ASUS today announced the RT-BE88U, the world's first WiFi 7 router that offers up to 34 Gbps of combined wired network capacity. With a 10 Gbps LAN / WAN port, a 10 Gbps LAN / WAN SFP+ port and four 2.5 Gbps ports, the RT-BE88U stands ready to deliver massive amounts of Ethernet performance for online gaming, media streaming and more - now and well into the future. It also offers up to 7200 Mbps of cutting-edge WiFi 7 networking, bringing the enhanced data rates of 4K-QAM and dual-band Multi-Link Operation to compatible devices. Plus, Guest Network Pro, subscription-free security features and site-to-site VPN support help to make an RT-BE88U-based network flexible, safe and easy to manage.

The WiFi 7 advantage
With WiFi 7 cornerstones such as the boosted data rates of 4K-QAM and dual-band Multi-Link Operation (MLO), the ASUS RT-BE88U ushers in a whole new wave of networking possibilities. 4K-QAM increases speeds by packing signals more tightly, which increases bandwidth efficiency. Thus, data rates can be up to 20% higher than what a WiFi 6 network can achieve. Meanwhile, Dual-band Multi-Link Operation (MLO) lets a WiFi 7 device connect to both a 2.4 GHz and a 5 GHz network to increase throughput and minimize latency. This future-proofs the network, giving users the capacity to handle even more connected devices without sacrificing performance

A Chinese Topton company has brought new life to the AMD Vega graphics architecture by integrating it into a Network Attached Storage (NAS) motherboard. The Topton N9 NAS motherboard features the Intel Core i7-8705G processor, a unique chip that combines Intel CPU cores with AMD's RX Vega M GL graphics. The Intel Core i7-8705G, initially released in 2018, is an unusual choice for a NAS system. This 14 nm processor features four cores, eight threads, and a boost clock of up to 4.1 GHz. What sets it apart is the integrated AMD RX Vega M GL GPU with 20 Compute Units and 4 GB of HBM2 memory.

The Topton N9 NAS motherboard is designed for the 17×17 cm ITX form factor and offers a range of features like maximum support for 64 GB of DDR4 RAM, M.2 NVMe/SATA and SATA 3.0, eight Intel i226-V controllers for 2.5 Gbit networking, USB 3.0, USB Type-C, and HDMI 2.0 connectivity. While the Intel Core i7-8705G may not be the most obvious choice for a NAS system, the Topton N9 motherboard demonstrates how this unique processor can be repurposed to provide affordable computing power. The integrated AMD RX Vega graphics offer capabilities beyond typical NAS requirements, making this motherboard suitable for various applications, such as home firewalls and routers. The collaboration between Intel and AMD in creating the Kaby Lake-G processors was a rare occurrence in the industry. The Topton N9 starts at $288.56 without a fan/cooler, and adding another $20 bumps the price to $308.46.

The PC master race has yielded many interesting activities for enthusiasts alike, with perhaps the pinnacle of activities being overclocking. Usually, subjects for overclocking include CPUs, GPUs, and RAM, with other components not actually being capable of overclocking. However, the enthusiast force never seems to settle, and today, we have proof of overclocking an off-the-shelf 2.5-inch SATA III NAND Flash SSD thanks to Gabriel Ferraz, a Computer Engineering graduate, and TechPowerUp's SSD database maintainer. He uses the RZX Pro 256 GB SSD in the video, a generic NAND Flash drive. The RZX Pro uses the Silicon Motion SM2259XT2 single-core, 32-bit ARC CPU running up to 550 MHz. It has two channels at 400 MHz, each with eight chip enable interconnects, allowing up to 16 NAND Flash dies to operate. The SSD doesn't feature a DRAM cache or support a host memory buffer. It has only one NAND Flash memory chip from Kioxia, uses BiCS FLASH 4 architecture, has 96 layers, and has 256 GB capacity.

