NZXT, a leading designer of computer hardware, software, and services for the PC gaming community, today announces the release of the NZXT N7 & N5 Z690 motherboard, their latest Intel-based ATX motherboard with both the features and aesthetic that builders love.

The NZXT N7 Z690 improves on the experience builders have come to expect from NZXT. With Intel's newest chipset, support for Intel's 12th generation Alder Lake CPUs, PCIe Gen 5.0, and Wi-Fi 6e and Bluetooth V5.2, giving it all the features that make up a powerful gaming PC. The new N5 brings all features of the N7 but without the metal cover to give users all the features, but at a lower price. Giving people more options so that they can build a gaming PC to fit their needs.

Many companies, including Intel and AMD, have stopped product shipments to Russia amidst the war in Ukraine in the past few months. This has left the Russian state without any new processors from the two prominent x86 designers, thus slowing down the country's technological progress. To overcome this issue, it seems like the solution is embedded in the Chinese Zhaoxin x86 CPUs. According to the latest report from Habr, a motherboard designer called Dannie is embedding Chinese Zhaoxin x86 CPUs into motherboards to provide the motherland with an x86-capable processor. More precisely, the company had designed a BX-Z60A micro-ATX motherboard that embeds Zhaoxin's KaiXian KX-6640MA SoC with eight cores based on LuJiaZui microarchitecture. The SoC is clocked at a frequency range of 2.1-2.7 GHz, carries 4 MB of L2 cache, 16 lanes of PCIe 3.0, and has integrated graphics, all in a 25 Watt TDP.

As far as the motherboard is concerned, it supports two DDR4 memory slots, two PCIe x16 connectors, M.2-2280 and M.2-2230 slots, and three SATA III connectors for storage. For I/O you have USB ports, DisplayPort, HDMI, VGA/D-Sub, GbE, 3.5-mm audio, and additional PS/2 ports. This is a pretty decent selection; however, we don't know the pricing structure. A motherboard with KaiXian KX-6640MA SoC like this is certainly not cheap, so we are left to wonder if this will help Russian users deal with the newly imposed restriction on importing US tech.

XPG, a provider of high-performance products for Gamers, Esports Pros, and Tech Enthusiasts, is pleased to announce that the warranty period for the XPG PYLON 80 Plus Bronze certified power supply unit has been extended to 5 years. Previously the unit's warranty was limited to 3 years. XPG actively works to ensure the highest level of quality and reliability in all their products and happily extends that guarantee to the gamers.

The XPG PYLON is an 80 Plus Bronze certified power supply unit that can reach efficiency levels as high as 89%, delivering performance nearly rivaling that of Gold certified power supplies. It was designed for 24/7 continuous power system operation and comes in four wattage options - 450 W, 550 W, 650 W and 750 W - to meet the specific needs of various types of users and performance scenarios. All models feature DC-to-DC circuit 100% +12V. XPG PYLON complies with the Intel ATX Power Supply Design Guide's sleep mode function requirements and features a power delivery system that remains consistent and efficient, making it ideal for supporting mid to high-end graphic cards and CPUs. Its 120 mm Fluid Dynamic Bearing (FDB) fan runs nearly silent for a quiet user experience. Combined with its 105°C Japanese main capacitors, the XPG PYLON is whisper-quiet, highly efficient, and built to last.

BIOSTAR, a leading manufacturer of motherboards, graphics cards, and storage devices today introduces their brand new B660M-SILVER motherboard. Top shelf performance packed in a compact uATX form-factor, BIOSTAR's new B660M-SILVER motherboard is ready to take the market by storm. Designed based on Intel's B660 chipset, the B660M- SILVER carries unparalleled compatibility with all the latest Intel 12th gen processors.

Highly suitable for content creators, casual gamers, or as a solid base for a daily driver pc, the new B660M-SILVER motherboard is a jack of all trades, built to cater to a broad use spectrum. Carrying BIOSTAR's signature SILVER range styling and added RGB customizability, the B660M-SILVER motherboard makes any build look special.

DeepCool, a global brand in designing and manufacturing high-performance computer components for enthusiasts worldwide, announces a highly compatible CPU air cooler that offers impressive heat dissipation power in a compact and efficient design. With a slim profile, the AK400 air cooler serves as a thermal solution that can easily fit into mainstream ATX/MATX system builds. the unique design of the matrix form fin-stack and the non-RGB cover top offers a special aesthetic value to particular users.

