Tech News
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Funky Kit Review - EPOMAKER HE75 V2 TMR Magnetic Keyboard
Published: Monday, September 28, 2026 | By: DennisYou know, I have no idea what a magnetic key switch is.. and at this point I am afraid to ask. But it seems to be the next big thing in mechanical key switch technology and driving the next wave of ultra uber insert marketing speak key switch that will define the second coming in gaming keyboards. A magnet
For the record, I am not a fan of the RGB lighting location on this keyboard but, that is mostly keycap anyway.
The EPOMAKER HE75 V2 TMR is an impressive all-round keyboard that combines excellent gaming performance with a comfortable typing experience and plenty of customization. With its TMR technology, premium construction and versatile switch support, it is an easy keyboard to recommend for both gamers and enthusiasts.
We did several Epomaker keyboard reviews and found their products to be both, inexpensive and quite good as they have taken the approach of flooding the market with keyboard related products in hopes that something will stand out enough to sell.
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OpenAI pauses training after a model escaped containment
Published: Monday, September 28, 2026 | By: DennisOk I am going to put this story in the "OMG that is funny” Basically, the story is recalling an incident where OpenAI was testing a model and then realized that it broke out of its sandbox. The story claims that it was being "trained" but, that is a bit of a stretch since the training was already done on the "model" but the agent/inference front end was being tested.
As a software developer I have written my share of test cases and while I try to make sure that every test is safe and repeatable there comes a time when the sheer number of tests can often overlap and expose gaps. That is basically what happened here and instead of having the agent front end in a protected network, it figured out how to read the network map and make its own route.
The story talks about how it changed a DNS entry to break containment and that exposes two issues. First, the agent had system access to make the change and Second, whoever setup the network obviously had no idea what they were doing. In the world of AI, things move pretty fast and the humans in the loop have been getting soft trying to keep up.
What just happened? As almost every new day brings stories of another AI agent going rogue and breaching an organization's systems, OpenAI has announced a pause in the training of its most powerful artificial intelligence models. The announcement came hours after the company disclosed more incidents of its agents acting concerningly, and a separate report that its agents unsuccessfully tried to hack into a US Department of Education website.
I am not surprised about this report, a major part of any testing suite is a real attempt at trying to break the system and I suspect they used other OpenAI models to write the required prompts and didn't bother looking them over before starting the test.
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Fractal Design Refine 2 Fabric Dark Gaming Chair Review @ APH Networks
Published: Monday, September 14, 2026 | By: DennisFractal Design just released a number of new products and while the headlines focused on the Cases and Coolers there was another item on the list, the Fractal Design Refine 2 Gaming Chair.
Personally, I never paid much attention to gaming chairs, sure, they look nice but, at the end of the day they are often poorly designed and just taking advantage of a trend. Or... The chair copies other popular ergonomic designs and really dilutes the effort with low cost alternatives.
The Fractal Design Refine 2 Fabric Dark is a well-built gaming chair, but key improvements in ergonomics and functionality will take it to a different level.
The Refine 2 reminds me of every other ergo chair on the market and have no doubt that they are good, in fact I sat in one and was not completely offended. So, if you are looking to upgrade you butt cradle be sure to give the Refine a sit.
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Funky Kit Review - ASRock X870E Taichi 10th Anniversary Motherboard
Published: Thursday, September 3, 2026 | By: DennisNot to be outdone by the parent company ASUS, the little engine that could, ASRock, has released their 10th anniversary Taichi motherboard. I am pretty sure that 10 years ago the hot chipset and processor combo was Intel making their AMD X870E Taichi release a little suspect.
But, then again, they are trying to ride the anniversary wave and will do anything to get some action.
Overall, the ASRock X870E Taichi 10th Anniversary is an excellent choice for anyone looking to build a high-performance AMD system that delivers both flagship functionality and a unique, premium aesthetic.
ASRock has been a very difficult company to work with when it comes to marketing assets and reviews. They have their golden list of companies and extremely tight marketing budgets showing that they are more interested in making sure the sales channel works than adding a positive disruption to it.
