Tech News

• Cooler Master Shows New PC Cases, Power and Cooling Solutions at Las Vegas

  Published: Tuesday, January 6, 2026 | By: Eddie

  Refined lineup highlights next-generation system readiness, advanced thermal performance, and user-driven design

  Taipei, Taiwan — January 5, 2026 — Cooler Master, a global leader in PC components and tech lifestyle solutions, today announced its product showcase taking place this week in Las Vegas. The lineup features a focused selection of new and upcoming PC cases, power supplies, cooling solutions, and advanced systems designed to support modern GPUs, high-core-count CPUs, and increasingly personalized PC builds.
  
  

  

  This year’s products reflect Cooler Master’s long-standing focus on Thermal Excellence, combining engineering-driven design with practical innovation to deliver reliable, real-world performance. The showcase highlights how Cooler Master continues to advance cooling, airflow, and power efficiency to meet the needs of today’s builders, creators, and professionals.

  Case Design Focused on Flexibility and Expression

  Cooler Master’s case lineup spans premium showcase designs, performance-driven airflow solutions, and accessible mainstream platforms.

  The COSMOS Alpha serves as the flagship case, highlighting Cooler Master’s craftsmanship and customization capabilities. It reinforces the brand’s long-standing presence in the premium PC case category.

  The MasterFrame 360 series offers gamers and creators a display stage for action figures or collectibles alongside an open view of system components. Designed for clean builds and customization, the series combines visual presentation with functional performance.

  Power Solutions Ready for Next-Generation Hardware

  Cooler Master’s power supply lineup emphasizes compatibility with next-generation GPUs and stable power delivery across a wide range of system configurations.

  The MWE Gold V4 features GPU Shield, a total solution for GPU power protection integrated directly into the PSU. GPU Shield offers real-time visibility, alerts users to potential issues, and actively intervenes when abnormal conditions are detected. The GPU Shield supports Cooler Master’s goal of creating a safer, more reliable PC ecosystem.

  Thermal Solutions Spanning Air and Liquid Cooling

  Cooling remains Cooler Master’s core competency, and the cooling portfolio on display includes air and liquid cooling innovations designed to help systems perform at their best.

  The V8 ACE features Cooler Master’s patented 3DHP heat pipe technology, delivering significantly increased heat transfer efficiency to support high-power CPUs. Its distinctive design reflects the innovation behind the technology.

  In liquid cooling, the Core Nex Digital 240 and Core Nex LCD 360 combine Cooler Master’s dual-chamber pump design with digital and large-format display options, emphasizing ease of installation and system monitoring.

  Cooling performance is further supported by the MasterFan A series, featuring aluminum construction and high-speed capability for demanding scenarios, and the MasterFan M ARGB series, which balances durability, acoustics, and visual appeal for mainstream systems.

  Advanced Systems and System Monitoring

  Cooler Master PC systems are designed for demanding gamers and users who want high performance without the time investment of building a system themselves. Complementing these systems are optional monitoring and display accessories such as the Master Meter Digital Tachometer and Master Vision 12.3-inch External Display, which provide real-time system information with flexible placement options.

  As the new year begins, Cooler Master continues to build on its legacy, bringing important features and refined designs to market across its portfolio.

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• COUGAR Unveils the Evolution of Gaming Hardware at CES 2026

  Published: Monday, January 5, 2026 | By: Eddie

  Las Vegas, US, January 5th 2026 - COUGAR returns to CES with an evolutionary lineup of PC hardware and gaming furniture.  By reorienting chassis topology to augment cooling and merging mechanical design logic and aesthetics with ergonomics, our 2026 portfolio focuses on evolutionary design: harmonizing advanced technology with the human experience, shaped for balance, efficiency, and comfort.

   

  A revolution might change the world in an instant, but evolution re-encodes the very DNA of how we inhabit it. As boundaries between users and high-performance technology dissolve, innovation must not only disrupt, but endure.  From thermal engineering that repurposes dormant space as active air paths to furniture that supports the human form as the extension of the machine, we perfect the union of form and function to redefine the interface.
   