The DeepCool AK400 Performance CPU Cooler is highly compatible and offers impressive heat dissipation power of 220 W in a compact and efficient design. Four direct touch copper heat pipes quickly transfer heat away from the processor into a dense matrix fin array heat sink for effective cooling performance.

Today CHIEFTEC is proud to introduce the new iteration of the highly successful Scorpion gaming tower series: The SCORPION 4. With a large mesh front panel, the latest version adapts to the increased power consumption of next-gen gaming components, which require optimal airflow and cooling to enable superior gaming performance. Stylistically, the Scorpion 4 sticks to the clean and elegant look of the series. The technical specifications of the chassis itself remains unchanged with ATX M/B support, 4x pre-installed A-RGB rainbow fans, 240 mm radiator support in the top, 2x 3.5" HDD and 2x 2.5" SSD support. We are excited to offer our customers a modernized version of an already well-received chassis.

The SCORPION 4 is the next iteration of the highly successful Scorpion gaming series by CHIEFTEC. The full Mesh front panel and four pre-installed A-RGB rainbow fans ensures even the highest performing gaming systems are well-cooled, without sacrificing on the beauty of RGB style. A tempered glass slide-to-open side panel provides a clear view on the components inside, while the A-RGB control hub allows for the lighting to be controlled via M/B Sync or via the included remote control. Building on the well-established foundation of the Scorpion series, the SCORPION 4 provides a great balance of airflow performance, style and functional quality.

Intel has published the most significant update to industry power supply specifications since the initial ATX 2.0 specs were introduced in 2003. Updated ATX 3.0 specifications unlock the full power and potential of next-generation hardware and upcoming components built for technologies like PCIe Gen 5.0. Intel has also revised its ATX12VO spec to provide the PC industry with an updated blueprint for designing power supply units (PSUs) and motherboards that reduce power draw at idle, helping customers lower electrical demand.

"Power supplies based on ATX 3.0 and ATX12VO 2.0 will ensure anyone looking to get the most stable and cost optimized performance possible with highest power efficiency out of their desktop PCs will be able to do so - both now and in the future, " said Stephen Eastman, Intel platform power specialist.

[Editor's note: We have posted our HYTE Y60 review here.]

HYTE, the new PC components, peripherals, and lifestyle brand of iBUYPOWER, today launched the new Y60 mid-tower PC case. Taking a new angle on design, the Y60 boasts a style unlike any other case available on the market.

The uniquely constructed Y60 ATX case features a three-part, bezel-less, tempered glass front and side panel that provides an unobstructed internal view from a left, right, or center orientation. When the glass panels are removed, chamfered molding on the ceiling and floor of the case draw the eye inward, creating a modern aesthetic and allowing the system to be displayed in an open-air format. Users will have the option to choose from three colorways, white and black, black and black, and red and black, to best fit the aesthetic of their setup.

ASRock Industrial launches a new range of industrial motherboards powered by 12th Gen Intel Core Processors (Alder Lake-S) with up to 16 cores and 24 threads, supporting the new Intel 600 Series W680, Q670, and H610 chipsets. Featuring high computing power with performance hybrid architecture and enhanced AI capabilities, rich IOs and expansions for up to quad displays 4K@60 Hz, USB 3.2 Gen2x2 (20 Gbit/s), triple Intel 2.5 GbE LANs with real-time TSN, multi M.2 Key M, ECC memory, plus TPM 2.0, and wide voltage support. The new series covers comprehensive form factors, including industrial Mini-ITX, Micro-ATX, and ATX motherboards for diverse applications, such as factory automation, kiosks, digital signage, smart cities, medical, and Edge AIoT applications.

Intel is reforming the ATX specification in a big way with ATX 3.0, and power supplies shipping with new 16-pin power connectors for the next generation PCI-Express Gen 5 graphics cards. The 16-pin 12VHPWR (12-Volt High Power). The need for a new connector standard is arising from the growing power demand from graphics cards, as contemporary high-end GPUs crossing the 375 W barrier (two 8-pin PCIe inputs), and some of today's high-end cards even shipping with typical board power values of 450 W at stock frequencies. Custom-design cards based on these GPUs create cable-spaghetti in your case, as they come with three or more 8-pin connectors. To solve these problems and more, Intel innovated the 12VHPWR.

The 12VHPWR connector has 12 electrical pins and 4 side-band pins, for a total of 16 pins. The side-band pins enable low-fi communication between the power-supply and the graphics card, and two of these pins, labeled "SENSE0" and "SENSE1," let the graphics card know what kind of connector is plugged in, so it can accordingly adjust its power-management. There are four variants of the 16-pin connector based on the electrical capability offered by the PSU. These include 600 W, 450 W, 300 W, and 150 W. The arrangement of the two SENSE pins is how the graphics card tells the four apart.

