Tech News
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HyperX Alloy FPS Mechanical Gaming Keyboard @ Bigbruin
Back in the day I reviewed a case from Rosewill (newegg) called the Wolf Alloy. It really had no "alloy" on the chassis but the name was cool so I went along. Interestingly enough when I saw this review over at Big Bruin the first thing that came to mind was "wolf alloy" even though it is a HyperX Alloy.
Does it have any alloy?
HyperX used to be considered the gaming division of Kingston solely because their system memory and solid state drives offered the high performance that you needed to power a serious gaming computer. While those products are still what I would consider the core business of HyperX, they now offer other items that should also appeal to gamers. We have looked at a few of their gaming headsets in recent reviews, and this time around we will be looking at their first gaming keyboard.
It is great to see so many companies getting behind the mechanical keyboard game and showing us how many different ways you can build a straight flat keyboard. Eventually I'd like to see some ergo designs with gaming features. That would be pretty darn metal.
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Broadcom educational video on NVMe over Fabrics
NVMe over Fabrics offers numerous benefits including providing greater enterprise storage scalability by extending the performance and low-latency of NVMe technology for SSDs across data centers. I wanted to reach out to you because Broadcom just released an educational video that explains how these systems can be deployed.
This is a great video that tells the story in easy-to-understand language about how NVMe over Fabrics works, the options available, and how Broadcom’s Emulex NVMe over Fibre Channel technology delivers a new and more powerful solution for enterprise data centers.
For the PC enthusiast this might be a little on the techincal side but can give you a pretty good idea at what the future holds for NVMe storage options and why Intel chipsets have so many PCI Express lanes.
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Samsung 960 EVO M.2 1TB NVMe SSD Launch Day
NVMe is what I would call the future of SSD drive technology that exchanges the flexibility of SATA for increased speed and direct PCI Express connectivity. M.2 is a popular format for these drives but comes with a major size limitation to maintain the compact form factor.
3D NAND has paved the way to increase SSD storage capacity and allow M.2 drives to reach the mythical 1 Terabyte capacity and still remain affordable.
Samsung has launched their 960 EVO drive today in all of its black chewing gum form factor goodness.
Web Reviews
- Samsung 960 EVO M.2 1 Terabyte NVMe SSD review @ Some 3D Site
- Samsung SSD 960 EVO NVMe M.2 Review: Ultra Fast, Affordable Storage @ Sizzle Hardware
- Samsung 960 EVO Review @ VortezBe sure to check out the reviews, assuming you are willing to give up SATA SSD RAID for a single drive on the PCI Express bus train.
Until then I'll be on the phone with Samsung trying to get one for myself.
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Lian Li Releases the PC-O10 Dual-Compartment Mid Tower: ATX Meets SFX
Latest O-Series Case Strikes Perfect Balance in Size, Aesthetics, and Organization
November 15, 2016, Keelung, Taiwan - Lian-Li Industrial Co. Ltd is eager to announce its next O-series case: the PC-O10 dual-compartment chassis. Like the PC-O9, this case is divided into two chambers for easy organization – users can create immaculate, picturesque builds without spending hours planning cable management.
Full ATX Motherboards, Meet SFX PSUs
By adopting the SFX/SFX-L PSU form factor, the PC-O10 has a much slimmer profile compared to the PC-O9 and PC-O8. Lian Li cut the proportions to match that of a conventional tower, while maintaining the attractive and functional half glass, half aluminum design. With power efficiency ever on the rise, and an increasing number of high-wattage SFX-L PSUs available, enthusiasts no longer need to encumber their cases with bulky traditional ATX PSUs.Dual Compartment Advantages with a Mid-Tower Balance
In spite of its leaner dimensions, the PC-O10 still fits E-ATX and Full ATX as well as microATX motherboards. With seven expansion slots, it supports multi-GPU setups with VGA cards as large as 340mm: plenty of room for even the best gaming builds. It accommodates CPU coolers as tall as 130mm. The PSU compartment can store up to four 3.5” and two 2.5” drives, with space in the main glass compartment for an additional 2.5” SSD. The dual-compartment layout puts attractive components in the limelight, while keeping cables, drives, and other less desirable parts out of sight.Flexible Water and Air Cooling Possibilities
The bottom panel has mounts for two 120mm or one 140mm intake fan, with space for two 120mm outtake fans on the top panel. The back panel can additionally mount two 80mm fans. All fan mounts include removable, washable mesh dust filters. Users can instead opt to install a 240mm radiator fitting 320mm x 120mm x 90mm on the top panel. Water cooling enthusiasts will appreciate a removable, dedicated pump plate in the glass compartment with grommeted pass-throughs between compartments for elaborate custom loops.Optional Accessories, Extras, and Inputs
Users can purchase the optional O10-1 PCI riser accessory kit to show off a dual-slot VGA card vertically in the same manner as the PC-O7. The kit replaces the standard expansion slot panel and includes the latest generation riser cable. The PC-O10 includes two USB 3.0 and HD audio ports on its front panel.Win a PC-O10 or PC-Q37! Enter Lian Li’s Thanksgiving Giveaway!