  COUGAR will be exhibiting from January 6-8 in a private VIP showroom at the Venetian Resort Las Vegas.
  
  

  

  CFV235-G 

  Float in Form. Flow in Function. 
  
  The CFV235-G chassis features a full glass iconic panel and incorporates a graffiti-style brand logo design, delivering a stronger trendy esports aesthetic. This exclusive version makes its debut only at CES in the United States.

  The CFV235-G takes the architectural airflow of the CFV235 series to the next level and . At the heart of its design is the Central Floating Ventilation (CFV) structure—an open, suspended partition between the PSU and main chamber that turns empty space into active ventilation. This re-engineered layout boosts cooling performance by expanding intake paths, giving air more room to move.  Glass side panels extend the panoramic aesthetic, harmonizing the entire case with a cohesive look without visual interruption for a build that is as much an exhibition as it is a powerhouse.
  
  
  MX600 Max
  
  Big on Cooling. Flow on Point. 

  Optimized porosity and cooling is hardwired into the DNA of the MX600 Max. The MX600 series’ emblematic square perforations return, combined with its signature airflow ramp, now refined into a dual-curve guide that directs the immense volume of the front-mounted 200mm ARGB PWM fans to exactly where the heat is at its most intense. A modular I/O panel enables versatile case positioning and detachable top cover makes installation incredibly easy, streamlining setup options to remove the friction between the user and the build process. 

  
  
  DUOAIR
  
  Dual Style. Doubled Flow.
  
  Adaptation is the first principle of evolution, and the Duoair is designed as a versatile, efficient duality, ensuring that the temperature remains uncompromised whether you prioritize mesh-driven performance or glass-fronted aesthetics. The engineering pivot of shifting the PSU cabin to the front creates a recessed, perforated groove—an active intake channel that allows the angled bottom fans to draw in airflow, accessing extra intake to cool up to 410mm GPUs and enhancing high-volume cooling powered by preinstalled dual 140mm ARGB PWM fans.
  
  
  FV130
  
  The Full View, Refined.

  The FV130 refines the dual-chamber aesthetic, stripping away bulk without sacrificing the high-velocity cooling demanded by modern hardware. Migrating the PSU to the secondary chamber clears the space for a specialized, angled bottom fan that eliminates the "dead air" zones typical of panoramic builds.  This elimination of the unnecessary allows for a panoramic view of the build to be showcased while still maintaining a desk friendly footprint, accommodating 410mm GPUs and reverse-connector motherboards despite the reduction in dimensions.  Maximum visibility, zero wasted volume.. 
  
  
  Terminator Air
  
  Machine-Inspired Ergonomic Design 
  
  The smartest way to rage against the machine is teaching it to move like us. The Terminator Air replaces static seat structures by integrating Dynamic Adaptive Support with its iconic Second Spine design, upholstered in breathable mesh fabric. Every shift in posture triggers a continuously adaptive mechanical alignment, ensuring that your support remains constant as it responds to your natural movement.  Precise calibration of backrest height and seat depth to unique physical specifics ensures ergonomic support conforms to an individual, never an average. With weight-balanced tilt control that automates recline tension and 3D hyperrotation armrests, the Terminator Air acts as a physical extension of the machine, reconciling the intensity of high-performance gaming and productivity with the necessity of long-term comfort.
  
  
  POLAR V2 1200/1000/850

  The Convergence of Power, Durability and Silence.

  The fully modular 80 PLUS  Platinum certified Polar V2 sets a new benchmark for performance, surpassing ATX3.1 standards with a 300% power excursion threshold designed for dual-GPU configurations.  This foundation is anchored by 100% Japanese capacitors and a suite of eight industrial protections, ensuring flawless delivery even at 50°C. Featuring a 130mm FDB fan, the Polar VS delivers massive output while maintaining a near-silent sonic profile within a compact 150mm frame and extending component lifespan, proving that true power is defined by its silence and efficiency.
  