Phanteks announced the launch of the new Eclipse P600s and Evolv X Matte White Edition along with the Gen4 PCI-e Riser Cables. Its stunning all-new matte white look makes the Evolv X and Eclipse P600s a perfect combination for color-themed builds while maintaining a wide range of flexibility and premium materials.

Evolv X & Eclipse P600S Matte White Edition
The Evolv X and Eclipse P600s are mid-tower cases that offer dual system capabilities, massive storage, and extensive water-cooling support. The Evolv X features a 3 mm aluminium exterior with hinged clear tempered glass, improved airflow, smart spacing, and additional mesh elements. The P600s, a hybrid forged between silent and high-performance chassis. Designed with an effective soundproofing panel and Phanteks' new high-airflow fabric, the Eclipse P600s offers the full potential of two opposites, minimum noise, and maximum airflow. Whether it's a high-end water-cooling build, professional data storage system, or even a dual-system PC, both cases can accommodate your desired configuration thanks to the effective interior design that utilizes the space efficiently.

DeepCool, a global brand in designing and manufacturing high-performance computer components for enthusiasts worldwide, announces the CK SERIES Mid-Tower Cases, which consists the CK500, CK500WH, CK560 and CK560WH. Available in black and white, all cases deliver a balance of airflow, silent performance and exceptional cooling for the modern-day builder.

The CK SERIES deliver a no-nonsense approach to a clean, sleek computer chassis design. For Minimalist Builders who appreciate the CK500 and CK500WH minimal solid front panel can be rest assured that airflow performance is not hindered thanks to enlarged ventilation outlets throughout the front, top, and rear panels for additional air movement. For Builders that insist for even more airflow, the CK560 and CK560WH feature a unique cross-hair patterned steel front panel. All cases offer a clean aesthetic and fits a modern day look while being feature-packed for additional hardware expansion and upgrades.

Phanteks debuts a host of new products for the upcoming year at CES 2022 - The brand new Evolv Shift XT Mini-ITX Chassis and Revolt SFX Power Supplies, Matte White Editions for the Evolv X & Eclipse P600S Chassis, white SK PWM D-RGB Fans, white AMP Power Supply and a complete range of Gen4 PCIe Riser Cables and Gen4 Vertical GPU Bracket.

Brand new and unique Evolv Shift XT Mini-ITX Chassis and super compact Revolt SFX Power Supplies
Evolv Shift XT - Compact, Powerful, Futureproof
The Evolv Shift XT brings a unique small form factor that can extend in size to tailor to your cooling performance needs. The Evolv Shift XT has no compromise on performance with support for powerful hardware, whether in Compact, Aircooled, or Liquid Cooled Mode.

STEIGER DYNAMICS just released the third iteration of its critically acclaimed LEET HTPC case. Except for a few subtle but elegant changes in design, LEET III Chassis shares the same one-piece, hand-brushed, full-aluminium shell that made its predecessors so iconic. Accompanied by the 7" front LED display that features our own LEET Monitor app, and full open-loop liquid cooling support, LEET III Chassis redefines the term "Luxury Living Room PC enclosure".

LEET III Chassis is available in the colors Space Black and Royale Silver. Measuring 17.1 in x 8.7 in x 15.4 in (43.5 cm x 22.1 cm x 39 cm (WxHxD), 37.4 L volume), the 3rd iteration of the LEET Chassis boasts an optimized interior layout for improved airflow and increased GPU waterblock compatibility up to GeForce RTX 3090 Founders Edition and EVGA FTW3 cards. The 240 mm side air intake/exhaust has been redesigned with a minimum resistance mesh, increasing airflow and cooling efficiency. With the capability to handle the latest NVIDIA 30-series graphics cards, as well as the latest Intel 12th Gen and AMD Ryzen 5000-series CPUs, the LEET III Chassis has more flexibility, quality, and potential than ever before.

Thermaltake, the leading PC DIY premium brand for Case, Cooling, Gaming peripherals and enthusiast memory solutions, is excited to reveal the Divider 550 TG Ultra, the first Thermaltake chassis with an LCD screen to let users monitor PC real-time information and display customized GIF or images, at the 2022 Thermaltake EXPO January Virtual Exhibition.

