Tech News

• 2nd Generation AMD Ryzen Desktop Processors Released

  Published: Thursday, April 19, 2018 | By: Dennis

  Available Worldwide Today, Turbo-Charged 12nm ‘Zen+’ processor delivers the highest multithreaded performance in its class plus advanced enthusiast features and a smarter platform

  SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Apr. 19, 2018 — AMD (NASDAQ: AMD) today announced the global availability of its 2nd Generation Ryzen™ Desktop processors, starting with four models optimized for gamers, creators, and hardware enthusiasts: Ryzen 7 2700X, Ryzen 7 2700, Ryzen 5 2600X, and Ryzen 5 2600 processors. Using the world’s first 12nm process technology, these 2nd Gen Ryzen processors can offer up to 15% higher gaming performance than 1st Gen Ryzen processors, while delivering the highest multiprocessing performance you can get on a mainstream desktop PC, and enhanced capabilities including Precision Boost 2 and Extended Frequency Range 2 (XFR 2), an included Wraith Cooler, unlocked performance accessed with the new Ryzen™ Master Utility, and more.
  
  “Last year we started changing the PC industry with the introduction of our first wave of Ryzen processors – delivering more performance, features, and choice to our customers than before. Our 2nd Gen Ryzen CPUs continue this pursuit by raising the standards for enthusiast gamers and creators,” said Jim Anderson, senior vice president and general manager, Computing and Graphics Business Group, AMD. “With this launch we’re also demonstrating that we are just getting started, that we are committed to delivering a multi-generational roadmap of leadership high-performance processors that will drive innovation and competition into the industry for years to come.”
  
  Building on the original award-winning 2017 “Zen” architecture, the 2nd Gen Ryzen processors combine the improved “Zen+” core with other major performance, feature, and platform advancements.
  
  Performance Advances
  The new “Zen+” core increases IPC and reduces both cache and memory latencies compared to 1st Gen Ryzen processors. AMD’s SenseMI technology is updated with Precision Boost 2, which enables 2nd Gen Ryzen processors to intelligently analyze the workload and computing environment and contributes in delivering the highest multiprocessing performance in their classes.
  
  Higher effective clock speeds on all 2nd Gen Ryzen processor cores can improve the performance of Ryzen processors in popular real-world applications like games, creativity and productivity applications. Gaming experiences are beautifully smooth across popular resolutions from 1080p Ultra to 1440p High to 4K. And, select 2nd Gen Ryzen processors offer up to 20 percent faster content creation than the competition.
  
  With XFR 2 technology on all AM4 platforms with 2nd Gen Ryzen processors, enthusiast PC builders will enjoy even higher performance in the presence of premium cooling
  
  Feature Advances
  Designed with enthusiasts and high performance in mind, 2nd Gen Ryzen processors feature soldered integrated heatspreaders for superlative thermal transfer[xiv], and unlocked multipliers for simple, powerful overclocking5 control. Performance tuning, enabled by the new Ryzen Master 1.3 software, is easier than ever before, and now offers per-core overclocking5 with automatic identification of the potentially fastest cores.
  
  For the first time, the entire line of 2nd Gen Ryzen processors include a world class AMD Wraith Cooler inside the retail box. The flagship AMD Ryzen 7 2700X CPU includes the new Wraith Prism cooler featuring premium thermal performance, an upgraded fan profile, and enhanced lighting capabilities with per-RGB controls.
  
  Platform Advances
  Optimized for the 2nd Gen Ryzen processors, new AMD X470 chipset is available on Socket AM4 motherboards now. In addition to enhanced memory compatibility and overclocking5 capability, these new motherboards come with a free download of the new AMD StoreMI technology software, which combines the speed of an SSD and the capacity of a traditional spinning hard disk into a single easy-to-manage drive for faster, smarter, and easier storage.
  
  Compatible with all current AM4 processors, the new X470 motherboards augment the existing 300-series motherboards, which are also compatible with the new 2nd Gen Ryzen processors with a firmware (BIOS) update. Many in-market motherboards already come with the updated BIOS, indicated by a “Ryzen Desktop 2000 Ready” label on the package.
  
  2nd Generation AMD Ryzen Processors:

  
  Full ArticleVisit Website

• Phanteks releases three new colors to the Eclipse P300 Lineup

  Published: Wednesday, April 18, 2018 | By: Dennis

  Walnut, California, April 18th, 2018 – Phanteks is excited to be releasing three new colors to the P300 Lineup:

  • Black/Red
  • Black/White
  • White.

  With its full metal exterior and a tempered glass side panel, the Eclipse P300 has an exceptional build quality in its class. The new PSU shroud design enhances the clean interior and exterior looks. It’s packed with features to create an intuitive and convenient installation experience. The P300 comes with easy cable management tools, AIO watercooling support,
  dustproof interior, full length GPU support and RGB lighting with possibilities to expand with more Phanteks RGB products. The Eclipse P300 is a great starting point for new and budgetoriented users.