While this NAND Flash die is rated for up to 400 MHz or 800 MT/s, it only ran at less than half the speed at 193.75 MHz or 387.5 MT/s at default settings. Gabriel acquired a SATA III to USB 3.0 adapter with a JMS578 bridge chip to perform the overclock. This adapter allows hot swapping of SSDs without the need to turn off the PC. He shorted two terminals in the drive's PCB to get the SSD to operate without its default safe mode. Mass Production Tools (MPTools), which OEMs use to flash SSDs, were used to change the firmware settings. Each NAND Flash architecture has its own special version of MPTools. The software directly shows control of the Flash clock, CPU clock, and output driving. However, additional tweaks like Flash IO driving with subdivisions need modifications. Control and Flash On-Die Termination (ODT) and Schmitt window trigger (referring to the Schmitt trigger comparator circuit) also needed a few modifications to make it work.

TP-Link, a leading global provider of consumer and business networking products, and the first-to-market Wi-Fi 7 brand, is proud to announce its latest line of Wi-Fi 7 innovations at CES 2024. This exciting lineup features a more robust collection of Deco Mesh Wi-Fi systems, next-gen Archer routers, and the industry's most powerful gaming router, along with the debut of the world's first Wi-Fi 7 client adapter. TP-Link is committed to delivering an unparalleled connectivity experience for homes of any size and internet access type.

Wi-Fi 7 Whole Home Mesh All-Scenario Solution
Deco offers a seamlessly integrated and comprehensive mesh Wi-Fi solution, allowing users to effortlessly create a whole home mesh Wi-Fi system. Whether consumers have a small apartment or a spacious residence with expansive floor plans and outdoor requirements, Deco ensures a robust and reliable network with faster speeds, lower latency, and more capacity than ever before. At CES 2024, TP-Link will unveil an impressive end-to-end range of Deco solutions that fit any scenario, including the BE95, BE65 Pro, BE63, BE65-5G, BE65-PoE, BE25, BE25-Outdoor, and more.

Best-selling gaming headset and accessory maker Turtle Beach, today announced its critically acclaimed and highly-anticipated wireless controller, the Designed for Xbox Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra Wireless Smart Game Controller, is now available. Since its unveiling weeks ago, Turtle Beach's new king of wireless controllers has quickly set the new standard for what gamers should expect in a top-of-the-line gamepad. The Stealth Ultra uses Turtle Beach's proprietary low-latency wireless technology for connecting with Xbox consoles and Windows PCs, and Bluetooth for gaming on compatible Smart TVs and Android mobile devices.

An abundance of class-leading features begins with magnetic AntiDrift Hall Effect thumbsticks, precise and tactile microswitch buttons, and the innovative Connected Command Display dashboard that provides deep customization options. Adjustable short and long-pull triggers, four mappable buttons on the back, RGB lighting, plus the option to receive social notifications on the controller create the ultimate package for gamers who demand the absolute best. Turtle Beach's Stealth Ultra Wireless Controller is available for $199.99.

DeepCool, a pioneer in cutting-edge PC hardware, proudly introduces the MORPHEUS Modular ATX+ case—a game-changer designed for seasoned case modders and everyday PC building enthusiasts alike. The MORPHEUS redefines modularity, providing the flexibility to seamlessly switch between single and dual chamber configurations, complete with a vertical GPU mount and Gen 4 riser cable for an elevated user experience.

Embrace a new era of modularity with DeepCool's internally reconfigurable ATX+ chassis—the MORPHEUS. Offering unparalleled compatibility and a spacious layout, the MORPHEUS caters to the discerning tastes of DIY modders and casual PC enthusiasts. Break free from the monotony of fixed system layouts with the MORPHEUS. Effortlessly transition between the classic single chamber configuration and the dynamic dual chamber layout with a simple switch of a few parts. The package includes everything needed for the shift, including a vertical GPU mount with a Gen 4.0 riser cable.

Best-selling gaming headset and accessory maker Turtle Beach Corporation (Nasdaq: HEAR), today unveiled its eagerly anticipated first-wireless controller for Xbox and PC, the Designed for Xbox Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra Wireless Smart Game Controller. Turtle Beach's new king of wireless game controllers delivers ultra-premium performance through precision-crafted components and customization options for Xbox and PC gamers who demand the best. The Stealth Ultra features Turtle Beach's proprietary low-latency wireless connectivity to Xbox consoles and Windows PCs, and Bluetooth for gaming on supported Smart TVs and Android mobile devices. Stealth Ultra's tactile microswitches provide fast, reliable responses and are designed to last up to five times longer than standard buttons found in other controllers. AntiDrift thumbsticks eliminate drift for precise control, and adjustable short and long-pull triggers ensure a response suited to the game being played.