Being the first case with an LCD screen in the Thermaltake collection, the Divider 550 TG Ultra is an ATX mid-tower chassis with a 3.9" LCD screen on the top of the front panel, offering a new way to monitor your PC's performance at the same time to show your own personality. Focusing on both function and appearance, the Divider 550 TG Ultra provides a crystal-clear view through a tempered glass side panel on the left side which allows users to fully display and admire all the components of their build; on the right side, it keeps the unique features of the Divider series incorporating a special symmetrical triangular side panel design, and provides better thermal extraction through the small holes on the side panel.

AZZA, a leading brand of computer cases and accessories, introduces the REGIS 902. This luxury case is uniquely designed with a cube form factor, elevated above the surface by a premium aluminium stand, and has an infinity mirror addressable RGB front panel. The exterior is complemented with black tinted tempered glass panels and two brushed aluminium mesh panels with a touch of gold trim on the edges. ATX motherboard compatible, the REGIS supports up to 336 mm long GPUs and dual 240/280 radiators.

The REGIS has 3-sided black tinted tempered glass panels, two sides for displaying the system, and the front for featuring an infinity mirror addressable RGB which uses an ultra-thin lighting module. The addressable RGB can be controlled via the case button, or synchronized with any motherboard software. At the bottom, two anodized and brushed aluminium panels with large mesh openings complete the frame of the Regis. Each panel is mounted on snap pins for tool-less removal. In addition, golden trims on 4 of the edges highlight the luxurious look of the cube.

Bringing the "do it yourself" ethos to the case itself, InWin today announced its new AIRFORCE ATX mid-tower and EXPLORER Mini-ITX DIY PC chassis. Following its innovative ultra-light ALICE PC chassis, the new AIRFORCE and EXPLORER are created for DIY enthusiasts to enjoy assembling detailed, modular gaming chassis on their own. Everything clips together effortlessly.


Made from strengthened ABS plastic with tempered glass side panels, choose between a simple Bone White or Justice White that has vibrant mixes of red, blue and yellow that users can assemble the modular 10-piece Mini-ITX chassis. Builders can choose between a ventilated ABS or SECC front panel - both are included in the box and can be easily swapped whenever! Other tool-less features include quick-release side panels and dust filters, in addition to the quick-release front panel.

Streacom, in collaboration with the Open Benchtable team, are pleased to announce the BC1 V2, the most significant update to the design since its inception. It's been quite an amazing collaboration and journey from our first conversations back in June 2015 at Computex, developing the prototypes used during the 2016 HWBOT World then releasing the BC1 to the world later that year, but that was just the start. The BC1 has gone on to pick up many awards and become the go-to benchtable not just for overclocking but across the entire scope of the industry.

During our many interactions over the years with supporters, PC DIY enthusiasts, industry partners, and system builders around the world, we have learned so much about everything that makes the BC1 great and all the things that could be improved. With that background introduction out of the way, let's get to the exciting part, introducing the BC1 V2, a familiar form factor but with a huge engineering re-design that is nothing short of spectacular. It aims to be more robust, more versatile, more functional, more practical and easier to use than ever before.

Antec Inc., a Californian supplier of high-performance computer components and accessories for the gaming, PC upgrade and Do-It-Yourself market, presents the NX250, the new model in the NX series. The mid-tower is now available at a very affordable price of € 54,99 (recommended retail price including VAT).

The NX series from Antec offers a large selection of gaming cases with LED lighting and eye-catching front panel designs. The new NX250 case rocks a futuristic front panel design featuring a brushed-aluminium looks as well as mesh air intake slots for idea airflow and optimized cooling performance fort he components.

Antec Inc., a Californian supplier of high-performance computer components and accessories for the gaming, PC upgrade and Do-It-Yourself market, presents the NX320, the new model in the NX series. The mid-tower is equipped with three 120 mm ARGB fans and is now available at a very affordable price of €69 (recommended retail price including VAT).

The NX series from Antec offers a large selection of gaming cases with LED lighting and eye-catching front panel designs. The new NX320 case has a side panel made of tempered glass and puts the built-in components in the limelight. The case from the entry-level segment measures 422 mm x 215 mm x 446 mm (DxWxH) and is compatible with ATX, mATX and ITX motherboards. The NX320 supports graphics cards with a length of up to 355 mm and CPU radiators with a maximum height of 160 mm. It offers space for up to six fans and is factory-fitted with three ARGB fans. In addition, the tower offers space for a 360 mm radiator at the front and a 120 mm cooler at the rear of the chassis.