  Phanteks Eclipse P300 Color Editions are available now.

  Full ArticleVisit Website

• Ballistix Tactical Tracer RGB DDR4 Review @ Vortez

  Published: Tuesday, April 17, 2018 | By: Dennis

  Umm, 

  Didn't this memory just launch today? 

  It would seem it did and with that, we have a launch day review.

  These new RGB DRAM sticks are available in 8GB and 16GB capacities and 2666MHz and 3000MHz frequencies. CAS timings are 16-18-18-38 @ 1.35v. All modules are available individually, in matched pairs or in 4-piece kits for ultimate capacity.

  The modules featured in this review are the 3000Mhz sticks sold as a quad channel kit.  In terms of overclocking they didn't get much from them but seem happy with whatever performance increase they got.  Of course speed, voltage and frequency pale in comparison to the power of digital LEDs that adorn the top of each module.

  Yep, RGB baby!  It is the wave of the future and not likely crash anytime soon unless soon comes early.

  Full ArticleVisit Website

• ASUS ROG Strix RX Vega 64 OC Edition 8GB Video Card Tests @ Madshrimps

  Published: Tuesday, April 17, 2018 | By: Dennis

  Now here is something you don't see very often, a video card review.  It would seem that with the global demand skyrocketing there is little need for doing video card reviews.  In fact most will tell you that sales come first and if we cannot keep up with supply there is little need to allocate anything for marketing.

  RX Vega 64 is able to offer near GTX 1080 performance in most DirectX 11 titles, but performs exceptionally in newer, DirectX 12 games where it is able to exceed the performance levels of the Nvidia card. The Strix version coming from ASUS does feature a factory overclock, but the speed it will actually run at really depends on multiple factors such as power limits (for the GPU, HBM2 memory) but also temperature. When trying to overclock the card, we could not increase the clock much further, which is telling us that the Strix is pretty much running already at max capacity.

  I like RX Vega, it was a good chip and while I can say that AMD didn't see fitting to send me a card on launch day it didn't really matter because by the time you could find a card, they were gone. 

  Its almost like they never existed.

  Be sure to check out the MadShrimps article, link below and without their crazy tracking code.

  Full ArticleVisit Website

• HP EX920 1 TB M.2. SSD - Excruciating TLC perf with the new SM2262 controller

  Published: Monday, April 09, 2018 | By: Dennis

  I'm not sure what "Excruciating" means in this reference but it doesn't sound good? or maybe it is good but, sounding bad?  Guess you'll have to check out the review to know more.

  HP has released an ultra-fast new M.2. SSD, the new EX920 series, the rather properly volume sized 1024 GB (1 TB) model which we will review is fast and furious with a rated sequential read speed up to 3200MB/s and sequential write speed up to 1800MB/s. HP is entering the high-end and enthusiast class with their new SSDs.

  This is a very interesting M.2 drive in that it doesn't look like you would expect based on what is currently on the market.  It has a big HP chip onboard and very few chips, likely to be added as capacities increase.  What might be the "double take" is the fact that this is an HP product and it isn't designed for the enterprise market.

  Full ArticleVisit Website

• Thermaltake Riing Plus 12 TT Premium Edition RGB Fan Triple Pack Review @ Vortez

  Published: Wednesday, April 04, 2018 | By: Dennis

  One of my favorite fan "kits" is the Thermaltake RGB Riing available in both 120mm and 140mm and in packs of three and five.  The only thing to watch out for is what controller the fans come with.  If the controller is a block you get active RGB and support up to five fans (the photo attached to this post).  If the controller is a rectangle with buttons on top you only get static colors and have to press a button to change them.

  Both are good fans but, IMO one is better than the other.

  

  The Riing Plus fans feature years of engineering experience in fan manufacture, offering up a nine blade design tuned towards ultra-silent operation without compromising on airflow. There’s also hydraulic bearings to improve life-span and further reduce noise output.

  The fans are also designed for high pressure situations making them good for radiators and ultra high performance case cooling.

  Full ArticleVisit Website

• Koolance CPU-400I Water Block @ TechPowerUp

  Published: Wednesday, April 04, 2018 | By: Dennis

  Sometimes the simple designs are the best.  The block remindes me of the old Asetek waterblocks when they were doing "Waterchill".  It was a DIY kit with some rather high quality gear, at least for the time.

  

  Koolance's new CPU-400I water block promises excellent thermal performance and boasts a new design using POM acetal, a brushed metal cover, and nickel-plated copper to go along with a new cooling engine. Today, we see how well it does in a crowded and competitive market.

  I'm not really sure if watercooling is making a comeback or if the recent demand is just a result of enthusiasts doing the only thing they have left.  Either way I'm glad to see more watercooling gear making it to the review sites.