You know, until the parent company says, hey we are doing an anniversary edition motherboard, you should too and it will be awesome! (or however you say that in Mandarin)
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Fractal Design Radius 240 RGB Black All-in-One Liquid Cooler Review @ APH Networks
Published: Thursday, September 3, 2026 | By: DennisFractal Design, that company you know that makes some pretty nice computer cases has now jumped head first into the AIO cooler market with the Radius 240 RGB. As you can imagine this is an AIO watercooler with RGB and RGB fans.
The Fractal Design Radius 240 RGB Black is a desirable liquid CPU cooler that offers robust performance in a polished package.
From what I can tell, its not a bad cooler but... also not all that special either. Though, I do like the mounting hardware.
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G.SKILL Launches Flare X5X Series DDR5 Memory with AMD EXPO Technology: Featuring Ultra Low Latency
Published: Thursday, September 3, 2026 | By: DennisG.SKILL International Enterprise Co., Ltd., the world's leading brand of performance overclock memory, announces the launch of the new Flare X5X series DDR5 memory, with initial launch specification of DDR5-6000 CL36-36-36-76 32GB (2x16GB). Continuing G.SKILL's long-standing commitment to memory overclocking technology and high-speed memory, the Flare X5X series DDR5 is designed for users seeking high performance and a clean minimalist hardware aesthetic. Supporting the latest AMD EXPO Technology: Featuring Ultra Low Latency, also known as AMD EXPO ULL, the Flare X5X series overclocking profile leverages fine-tuned memory sub-timings for performance with supported AMD CPU, motherboard, and BIOS.
"AMD EXPO Technology: Featuring Ultra Low Latency" is the newly announced memory overclocking technology released by AMD. Compared to existing G.SKILL DDR5 memory kits that includes AMD EXPO support, the new Flare X5X series come with AMD EXPO™ ULL that includes multiple extra-tuned memory sub-timing settings in the overclocking profile, which help deliver better latency performance at the same memory speed. PC enthusiasts can experience the enhanced performance by enabling the AMD EXPO ULL memory overclock profile on a system with compatible AMD CPU, motherboard, and supported BIOS version.
Sleek Design, Minimalist Aesthetic
The Flare X5X series feature a sleek, minimalist design without RGB lighting, embracing a clean appearance that embodies the modern aesthetic of high-performance hardware. Simple lines blend with refined details to create a sophisticated visual appeal, while the design language delivers a premium and elegant style.
Specification & Availability
The initial launch specification of the Flare X5X series memory is DDR5-6000 CL36-36-36-76 32GB (16GBx2), supporting AMD EXPO™ ULL memory overclock technology. Each memory kit has undergone internal validation testing to ensure outstanding quality.
The Flare X5X Series will be available in markets worldwide in phases. For more product information and availability, please contact your local G.SKILL distributors and retail partners.
Important:
- Prior to enabling EXPO in BIOS, memory kits will boot at the SPD speed at default BIOS settings with compatible hardware.
- Features of "AMD EXPO Technology: Featuring Ultra Low Latency" requires compatible AMD-based motherboard, supported BIOS version, and correct system configuration.
- The rated EXPO specification requires overclocking/BIOS adjustments. Maximum speed and performance depend on system components, including motherboard and CPU.
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AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D 10th Anniversary @ TechPowerUp
Published: Saturday, August 22, 2026 | By: Dennis10 years?!? As it really been that long since the first launch of the AMD Ryzen processor?
The AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D 10th Anniversary Edition brings back the legendary CPU known for its revolutionary 3D V-Cache tech. At $340, it's a compelling option, especially if you already have an existing AM4 setup. As bonus, AMD includes a Carbice thermal pad for enhanced cooling, which we ran through 450 heat cycles to confirm performance.
I don't review to many processors but I do read some of the reviews and when I see sites going through 450 heat cycles just to confirm that a processor is doing what it's supposed to be doing you have to wonder.... Why?
Sure, they could be testing the new thermal pad, it is supposed to get better with age and needs to be heat and pressure set to start working. I got the demo of this new product during CES and while, I see the benefit I also see true enthusiasts upgrading long before the thermal pad will activate or even notice a difference.