  
  PV 1200/1000/850
  
  Apex Power Delivery.
  
  With 80 PLUS Platinum certification achieving up to 92% power conversion, the PV series minimizes thermal waste and optimizes output, embodying sustainable performance. Engineered for the next generation with native PCIe 5.1 support, the PV series utilizes 100% Japanese capacitors to ensure a lifetime of unwavering stability, cooled by a precision-tuned 140mm FDB fan that achieves a perfect balance between cooling and quietness. 
  
  
  GQ 850/750
  
  Compact Next Gen Power. 
  
  The  COUGAR GQ series boasts high-quality 80 PLUS Gold certification, achieving up to 90% conversion efficiency. Compliant with Intel’s ATX3.1 standard, it features native PCIe 5.1 support with a 12+4 pin connector, flawless delivering power even in 40°C environments.  Despite its high-output capabilities, the compact 140mm depth ensures effortless installation in a wide range of chassis, while its 120mm rifle-bearing fan minimizes friction for an extended lifespan and cost-effective durability.

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• NVIDIA is Launching New DLSS 4.5 at CES 2026

  Published: Monday, January 5, 2026 | By: Dennis

  Gamers using NVIDIA RTX graphics will get a massive performance and quality boost by leveraging the latest DLSS 4.5 upgrade available during CES 2026.  This new update it more than a revision and brings with it updates to Multi Frame Generation, super resolution updates for shaper edges and improved image quality.  This is done with a new 2nd generation super resolution transformer model that is NVFP8 accelerated for greater context awareness and pixel sampling.

  While on the surface this seems like a normal driver update there are some underlying benefits that make this update rather significant.  The obvious benefit is to image quality, the new transformer models work to generate higher quality images which can then be upscaled.  The model is accelerated using Nvidia enhanced FP8 quantization allowing for faster processing and the storage of more information without adding to the size of the models.

  

  Multi Frame Generation was a sneaky way to increate framerate by pre-rendering the next several frames to promote smoother gameplay and enhance image quality.  Previous generations of DLSS only supported 4x Multi Frame Generation where as with DLSS 4.5 this has been increased to 6x with the help of the new transformer model.  This new Frame Generation update is also dynamic in that it will work with your hardware and adjust the generation number to ensure framerate targets are met.

  

  For example, with 4x Frame Generation a generated framerate could be around 190fps and locked while with dynamic 6x Frame Generation the output will be near 240fps and dynamically adjusting to ensure the highest quality is maintained.  While extra frames are always a good thing it becomes important when getting the most from your 240hz gaming monitors.  Higher framerate will reduce ghosting and improve image quality while allowing gamers the option to enable more taxing features such as path tracing.

  DLSS 4.5 is available in over 400+ game titles and is supported across all RTX graphics cards.  The new Super Resolution Transformer will be available right away in the NVIDIA app while 6x Dynamic Frame Generation is due for release in Spring of 2026

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• Beyerdynamic MMX 150 Wireless Gaming Headset Review @ Madshrimps.be

  Published: Sunday, January 4, 2026 | By: Eddie

  Madshrimps sees the Beyerdynamic MMX 150 Wireless as a very successful all-round gaming headset that also works great for general entertainment. In games like DOOM: The Dark Ages, Wreckreation, Stellar Blade and Resident Evil 2, they highlight clear detail across lows, mids and highs with bass that is present but not overdone, plus a wide soundstage that makes it easy to pinpoint enemies and enjoy rich environmental sounds like crashes and engine noise. The tuning works just as well for vlogs and TV shows, with EQ settings easily adjusted on the fly in the mobile app and changes being immediately audible. They are also very positive about the microphone: voice quality is clean for conference calls and recordings, and although some users have reported low mic volume, the sample they tested behaved fine, likely thanks to a newer firmware that can be updated through the app.
  