Turtle Beach's Stealth Ultra Controller also introduces a first-of-its-kind full-color Connected Command Display that lets gamers customize RGB lighting, game & chat audio settings, thumbstick sensitivity, mappable buttons, and more. Plus, patented Turtle Beach technology also lets gamers receive social notifications from their phone in the Connected Command Display dashboard on the controller. The Stealth Ultra also features adjustable power modes with the ability to provide up to 30-hours of battery life on a single charge, with power delivered via the included low-profile charging dock that also acts as a convenient place to store the controller when not in use. Turtle Beach's Designed for Xbox Stealth Ultra Wireless Smart Controller is available for pre-order today for $199.99 MSRP from www.turtlebeach.com and participating retailers worldwide. Stealth Ultra launches December 15, 2023.

AV Access, a leading provider of Pro AV and AV over IP solutions, is proud to present its latest innovation, the iDock C10 KVM switch docking station. This versatile device combines a dual monitor KVM switch and a 12-in-1 USB-C docking station, enabling users to control their desktop and laptop with two monitors and multiple peripherals, and switch between them seamlessly.

The iDock C10 4K KVM switch is designed to meet the needs of both home office and gaming enthusiasts. It features a USB-C (MST) input port for a laptop and an integrated HDMI + DisplayPort input port for a desktop computer. It also provides shared peripheral ports including 3x USB 3.0, 2x USB 2.0, 1x USB-C, 1x SD card, 1x LAN, 1x Toslink out, 1x 3.5 mm headset, and two HDMI outputs.

Kingston Digital, Inc., the Flash memory affiliate of Kingston Technology Company, Inc., a world leader in memory products and technology solutions, launched today the Best-in-Class Kingston IronKey D500S, hardware-encrypted USB flash drive providing military-grade security for classified data in transit. The D500S is FIPS 140-3 Level 3 (Pending) certified with new enhancements from NIST requiring secure microprocessor upgrades for stronger security and attack protections for government and military use. The drive self-tests upon bootup and includes thermal and voltage protection to automatically shut down when certain threshold is reached. Waterproof{{Footnote.N47812}, dustproof, shock and vibration resistant to Military Standards, crush-resistant and epoxy-filled, D500S' rugged zinc casing protects internal components from penetration attacks.

The Multi-Password option with Complex or Passphrase mode allows users to take ownership over their data, making it easier to remember the password to unlock the stringent security. Admin can reset a User password and enable a One-Time Recovery password to restore access should User password be forgotten. Both Admin and User can set a session-based Read-Only mode to protect the drive from malware on untrusted systems, while Admin can also set a Global Read-Only mode until reset. To keep data from getting into the wrong hands, Admin can enter a Crypto-Erase password that will destroy the data and reset the drive to prevent unauthorized access in compromising situations.

BIOSTAR, a leading manufacturer of motherboards, graphics cards, and storage devices today, is excited to unveil the BIELK-PAT industrial motherboard and MS-J6412 applications system, tailored to meet the rising demands of modern industries. The BIELK-PAT mainboard is an embodiment of versatility and innovation. Designed to support a broad range of temperature -40 °C ~ 85 °C and 9-24 V operational voltage, the BIELK-PAT mainboard thrives in diverse environments seamlessly integrating into workspaces like outdoor devices, EV charging stations, kiosks, and refrigerated factories. Under its robust framework, it houses an Intel Elkhart Lake SOC Processor and offers display outputs via LVDS, HDMI, and VGA. It supports 2x SO-DIMM DDR4 RAM up to 32 GB 3200 MHz and 2.5 GbE LAN powered by Intel.

Diving deeper into the specifications, the BIELK-PAT features a SATA III and an M.2 slot for storage, along with multiple USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 ports. It is a top choice for SI businesses seeking robust system integration builds with great hardware synergy with Windows 10 and Linux Ubuntu operating systems. The MS-J6412 applications system from BIOSTAR is ideal for fanless embedded system. Compact yet powerful, it is adept at driving POS systems, interactive kiosks, and interconnected IoT devices across many industries supported by its DC-IN design. It boasts a sleek, thin design and ensures quiet computing thanks to its groundbreaking, slim barebone fanless design.