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GIGABYTE X870E AERO X3D DARK WOOD Review @ Vortez
Published: Saturday, August 22, 2026 | By: DennisIf the showing during Computex 2026 is any indication there is a new "trend" hitting the PC hardware market, Wood. I want to say it started with the Fractal North and has started spreading to include Antec + Noctua and even Cooler Master.
The latest Wood fan is Gigabyte and they have two color options available, Light and Dark.
At first glance, you'd be forgiven for thinking the GIGABYTE X870E AERO X3D DARK WOOD belongs in a luxury office rather than at the heart of a high-performance gaming PC. Instead of the usual sharp angles and RGB overload, GIGABYTE has opted for a sophisticated wood-inspired design complemented by metallic accents and a leather pull tab, giving the DARK WOOD a unique identity in a market where most motherboards tend to blend together.
I've always been a fan of dark wood, in fact I stained the final version of the dual subwoofer build project black and sanded it back to show just enough grain to keep things interesting. Now I just need the other items to match and I'll be a real casemodder (sic) LOL
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ES Chiller 700 from Alphacool
Published: Saturday, August 22, 2026 | By: DennisAlphacool has a huge line of watercooling options for the enterprise allowing companies to convert their existing aircooled servers into watercooled monsters. We got to see these first hand at CES this year.
The latest addition is the new ES Chiller 700. Typically, when you watercool systems you use a pump to circulate the liquid and a series of radiators to remove heat from the loop. This is extremely efficient and the basis for cooling in the modern AI datacenter. Thing is, with watercooling using a traditional radiator you can never go below ambient and thus limits your thermal headroom.
For example, if it is 40c outside your cooling loop will always be hotter at 40c and if your system cannot be above 60c that will limit your performance. Now, if you introduce a chiller in the mix you can set the coolant temperature to whatever you want and gain a ton of thermal headroom to support more devices or even dabble with some overclocking.
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Alphacool International GmbH from Braunschweig is a pioneer in PC liquid-cooling technology. With one of the industry’s most comprehensive product portfolios and more than 20 years of experience, Alphacool is expanding its Enterprise Solutions portfolio with the ES Chiller 700, a powerful compressor cooling system for server and workstation applications.
With a maximum cooling capacity of 700 watts, the ES Chiller 700 handles both cooling and circulation of the coolant. Its integrated pump delivers a maximum head of up to 10 m, allowing the chiller to be integrated directly into the cooling loop without the need for an additional pump.
The integrated display provides convenient access to a range of settings, including precise temperature control in increments of 0.3°C. A built-in reservoir with a capacity of 2 liters and standard G1/4" ports enable straightforward integration into existing liquid-cooling systems.
For reliable operation, the ES Chiller 700 features overvoltage protection for the compressor as well as alarm functions that warn of insufficient flow or excessive temperatures. The stationary unit also features a carrying handle for easy transportation when required.
The Alphacool ES Chiller 700 is now available in the Alphacool online shop.
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Razer Pro Type Ergo Keyboard Review @ Madshrimps
Published: Saturday, August 22, 2026 | By: DennisIt is not every day that Razor sends out a review sample and unless you frequent the brick and mortar stores on a regular basis you may have never heard of this company. Some say they rose to power with the launch of a snake based gaming mouse that quickly got the attention of hungry gamers looking for an edge in their favorite games,
instead of, you know, gittn gud.
Madshrimps has a review of an ergo inspired Razor keyboard with RGB.
Razer brings premium keyboards meant for productivity purposes to a new level, by designing a case with a middle 10-degree slope, keeping the hands in a natural position for extended periods. The ultra-low-profile fingertip-shaped keycaps offer satisfying tactile feedback, a short distance till bottoming out, and the membranes ensure the noise is minimal. We have a lot of extra multi-functional keys, two knobs, one of which is taking duties as the Razer Command Dial, multiple connection options, a large replaceable battery but also two sets of double kickstands so we can position the keyboard with a large degree of customization
I have a hard time thinking this keyboard will be all that special and this is coming from someone who has used the Microsoft Natural since its inception. but, hey it supports AI prompting, so that is a thing that won't be replaced by STT anytime soon.