  

  

  MMX 150 Wireless is a plug-and-play headset from the well-known audio company Beyerdynamic, which can deliver great sound quality, a clear microphone for conferences during heated gaming sessions, while the internal battery can deliver up to 68 hours of use from a single charge. The product is compatible with many devices since it does sport Bluetooth 5.3, 2.4GHz wireless and analog 3.5mm connectivity, the velour ear pads offer great comfort during long sessions and can be picked up in with two different color schemes.

  
  Build and everyday usability are praised too. The materials feel premium, the color scheme is appealing, and the controls on both earcups are easy to reach and handle multiple functions depending on mode. Bluetooth 5.3 pairing is straightforward, and support for LC3 and SBC codecs helps keep call quality and wireless audio solid for a gaming focused headset. Battery life is another strong point, with up to about 68 hours from the internal 850 mAh Li-Ion battery on a single charge. Taken together with the sound quality, comfort and ease of use, the reviewer considers the street price of roughly 179 euros including tax to be justified for what you get.

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• SilverStone Lucid 05 @ TechPowerUp

  Published: Saturday, January 3, 2026 | By: Eddie

  APH Networks sees the SilverStone Lucid 05 as a budget friendly midrange ATX mid tower that still manages to pack in a surprising number of premium touches. Its headline feature is the 270 degree tempered glass panoramic view, paired with three 120 mm ARGB PWM fans (including reverse blade units at the front) and an 8 channel PWM and ARGB hub that keeps both the preinstalled fans and additional units synchronized. The case is straightforward to build in for a standard mid tower: installation is smooth, fan cabling is already centralized, and the fans themselves are described as reasonably quiet with smooth running motors. At full speed they land around a 3.5 out of 10 subjective noise rating, dropping to roughly 1.0 when slowed, making the Lucid 05 generally suitable even for users who care about noise, as long as they remember there is no additional sound dampening built into the chassis.

  

  The SilverStone Lucid 05 is a bigger brother to the Lucid 04, being able to fit an ATX board vs. MicroATX, besides more potent liquid cooling. As such it is better suited for a larger target audience, while also improving on some functional aspects. While losing the small-form-factor appeal, these advantages make the Lucid 05 not just better value, but also more useful.

  
  Those premium elements come with clear cost cutting measures to keep the MSRP at about 86 US dollars. The steel panels are quite thin, making the case light but also easier to bend; one of the mesh panels even arrived slightly bent from the factory. There are no cable guides, tie points or Velcro straps behind the motherboard tray, and the rear expansion slots use old style break off covers instead of reusable, bridgeless slots. All dust filters are frameless magnetic sheets that work but feel flimsy, and the reviewer would have preferred a single combo audio jack rather than separate 3.5 mm jacks for modern headsets. Taking everything together, APH Networks gives the Lucid 05 a 7.0 out of 10 and concludes that it is a well priced midrange case with an attractive glass presentation and real premium features, as long as buyers accept the structural and convenience compromises needed to hit this price.

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• Epomaker Split70 Wireless Mechanical Keyboard Review @ APH Networks

  Published: Friday, January 2, 2026 | By: Eddie

  APH Networks describes the Epomaker Split70 as an interesting first step into split ergonomic layouts, offering a good mix of comfort, features and build quality without going too wild. The 71-key board is built from a full plastic body and backplate but still feels solid, and it comes well equipped with hot-swappable mechanical switches, RGB backlighting, a volume wheel and a dedicated macro column. Dye-sublimation PBT keycaps are praised for their quality even if they are not double-shot. Typing feel with the factory Wisteria Linear V2 switches is a clear positive, helped by multiple internal damping layers that give each keypress a satisfying, muted sound and feel. Connectivity is also a strong point, with tri-mode wireless that matches the quoted battery life figures and full VIA support for easy remapping and macros.
  
  

  

  The Epomaker Split70 is a good starting ergonomic mechanical keyboard that offers a bit more flexibility to reduce upper-body fatigue
  after prolonged use.