World-renowned mobile accessory brand Spigen announced its newest series to their charging power accessory lineup: Spigen ArcDock Pro Multi Hub 6-in-1 and Spigen ArcDock Multi Hub 8-in-1.

Spigen ArcDock Pro Multi Hub 6-in-1 has 2 USB-C ports, 2 USB-A ports, 1 HDMI and 1 ethernet port. Compatible with USB4 and Thunderbolt 4, each USB-C and USB-A port is faster than USB 3.0, with a 10 Gbps data transfer speed. Also, the HDMI port of the Spigen ArcDock Pro Multi Hub 6-in-1 supports up to 8K@60 Hz. Lastly, with pass-through charging, it provides USB PD 85 W charging power.

Antec Inc., a Californian supplier of high-performance computer components and accessories for the gaming, PC upgrade and Do-It-Yourself market, presents the AX61 Elite, a model oft he budget-friendly AX series of Gaming cases. The mid-tower is equipped with four 120 mm ARGB fans and is now available at a very affordable price of € 79 (recommended retail price including VAT). The new AX series from Antec offers a large selection of gaming cases with LED lighting and eye-catching front panel designs - all at an affordable price. The new AX61 Elite case has a side panel made of tempered glass and puts the built-in components in the limelight. The air intakes at the front and bottom allow for excellent airflow.

The case measures 405 mm x 200 mm x 449 mm (D x W x H) and is compatible with ATX, micro-ATX and ITX motherboards. The AX61 Elite supports graphics cards with a length of up to 320 mm and CPU radiators with a maximum height of 160 mm. It offers space for up to 8 fans and is factory-fitted with three ARGB fans in the front and one in the rear. The main fan is used to daisy-chain the other two front fans for ARGB sync with the motherboard. In addition, the mid-tower offers space for a 120 / 240 / 360 mm radiator at the front of the chassis. The case offers 24 mm depth on the left side and 13 mm on the right side for easy cable management.

LG is something of an expert when it comes to silently launching new monitors and although its latest additions to its UltraGear range of gaming monitors are only minor variants of already existing products, it appears that we're looking at a pair of more affordable models. The 27GR93U-B and 32GR93U-B as the new models are called, measure 27 and 32-inches respectively and both offer 4K resolution and a 144 Hz refresh rate. Comparing the 27GR93U-B to the 27GN950-B, the first really obvious difference is the use of a standard IPS panel instead of a Nano IPS panel and this leads to a slight reduction in the DCI-P3 colour gamut from 98 to 95 percent.

The new models are only certified for FreeSync Premium, rather than FreeSync Premium Pro, but that appears to be the only obvious reduction in gaming features, as G-Sync compatible support, VRR, Black Stabilizer, Dynamic Action Sync, Crosshairs and the FPS counter are all present and accounted for. Both displays have two HDMI 2.1 ports, one DisplayPort 1.4 and one upstreams and two downstreams USB 3.0 ports, as well as a 4-pole 3.5 mm jack for a headset. On the plus side, these new models have slightly lower power consumption, with a typical power consumption of about 50 W for the 27-inch model and 65 W for the 32-inch model. The stand still supports tilt, height and pivot adjustment. No official pricing was announced, but we found the 27-inch model listed in Hong Kong for the equivalent of around US$560, which is around US$200 less than what the 27GN950-B retails for.

For those waiting for a 5K2K or 5120 x 2160 gaming monitor, it seems like you're going to have to wait a while longer yet, as LG's latest addition in the ultrawide 4K category is targeting professional users. The 39.7-inch Nano IPS based display tops out at a brightness of 300 cd/m² and it has a typical IPS contrast ratio of 1000:1 and a response time of 5 ms grey to grey, with a colour gamut that meets 90 percent of the DCI-P3 standard. Rather interestingly, it has a maximum refresh rate of a rather unusual 72 Hz, rather than the somewhat more common 75 Hz and there's support for AMD FreeSync for those that still want to game on the monitor. The panel is curved, but LG doesn't mention the actual curvature, but a guess would be somewhere between 1800R to 1500R.