Lian Li is eager to give thanks to its fans by partnering with BitsPower for a Thanksgiving giveaway event. Lian Li is giving away exciting new cases, as well as high-end cooling equipment from Bitspower! Check out the multiple ways to enter here: http://www.lian-li.com/en/thanksgivinggiveaway
Find out more about the prizes!
PC-O10
PC-Q37
PE-750
PC-K6s
Learn more about BitsPower’s prizes!
BP-WBV1080ARS-RGB5
BP-DDCPLS
BP-NLS240-F4PB
BP-WBCPUIAC-CUMBKCL
BP-CPF-CC5U
BP-DDCTOPWT100AC
BP-120WTMP-BK
BP-PVCT1234CL-2M
Find detailed specifications for the PC-O10 here -
Cooler Master MasterLiquid Pro 280 Launch Day
The neat thing about product reviews is not so much the product but watching to see what others thing of the same thing.
Cooler Master has just released their MasterLiquid Pro 280 which is a self contained AIO watercooler using their new OptFlow technology and matched with a 280mm radiator. (e.g. dual 140mm fan)
Normally CM wouldn't double up cooler reviews given that we also reviewed their MasterLiquid Pro 240 but, they did a few tweaks to the product design and wanted to make sure everyone knew about them.
Be sure to check out my review of the Cooler Master MasterLiquid Pro 280 Review on Hardware Asylum
Web Reviews
- Cooler Master MasterLiquid Pro 280 Liquid CPU Cooler Review @ ThinkComputers
- Cooler Master MasterLiquid Pro 280 Review: The Strong, Silent Type @ Modders-IncAIO cooling is really a gateway system to harder and more elaborate cooling systems so please AIO in moderation.
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Hardware Asylum Podcast on Podcat
Have you heard of our Podcast? The Hardware Asylum Podcast is a bi-weekly computer hardware show recorded by computer enthusiasts that covers a variety of topics from Computer Hardware, Overclocking and Computer Gaming. Every once in awhile we stray off topic to cover hobbies and travel which helps to fill the time and gives you something new to listen to.
If I say so myself, the show is well refined. We treat it like a real program with quality audio and solid topics unlike some other hardware shows where the audio is "muddy" or filled with overused laughter. The Podcast is also kept around 30min long making it bite sized enough to consume on a morning commute, again, unlike other hardware shows that drag on for over an hour.
I'm not sure about you, but 30min seems to be the perfect length to making a show interesting and to completely cover a particular topic.
One of the biggest problems with Podcast shows is: "How do you Find and Listen to Podcast Shows?" With videos you can visit YouTube however with audio there isn't a centeral CDN. Instead we have index sites that allow you to search for shows based on certain keywords but really won't suggest what to listen to.
Index sites like iTunes are the facto standard and are largely limited to Apple users. Google Music is now indexing Podcasts and crappy monitary sites like Stitcher and Blubrry are just in it for the money.
Podcat is a little different and they call it the IMDB of podcasts. If you are interested in checking out the Hardware Asylum Podcast check our the Podcast page on Hardware Asylum or load up the Podcast RSS from Google Music, Podcat or even iTunes.
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noblechairs EPIC Series Real Leather Gaming Chair @ techPowerUp
As computer enthusiasts there is one thing we do more than just about anyone, Sit. Now, I'm not talking the lethargic "sitting on your ass" style of sitting but rather a casual sit down so enjoy the latest DLC release from the game you just paid $100 USD for. It might only be for 30minutes (as is the case with any DLC release) or could be for several hours if you are raiding in Overwatch or hacking away at some marvelous code for your next project.