  
  There are still caveats to consider. The compact format forces layout changes in the number row and on the right side, including a smaller right Shift and a relocated Delete key, which may disrupt daily typing until you adapt or remap. The reviewer also wishes for a way to prop up or tent the board from the back or middle to better support neutral wrist and arm positions, since there is no built-in kickstand. Even so, they are generally pleased with the design and value. With an MSRP under 120 US dollars and lower prices during sales, the Split70 is judged a decent option if you want a compact mechanical that offers more placement flexibility and some ergonomic benefit without sacrificing sound and feel. APH Networks assigns it a 7.1 out of 10 and calls it a good starting ergonomic mechanical keyboard for reducing upper body fatigue over long sessions.

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• ECS LIVA Z11 Plus @ TechPowerUp

  Published: Thursday, January 1, 2026 | By: Eddie

  TechPowerUp positions the ECS LIVA Z11 Plus as a compact, productivity-first Mini PC built around Intel’s Core Ultra H-series, with options like the Core Ultra 7 255H delivering snappy everyday performance and solid benchmark results. In practice it feels fast and responsive for typical desktop workloads, and holds up under heavier tasks such as video encoding, code compilation and multitasking without major throttling, which suggests the cooling system is tuned for sustained load. Intel’s Arc 140T integrated graphics turns in respectable gaming results for its class, keeping titles like Baldur’s Gate 3 and Cyberpunk 2077 playable at reduced resolutions and settings, while esports games such as Dota 2 and Counter Strike 2 run comfortably above 60 FPS at 1080p. This is clearly not a replacement for a discrete GPU, but more than adequate for light gaming, older titles and casual play alongside office work.
  
  

  

  With Intel Core Ultra Series 2 processors, the ECS LIVA Z11 Plus delivers great performance, supports up to four displays, and includes nice extras like dual USB4 and Ethernet. You can do some light gaming, despite being noisy under load and offering limited storage options, but the system is optimal for productivity and multi-monitor setups.

  
  The platform really distinguishes itself on I/O and connectivity rather than raw GPU power. Dual USB4 ports with DisplayPort Alt Mode, two HDMI outputs and dual Ethernet, including 2.5 GbE, allow up to four displays and flexible networking in office, lab or multi-monitor setups. Build quality is described as solid thanks to the metal case and reasonably serviceable internals, although the blower-style cooler tends to spin up quickly and can get loud under load, trading acoustic comfort for stable performance. The main functional downside is storage flexibility: despite the spec sheet mentioning two M.2 slots, the 2242 slot is occupied by the Wi-Fi module, leaving only a single usable M.2 2280 SSD slot unless you sacrifice wireless. Priced around the 1,000 US dollar mark and competing with systems that offer stronger integrated graphics, the Z11 Plus makes the most sense for users who prioritize connectivity, multi-monitor capability and desktop responsiveness over maximum iGPU performance.

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• ASUS ROG Crosshair X870E Hero BTF @ TechPowerUp

  Published: Wednesday, December 31, 2025 | By: Eddie

  TechPowerUp presents the ASUS ROG Crosshair X870E Hero BTF as the current flagship statement piece for rear connector AM5 builds. By bringing one of its top Crosshair boards into the BTF family, ASUS is clearly signaling that rear connector layouts are not just a niche experiment but a direction it intends to push hard, especially when paired with BTF 2.0 and GC HPWR for power cable free graphics cards. In terms of positioning, this board and its Z890 BTF counterpart sit at the very top of the rear connector ecosystem with almost no true high end competition. There are cheaper reverse connector alternatives such as MSI’s MAG X870E Tomahawk Max WiFi PZ, Gigabyte’s X870 Aorus Stealth Ice, and even ASUS’ own TUF Gaming B850 BTF WiFi W, all of which cost roughly half as much while still offering features like WiFi 7, 5 Gb Ethernet, dual PCIe Gen 5 SSD support and tool free M.2 heatsinks. However, the Hero BTF adds the GC HPWR connector, the BTF 2.0 and 2.5 ecosystem and Crosshair level fit and finish, and its aesthetics and feel are described as every bit worthy of its price if you specifically want a showcase BTF system.
  