  Full ArticleVisit Website

• Introducing the EVGA H370 Stinger Motherboard

  Published: Tuesday, April 03, 2018 | By: Dennis

  April 3rd, 2018 – Introducing the EVGA H370 Stinger – A budget-friendly workhorse for your HTPC or gaming PC. Featuring a next-gen Intel H370 Express Chipset, with DDR4 2667MHz+ memory support and a 10-layer PCB, this motherboard is built to withstand the daily grind. Using a 9-phase PWM, external clock generator, HDMI 2.0 and 7.1 Channel HD Audio, this motherboard will thrive as the heart of your next system, while supporting today’s widely-used components. With four SATA 6G ports, M.2, Intel Optane Memory Ready, the EVGA H370 Stinger has you covered for storage. This motherboard also comes with USB 3.1 Gen 2, 4 native USB 3.1 Gen 1 and included Dual-Band WiFi + Bluetooth for versatility. By using a careful balance of performance and features, the EVGA H370 Stinger gets you straight to the point.

  

  Key Features

  • Supports Intel Core i3, i5, and i7 Socket 1151 Coffee Lake-S Processors
  • Intel® Optane™ Memory Ready
  • HDMI 2.0 and DisplayPort 1.2
  • 7.1 Channel High Definition Audio + Optical
  • Included Intel Dual-band WiFi / BT4.2 with external antenna
  • 1x M.2 Key E (32mm) + 1x M.2 Key M (80mm on back)
  • 150% Increased Socket Gold Content
  • 100% Solid State Capacitors
  • External Clock Gen.
  • USB 3.1 Gen 2 Support
  • USB 3.1 Gen 1 Support
  • USB 2.0 Support

  The EVGA H370 Stinger motherboard is coming soon. For more details, please see here:  www.evga.com/H370

  Full ArticleVisit Website

• Phanteks Enthoo Evolv mATX Tempered Glass @ TechPowerUp

  Published: Sunday, April 01, 2018 | By: Dennis

  There was a time when I was convinced that MiniITX was going to be the form factor of the future.  It seemed that everyone was making boards in that form factor and there was an endless chain of cases coming out to take full advantage. 

  Well, it would seem I was wrong and it was MicroATX that will take over the world, at least this year.  To start things off right here is a review of the Phanteks Enthoo Evolv with tempered glass and shorter than y ou would expect.  About 4 expansion slots to be exact.

  The Phanteks Enthoo Evolv mATX Tempered Glass takes the aging Enthoo Evolv as inspiration and gives it a fresh modern take. With its RGB elements, much better liquid-cooling support and a long list of refinements, you may not even recognize it anymore were it not for the same timeless design and excellent use of materials.

  The nice thing about MicroATX is that you get all the benefits of a full sized motherboard without adding anything that shouldn't be there.  2-Way SLI, 2-Way Crossfire, 2-Way DirectX 12 they can all be done on MicroATX because you only get 4 expansion slots, or two if you use modern graphics.

  Full ArticleVisit Website

• G.SKILL Achieves Dual-Channel DDR4-5000MHz Memory Speed on Air-Cooling

  Published: Thursday, March 29, 2018 | By: Dennis

  Taipei, Taiwan (28 March 2018) – G.SKILL International Enterprise Co., Ltd., the world’s leading manufacturer of extreme performance memory and gaming peripherals, is excited to announce the achievement of an unprecedented DDR4-5000MHz memory in dual-channels. This major breakthrough is the world’s first instance of two DDR4 RGB memory modules breaking the DDR4-5000MHz barrier on just air cooling, when considering that this world-record class speed was only achievable under extreme liquid nitrogen cooling just two years ago. This massive technological feat is achieved with the high performance Samsung DDR4 B-die ICs, and running on the MSI Z370I GAMING PRO CARBON AC motherboard and the Intel® Core™ i7-8700K processor.

  

  World’s First Dual-Channel DDR4-5000MHz Achieved on Air-Cooling
  This in-development memory speed marks the first time in history that a pair of air-cooled RGB memory achieving the legendary speed of DDR4-5000MHz. While DDR4-5000MHz memory kits aren’t yet ready to hit retail stores, G.SKILL is taking major leaps in developing much faster memory speeds and demonstrating the brand’s unwavering dedication to continually push DDR4 memory performance into the absolute extremes.

  

  “Previously, the 5GHz memory speed is only achievable in extreme overclocking and in single-channel. We’re excited to share that we’ve been able to achieve the 5GHz memory speed in not only air-cooling conditions, but also in dual-channels. This is a major milestone for us,” says Tequila Huang, Corporate Vice President, G.SKILL International. “We will make every effort to bring this specification onto the consumer market, and bring the experience of extreme performance to worldwide users.”

  Shown in the screenshot below, on a system with the MSI Z370I GAMING PRO CARBON AC motherboard and an Intel i7-8700K processor, CPU-Z displays a DDR4-4700MHz Trident Z RGB dual-channel memory kit being overclocked 300MHz past its original rated speed to reach DDR4-5000MHz.

  The CPU-Z validation link can be found via the link: https://valid.x86.fr/7inlic

  Full ArticleVisit Website