable mouse shells.
Taipei, Taiwan – March 21, 2017 - EpicGear, the leading brand in professional gaming peripherals, today announced the latest innovation the MORPHA X RGB Fully Modular Gaming Mouse. Designed and based on feedback from the gaming enthusiast and community, MORPHA X RGB Fully Modular Gaming Mouse implements MSC™ (Modular-Sensor-Cartridge) for easy switching laser and optical sensor, as well as MSS™ (Modular-Switch-Structure) which enables the swapping of switches with different click resistance. MORPHA X, the flagship RGB modular gaming mouse redefines modular gaming mouse and further expands EpicGear’s range of gaming peripherals.
MSC™ (Modular-Sensor-Cartridge) and MSS™ (Modular-Switch-Structure)
Designed with MSC™ (Modular-Sensor-Cartridge), MORPHA X allows easy switching between optical and laser sensors. Using the included Modular Senor Cartridges, the MORPHA X equipped with an 8,200 DPI laser sensor and the latest 12,000 DPI IR LED sensor for improved accuracy and precision targeting, gamers can choose the sensor which is right for their game and handle any situation.Gamers with specific preferences on micro-switches will be impressed with the MSS™ (Modular-Switch-Structure) which allows the swapping of micro-switches including, EG Purple – Pro, Omron 50 million click lifespan and EG Orange - Medium, Omron 20 million click lifespan each with a different click resistance.
Co-developed by pro gamers, every line and curve of the symmetrically shaped, right-handed MORPHA X, is designed for superior support providing a perfectly balanced grip. The separated button-cover design provides absolute clicking precision and feedback, while the adjustable weight system provides hassle-free flexibility and adjustment of the MORPHA X to the preferred weight and balance. A total of 20g across four 5g pieces can be placed in the four internal slots.
MORPHA X also incorporates RGB customizable lighting color and brightness to match each gamer’s style, system or environment. Away-From-Mouse (AFM) Ambient Lighting is a programmable feature via GUI software. All lights start to glow in RGB radiance when being left stationary for 20 seconds. All lights will resume normal when movement is detected. MORPHA X can be tuned using the dedicated GUI software. Angle-snapping, lift-off distance, button assignment, DPI, profiles, and USB report rate, just to name a few. MORPHA X also offers detachable mouse shells with grey and white schemes.MORPHA X RGB Modular Gaming Mouse Specifications
- MSC™ (Modular-Sensor-Cartridge): 12,000 DPI IR LED sensor cartridge and 8,200 DPI laser sensor cartridge
- MSS™(Modular-Switch-Structure): EG Purple – Pro, Omron 50 million click lifespan and EG Orange - Medium, Omron 20 million click lifespan.
- Adjustable lift-off distance with auto-calibration feature
- Adjustable angle-snapping
- Customizable RGB LED colors
- On-the-fly sensitivity change
- Adjustable report rate: 125~1000Hz
- Optical sensor cartridge: Up to 250ips tracking speed & 50G acceleration
- Laser sensor cartridge: Up to 150ips tracking speed & 30G acceleration
- AFM Ambient Lighting mode
- Lock-down function
- 7 longevity buttons with 6 programmable
- 5 gaming profiles with dedicated LED color assignment
- Ultra-swift big-size PTFE mouse feet
- 1.8 meter X-braided cable with gold plated USB connector
- Approx. dimensions: 4.98inch(L) x 2.62inch(W) x 1.57inch(H) / 126.5mm(L) x 66.5mm(W) x 40mm(H)
- Approx. weight: 3.27 oz / 92.6g excluding sensors, cable & weights
- Adjustable weight & balance system: 5g x 4 weights, 20g in total / 0.177 oz x 4 weights. 0.70 oz in total.
Availability and Pricing
MSRP: $ 129.99 at Amazon and Newegg.For more information about the EpicGear MORPHA X RGB Fully Modular Gaming Mouse
please visit https://www.epicgear.com/en/products/mice/morpha-x
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciy47EYbnzY -
ASUS GTX 1080 Ti Strix OC 11 GB @ techPowerUp
For years ASUS was keen on letting you know that their coolers were core contact designs and it would seem they are now going with a more load efficient design with a cold plate instead of direct heatpipe contact.
You might be asking yourself, "What is the difference?" Well core contact reacts extremely fast but comes with load limitations and if you exceed the designed heat load you can overheat. With a cold plate you have more mass over the GPU allowing it to heat up more and thus makes the heatpipe cooler work more efficiently. This design works well with Pascal since it is fairly low power and is designed to run hotter than we care to admit.
The ASUS GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Strix OC is the first custom-design GTX 1080 Ti that we are reviewing. It comes with a newly designed thermal solution that no longer uses DirectTouch heatpipes. Also included is a generous overclock out of the box and a load of features for the enthusiast gamer.
I'd like to eventually test one of these cards, they are not only extremely good looking but are designed to take some overclocking abuse.
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Project Build: Crush – Part 6 – I can’t leave things alone @ LanOC Reviews
One thing is for sure, once a modder gets started on a project it is difficult to let go. You know, unless you do it right the first time
Well, things have been extremely busy and with that, I haven’t been able to follow up on the Crush project build recently. AMD and Intel both had big launches that pushed everything back and I just couldn’t fit these into the publishing schedule. That said I have still been working on things. More specifically I have been making a few tweaks after living with the build for a while. I said I was all finished a few articles ago then I just had to paint the cards. Well with them painted I had to do something about the Intel 750 Series drive to match and I also noticed just how much dust and dirt was in the case after a few weeks so today I’m going to deal with both of those issues.
This isn't a bad little mod, be sure to check it out and click back through the project log to see how it all started.
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Micron to Establish its Center of Excellence for DRAM in Taiwan
The newly acquired Cando Corporation assets will allow Micron to centralize fabrication and back-end in a single location
TAIPEI, Taiwan, March 21, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Micron Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:MU), a global leader in advanced semiconductor systems, today announced that on March 14 it successfully won the auction for Cando Corporation assets, which will be utilized in establishing a back-end site for Micron Taiwan. Micron has now completed the title acquisition process for the new site.
The acquisition includes the cleanroom and tools that are adjacent to Micron’s existing Taichung fab, bringing the company’s fabrication and back-end together in one location. The new site will be focused on establishing a centralized back-end operation.
“This marks a significant step in our plan to create a center of excellence for leading-edge DRAM in Taiwan,” said Wayne Allan, VP, Global Manufacturing. “Bringing fabrication and back end together, all in one location, builds an efficient support structure for end-to-end manufacturing with quicker cycle times that benefit our business and customers.”
The new back-end site is expected to begin production in August, and the new integrated center of excellence is expected to bring greater operational cost efficiency that will benefit Micron’s DRAM business on a global scale. These cost efficiencies are part of the overall US$500 million of ongoing operational enhancement opportunities cited at the company’s 2017 analyst conference.
The strategic acquisition, with a winning bid of US$89.2 million, also highlights Micron's goal to grow its presence in Taiwan - where it is the largest foreign employer and investor - from its current wafer manufacturing function to a broader center of expertise in the global memory industry. The back-end site will further enhance the company’s strong presence on the island, which already includes state-of-the-art, 300mm wafer fabrication facilities in Taichung and Taoyuan, as well as sales and technical support offices in Taipei.
The back-end operation will be led by site director Mike Liang, who joined Micron in November 2016 with more than 35 years of experience in the semiconductor industry. Having previously served in leadership roles at Ti-Acer, KYEC and Amkor Taiwan, Liang brings significant expertise in both front-end wafer fabrication and back-end assembly and test manufacturing.