  

  

  ASUS shows off the most high-end BTF reverse connector motherboard on Socket AM5 yet, featuring its unique cable-free GC-HPWR GPU power connector too. But do these and its other features justify its sizable price tag this late into the motherboard life cycle?

  
  That price is the main barrier. TechPowerUp expects very little change from 700 US dollars for the BTF model, while the standard Crosshair X870E Hero is now around 600, making this version an expensive indulgence and pushing it out of reach for many builders, especially given the limited number of compatible BTF cases. Compared to the original Hero, SSD temperatures appear improved, likely due to heatsink tweaks, and overall performance remains excellent. At the same time, some features you might reasonably expect at this level are missing: no 10 Gb Ethernet, no Slim SAS, and the enhanced front panel Type C power delivery seen on the regular Hero is gone, while rivals from MSI and Gigabyte can offer dual PCIe Gen 5 SSDs without sacrificing GPU lanes by trading off USB4 instead. The conclusion is that the ROG Crosshair X870E Hero BTF is the only ultra high end rear connector option for AMD owners who want the cleanest possible BTF system and are willing to pay a premium and accept limited case choices. For everyone else, far cheaper reverse connector boards with many of the same core features will make more practical sense.

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• Top-Rated Network Attached Storage (NAS) Solutions on Amazon

  Published: Tuesday, December 30, 2025 | By: Eddie

  Why a NAS matters more than ever

  One failed hard drive is all it takes to wipe out years of photos, documents, and creative work. Cloud services can help, but they come with trade-offs: recurring fees, changing terms of service, and the uncomfortable reality that “your” data lives on someone else’s infrastructure. Lose access to your account, miss a payment, or have a phone stolen, and those backups are no longer fully under your control.

  A NAS (Network Attached Storage) is a small, always-on storage server that sits on the local network. It can run scheduled PC backups, sync folders between laptops, and automatically ingest photos and videos from iOS and Android using first-party apps from Synology, QNAP, ASUSTOR, and TerraMaster. On top of simple backup, modern NAS platforms can also act as private app servers for Plex, WordPress, photo galleries, download clients, and more, with web-based interfaces that are far easier to live with than rolling your own home server.

  For this guide, the focus is on top-rated NAS enclosures that are currently sold on Amazon US, roughly between US$200 and US$600. These are not the cheapest boxes on the site; they are the models that repeatedly show up in “best NAS” and Plex-ready roundups and have the right mix of hardware, software, and long-term support.
  
  
  
  

  1) Synology DiskStation DS224+ (2-Bay, Diskless) – Best overall home NAS
  
  

  
  
  

  Click to buy on Amazon
  
  

  Why this pick
  If you ask most people in the NAS space for a default home recommendation, DS224+ is what they mean. It’s a compact 2-bay system built around an Intel Celeron J4125 CPU and Synology’s DSM 7 operating system. Reviews and buying guides consistently call it one of the best all-around home NAS options thanks to its balance of performance, power efficiency, and software maturity.

  DSM includes Synology Photos for phone-camera backup, Synology Drive for PC file sync, and Active Backup tools that can protect entire PCs, Macs, and even some cloud accounts. For a lot of households, this becomes the primary place where everything important eventually lands.

  Key specs (high level)

  • CPU: Intel Celeron J4125, 4-core 2.0–2.7 GHz
  • Bays: 2 × 3.5"/2.5" SATA (diskless)
  • RAM: 2 GB DDR4 (user-expandable to 6 GB)
  • Network: 2 × 1 GbE with link aggregation
  • Software: DSM 7 with packages for backups, Plex, Docker, photo management, surveillance, and more

  Best for:
  Users who want a “no drama” first NAS for centralized backups, photo archiving, and light media serving, with a very polished OS and strong vendor ecosystem.

  
  
  
  2) QNAP TS-464-8G-US (4-Bay, Diskless, 2.5GbE) – Power user / small office pick

  

  CLICK TO BUY ON AMAZON

  Why this pick
  TS-464-8G is the “do everything” 4-bay box for power users. It uses an Intel Celeron N5105/N5095 quad-core CPU with 8 GB DDR4 RAM, dual 2.5GbE ports, M.2 NVMe slots for SSD caching, and even HDMI 2.0 for direct-attach display options.