Thing is, to make your sits more enjoyable you must cradle the butt in something soft. It shouldn't be too warm and never too cold. It should breath well so to prevent sweat build up and most of all it should look good in your computer room for those times when you are out doing burnouts or playing golf.
e.g. When you are not in your computer room.
Of course in things I would likely never review there is the classic gaming chair. Many gamers and computer folk lust over the perfect gaming chair and gaming furniture builders take full advantage. TechPowerUp has posted a review of a really nice looking gaming chair from Noblechairs as part of their Epic series of Real Leather Gaming Chairs.
We have the chance to evaluate a top-notch (and expensive) gaming chair from noblechairs. This real leather EPIC series chair has a terrific look and is comfortable enough to make you forget its high price tag.
Personally the only chair worth its pricetag is the Aeron Chair by Herman Miller. Not only do they look amazing but caress the butt in ways that allow you to sit for longer than you should while still providing support and comfort.
I have one and totally support this message.
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Intel looks to add Wi-Fi and USB 3.1 support into next-generation chipsets
As we begin moving towards a total SOC there are still some technologies that work best as an external PHY on your motherboard. Wi-Fi has always been an external device and works well that way allowing the user to determine if they want/need the technology and more importantly gives them a choice of which "speed". (eg: ac,n,a,b,g etc) However that was during the time where everything was pretty volatile and nobody had settled on one standard.
The same is true of USB. At one point I read that Intel wanted to replace it completely and now they want to solidify it in a chipset?
I get it though, there is no innovation by doing the same thing over and over again and let’s face it there has been 0 performance advance since the launch of Sandy Bridge so "why not"
Intel reportedly is planning to add USB 3.1 and Wi-Fi functions into its motherboard chipsets and the new design may be implemented in its upcoming 300-series scheduled to be released at the end of 2017, according to sources from motherboard makers. Intel declined to comment on market speculation.
The decision is expected impact existing third-party Wi-Fi and USB 3.1 chip makers including Broadcom, which is a major supplier of notebook WLAN chips, Realtek Semiconductor, a major supplier of desktop WLAN chips and ASMedia Technology, which has a major share in the USB 3.1 market.
Although ASMedia is expected to see dropping orders for USB 3.1 host chips, the standardization of USB 3.1 technology will accelerate development of USB 3.1-based devices and increase demand for related chips and 10G signal redrivers and retimers, allowing ASMedia to land new orders.Sadly, going this direction will send ASMedia and Killer the way of "Sound Blaster" and that makes me sad.
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Crucial MX300 2TB Review @ Vortez
I'm pretty new when it comes to SSD reviews but can recognize when something super cool hits the market. On the surface the Crucial MX300 seems like every other SSD on the market. It has similar performance to any other SSD, comes with a familar interface and the same 2.5" small form factor. What makes this drive different is that it doesn't cost $1000 USD for 2TB of storage all because of 3D NAND.
In the spotlight is the Crucial MX300 SSD. After already reviewing the 750GB model, we’ll be turning to the newly released 2TB edition today to see how this large capacity SSD handles our benchmark suite. Is it finally time to swap out all of those mechanical drives?
I currently have the 750GB limited edition MX300 drive on the test bench and am so far really impressed. My biggest surprise? Weight, or in this case the lack there of.
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Gigabyte GTX 1050 Ti G1 Gaming 4 GB @ techPowerUp
As a hardware reviewer it is fun to watch the news inbox and see when certain products launch. Of course it is disappointing to see a product launch that I wasn't aware of or should have been a part of. but, that is how things go.
In this case we have a product launch that is a couple weeks late or right on time if we consider the Lord of the Rings, W1zzard connection.
Gigabyte's GTX 1050 Ti G1 Gaming is a highly overclocked custom design variant by the company, featuring a dual-fan cooler that provides excellent temperatures and incredible low noise levels at the same time. During desktop work and media playback the fans even stop completely.
Personally I really liked the GTX 1050 Ti, it seemed like a good card with some decent performance and affordable pricetag. Gigabyte also pushed things a bit by adding their Windforce cooler and healthy overclock.
Be sure to check out my review of the Gigabyte GTX 1050 Ti and find out if the card can be overclocked.