TYAN, an industry-leading server platform design manufacturer and a MiTAC Computing Technology Corporation subsidiary, today introduced a new Intel Xeon E-2300 processor-based server motherboard to the market. The new product is designed to offer enhanced performance, greater PCIe support and faster memory speeds for entry-level servers in data centers and prevailing Multi-access Edge Computing (MEC) servers in 5G networks.

"TYAN's Tempest CX S5560 server motherboard based on Intel Xeon E-2300 processor is optimized for cloudand edge computing applications. By utilizing Intel's features of increased DDR4 speeds, double M.2 slots, and PCIe 4.0 capabilities, TYAN's customers can get outstanding performance and maintain their competitiveness with cost-effective benefit", said Danny Hsu, Vice President of MiTAC Computing Technology Corporation's Server Infrastructure Business Unit.

[Editor's note: We have posted a review of Fractal Design Torrent Black RGB TG Light Tint Case here.]

The Torrent is a brand new high-performance PC case devoted entirely to providing premium airflow straight out of the box. The attention to detail is reflected in everything from the choice of components to the streamlined design inside and out, and the result is a case that goes further than any previous Fractal case in the pursuit of ultimate airflow.

When it comes to technical innovations, the main standouts include a brand-new component layout, the open front grille and two 180 x 38 mm Dynamic PWM or Prisma RGB fans custom-made to achieve maximum air cooling while maintaining controlled noise levels. The Torrent ships with another three 140 mm fans (Dynamic or Prisma for RGB) pre-installed for a total of five. (Fun fact: if you're a really big fan of airflow, you can get an additional pair of 180 mm Dynamic/Prisma fans separately and replace the 140 mms for a total of four massive 180 mm fans.)

Intel's upcoming Alder Lake family of processors, more specifically the desktop ALD-S SKUs, are supposedly going to require a higher peak current for the upcoming processors. In the table provided by the Chinese tech media outlet, FCPOWERUP, we are seeing that ALD-S processors have different power requirements for the ATX12V rails on their power supplies. The listed table shows the previous generation of Intel processors, the 10th and 11th generation, as available in 165 Watt variants. Even though there are no 165 Watt Comet Lake and Rocket Lake SKUs, this is only a placeholder for their PSU recommendations in case those SKUs were to be released.

According to the table, the peak current recommendation for the upcoming Alder Lake is higher at least 5 Amps across all SKUs. The 165 Watt SKUs have the requirement of 45 Amps (compared to the 40 A of Comet Lake and Rocket Lake), while the 125 Watt SKUs require 39 Amps, which is higher than the previous 34 Amp requirement. For 65 Watt models, the new peak recommendation is 38.5 Amps, a jump from the previous 30 Amp choice. The lowest rated 35 Watt SKUs are recommended to use 20.5 A, while the previous generations used 16.5 A current. It should be noted that the continuous rating has not been changed (new generation 35 Watt models actually use less current), which indicates that Alder Lake could have higher peak usages of power, meaning that PSU choice should be made with a 50-100 Watt higher rating.

Cooler Master today launches four new colorways for the NR200P. In close collaboration with Reddit's community of builders, the colors are the result of a Reddit survey hosted by our fellow PC enthusiasts.

By Popular Vote
The popularity of the original NR200(P) was made possible only by the community's support. Having garnered overwhelmingly positive reviews and shifting an industry to make m-ITX builds more accessible, Cooler Master has decided that it is time to celebrate. All 4 colors are debuting during Cooler Master's Summer Summit 2021:

• Flamingo Pink
• Caribbean Blue
• Sunset Orange
• Nightshade Purple

Sharkoon Technologies is an international supplier of high-performance, quality PC components and peripherals. With the REV300, Sharkoon now presents a PC case of a different kind. Besides seven pre-installed PWM RGB fans for optimal cooling, the case also comes with addressable fan LEDs for customized lighting. In addition, since the tempered glass side panel is placed on the right-hand side of the case, the REV300 offers the possibility for a better presentation of the illuminated hardware components.

With seven pre-installed, addressable PWM fans, the REV300 is equipped with maximum cooling capacity as standard: There are three 140-millimeter fans behind the front panel and three 120-millimeter models at the rear of the case, as well as one more with 120 millimeters under the top panel. These RGB fans are supported by the front panel's mesh grille which facilitates the airflow. Water cooling can also be built into the REV300: A radiator of up to 360 millimeters can be installed at the rear, and there is even space for a radiator of up to 420 millimeters at the front, provided that it does not exceed 3.2 centimeters in height. Furthermore, it should not be longer than 46.5 centimeters and no wider than 14.1 centimeters.