  QNAP’s QTS OS targets more advanced users: it supports Plex, containers, virtual machines, snapshot-based backup, and a wide range of sync tools, while still behaving like a storage appliance rather than a DIY server. This is the pick that can start life as a basic backup box and grow into a small lab or Plex machine without feeling under-specced.

  Key specs (high level)

  • CPU: Intel Celeron N5105/N5095, 4-core (burst up to ~2.9 GHz)
  • Bays: 4 × 3.5"/2.5" SATA (diskless)
  • RAM: 8 GB DDR4 (expandable)
  • Network: 2 × 2.5GbE (up to 5 Gbps aggregated)
  • Expansion: 2 × M.2 NVMe slots, PCIe slot, HDMI 2.0
  • Software: QTS with Plex, Qsync, Container Station, hybrid backup, and more

  Best for:
  Power users and small home/offices that want 4 bays, multi-gig networking, and room to experiment with Plex, containers, and light virtualization.

  
  
  
  3) ASUSTOR AS5402T (2-Bay, Diskless, 2.5GbE + HDMI) – Media-centric 2-bay NAS
  
  

  
  
  

  CLICK TO BUY ON AMAZON

  Why this pick
  AS5402T is a modern 2-bay NAS that leans heavily into speed and media features. It uses an Intel Celeron N5105 CPU, includes dual 2.5GbE, four M.2 NVMe slots, three USB 3.2 Gen2 ports, and HDMI 2.0b for 4K output to a TV.

  ASUSTOR’s ADM OS comes with a broad app store (Plex, Docker, backup tools, surveillance) and a suite of mobile apps like AiFoto and AiMaster that let owners initialize the NAS from a phone and push mobile photos/videos directly into private storage.

  Key specs (high level)

  • CPU: Intel Celeron N5105, quad-core 2.0 GHz
  • Bays: 2 × 3.5"/2.5" SATA (diskless) + 4 × M.2 NVMe
  • RAM: 4 GB DDR4 (up to 16 GB)
  • Network: 2 × 2.5GbE; 3 × USB 3.2 Gen2
  • Video: HDMI 2.0b with 4K support
  • Software: ADM OS with App Central, media, backup, and container apps

  Best for:
  Users who want a compact but high-end 2-bay NAS that can back up devices and act as a serious Plex / media hub, including direct HDMI output to the living-room TV.

  
  
  
  4) TerraMaster F4-423 (4-Bay, Diskless, 2.5GbE) – Value 4-bay multi-gig NAS
  
  

  
  
  

  CLICK TO BUY ON AMAZON

  Why this pick
  F4-423 is the value-driven 4-bay choice that still brings modern hardware. It uses an Intel Celeron N5095 quad-core CPU, comes with 4 GB DDR4 RAM (expandable to 32 GB), and includes dual 2.5GbE ports for faster network throughput when paired with a multi-gig switch or router.

  TerraMaster’s TOS platform supports multiple backup schemes (Centralized Backup, Duple Backup, snapshots, CloudSync) and common media apps including Plex. Reviews often position the F4-423 as one of the most affordable “media-class” 4-bay NAS units on the market at around the US$500 mark.

  Key specs (high level)

  • CPU: Intel Celeron N5095, quad-core 2.0 GHz (burst higher)
  • Bays: 4 × 3.5"/2.5" SATA (diskless)
  • RAM: 4 GB DDR4 (expandable up to 32 GB)
  • Network: 2 × 2.5GbE (up to 5 Gbps aggregated)
  • Software: TOS with backup, snapshot, CloudSync, and media apps

  Best for:
  Buyers who want 4 bays, multi-gig networking, and aggressive pricing, and don’t mind a slightly more “enthusiast” OS compared to Synology.

  Quick buying tips

  • 2 bays vs. 4 bays
  • 2-bay models (Synology DS224+, ASUSTOR AS5402T) are ideal for mirrored RAID1 plus optional SSD cache.
  • 4-bay models (QNAP TS-464, TerraMaster F4-423) allow RAID5, higher total capacity, and mixing HDDs with SSDs for caching.
  • Network speed
  • DS224+ sticks with dual 1 GbE, which is fine for backups and light streaming.
  • The other three all step up to dual 2.5GbE, which is worth it if there’s already (or soon will be) a 2.5GbE router/switch at home or in a small office.
  • Mobile device backup
  • Synology Photos / Drive, QNAP’s Qfile/Qsync, ASUSTOR’s AiFoto, and TerraMaster’s TNAS Mobile all support backing up photos and videos from phones directly to the NAS — perfect for the “protect your mobile memories without trusting a third-party cloud” story.
  • Drives to pair with these
  • All four are diskless enclosures. For most home users, NAS-rated HDDs such as Seagate IronWolf or WD Red Plus in the 4–8 TB range per drive hit a good balance of cost, performance, and reliability.

  
  
  
  Final thoughts

  From a “data insurance” perspective, a good NAS is simply a quiet guardian in the background, taking care of backups for PCs and phones without the privacy trade-offs and long-term uncertainty of a pure cloud strategy. In this lineup, Synology’s DS224+ naturally serves as the baseline recommendation: a user-friendly first NAS that makes centralizing backups and photo libraries feel approachable rather than intimidating. QNAP’s TS-464-8G-US then steps in for power users and small offices that want four bays, 2.5GbE, and the headroom to layer on Plex, containers, and more demanding workloads over time. ASUSTOR’s AS5402T leans into the media angle with HDMI, multi-gig networking, and strong app support, making it especially appealing as a living-room or creator-focused NAS that can double as a media hub. TerraMaster’s F4-423 rounds out the group as the value-driven 4-bay multi-gig option, offering plenty of capacity and speed at a more aggressive price point for buyers who are comfortable with a slightly more enthusiast-oriented interface. Taken together, these four systems give Amazon shoppers a clear short list: decide how many bays are really needed, whether multi-gig and HDMI matter, and then use the ASINs and links to confirm the current price and availability before committing to the box that will safeguard their data for the next several years.

  
  
  

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• Funky Kit Review - ADATA XPG PYMCORE 850W SFX PSU

  Published: Monday, December 29, 2025 | By: Eddie

  Funky Kit describes the ADATA XPG Pymcore 850W SFX as a compact but genuinely high-end SFX power supply aimed at small yet powerful gaming PCs. In testing it delivers the performance and efficiency that the marketing promises, running very efficiently, staying surprisingly quiet for its size, and handling modern high-power GPUs and CPUs without drama. It is ATX 3.1 compliant, uses a high-duty capacitor array of Japanese capacitors, and supports massive short-term power excursions up to about 235 percent of its rated output, which puts it in the same class as many new 1 kW ATX 3.1 units despite the tiny SFX footprint.
  
  

  

  " ...  The XPG PYMCORE 850W power supply is highly recommended if you have plans for a small yet powerful gaming PC. The PSU performs well, is quiet, has high wattage, and is designed to protect our PC in the best possible way. The XPG PYMCORE is definitely an answer if you're looking for a high-power SFX PSU for your daily challenges!  "

  
  The review notes that availability is still limited and there was no firm MSRP at review time, but ADATA PSUs of this class typically land in the roughly 120 to 160 US dollar range, which would make the Pymcore 850W a strong value if that holds true. Officially it carries a 7-year warranty, with some indications it may be sold in certain regions with up to a 10-year warranty, reinforcing the impression of good build quality and long-term reliability. Overall scoring is 8.4 out of 10, and Funky Kit gives it an Editor’s Choice award, recommending it strongly for anyone planning a compact gaming build who needs high wattage, low noise and proper support for next-gen GPUs via a full 600 W 12V-2x6 connector, while accepting that the exterior styling is quite plain and that buyers may have to wait for stock to appear.

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