However, what makes this display stand out is that it features Thunderbolt 4 and it can be daisy chained with a second, identical display, although this drops the refresh rate down to 60 Hz on both panels. It delivers up to 96 Watts of power over the Thunderbolt port, which means it would power most notebooks that don't feature a discrete GPU. Other connectivity options include a single DisplayPort 1.4, two HDMI ports, which are limited to 3440 x 1440 resolution, a pair of USB 3.0 ports on the side as well as a headphone jack around the back. The display also has a pair of integrated 10 W speakers and sports a stand with height, tilt and swivel adjustments. The 40WP95CP-W is said to retail for around €1,339, but most retailers seem to list it for around €1,400 or more at the moment.

Phanteks has unveiled its latest product, the Eclipse G300A, a compact ATX chassis that offers exceptional value. Small in size and big on features, it boasts a range of impressive features, including high airflow performance. The G300A chassis features a sleek and minimalist design that combines high-quality materials making it the perfect fit for any environment. The chassis can accommodate ATX motherboards and large GPUs, like the ASUS RTX 4090 STRIX, that can fit perfectly even with front fans installed. Effortlessly cool high-end CPUs with support for front 360 or top 240 radiator while providing ample space for a powerful system build.

The G300A chassis features a unique I/O panel with two USB 3.0 ports (1x Type A & 1x type C) and a microphone / headphone jack, allowing for easy access to all your peripherals. The chassis also includes a tempered glass side panel, which allows you to showcase your build and adds a touch of elegance to your setup. The G300A chassis is optimized for airflow, with a mesh front panel that provides maximum ventilation and a dust filter that keeps your system clean and free of debris. The chassis also includes cable management features, allowing you to keep your cables organized and out of the way for a clean and professional look.

Samsung Electronics America, the leader in advanced memory technology, today unveiled upgrades to its PRO Plus memory cards, designed for professional and enthusiast photographers, videographers, and content creators. The Samsung PRO Plus microSD and full-size SD cards boast increased read and write speeds of up to 180 MB/s and 130 MB/s, a 12 percent and 8 percent increase, respectively, over their predecessors.

Optimized for professional use, the new PRO Plus microSD and SD cards allow users to seamlessly capture 4K ultra-high definition (UHD) and Full HD (FHD) videos and photos. The cards also support a video speed class rating of V30, enabling professionals to quickly move large video files while editing. Available in capacities up to 512 GB, Samsung memory cards provide ample storage for up to 207,159 4K UHD photos or 30 hours of 4K UHD video.[1] Professionals need memory cards that make it easy to save and retrieve data, while also safeguarding their valuable images and video files. With the additional Samsung Card Reader supporting USB 3.0 and providing backward compatibility with USB 2.0, consumers can use Samsung memory cards on any device with a USB port.

Magewell has dramatically expanded the input source possibilities of its exceptionally flexible USB Fusion video capture and mixing hardware with new support for popular wireless content sharing technologies. The award-winning hardware and accompanying app let users easily combine cameras, wired or wireless screenshares, and media file sources into visually compelling live presentations for streaming, live event production, online lectures, webinars, video conferencing and other applications.

USB Fusion enables producers and presenters to switch between multiple live and file-based sources, or to combine inputs in picture-in-picture or side-by-side layouts. The results can be captured into popular Windows, Mac or Linux software via the hardware's USB 3.0 interface or output over HDMI to a projector, display or downstream production equipment. On-device buttons and a browser-based web interface provide easy operation and configuration, while the free USB Fusion companion app for iOS and Android tablets offers expanded layout controls and advanced presentation tools ranging from playlists and recording to annotations and telestration.

[Editor's note: Our in-depth review of Antec Performance 1 FT Case is now live]

With outstanding cooling performance and lots of useful features, Antec Inc. presents the latest flagship of full towers, the new Performance 1 FT. Featuring an airflow-enhanced front panel design, magnetic front filter, and four pre-installed PWM fans, this new chassis provides efficient airflow and great cooling performance. The case is now commercially available from MSRP US$159.99.

The new Antec flagship supports the latest RTX 40 Series GPUs. Considering the increasing demands for CPU and GPU cooling, Antec designed the Performance 1 FT to enhance the air intake, improve the cable routing, and enable an easy installation with various options. The new temperature display function allows to keep control of the components. The display screen located on the case top allows users to check the temperature of the GPU and CPU at a glance. It addresses the need for temperature monitoring without purchasing expensive cooling kits.

Antec Inc., a Californian supplier of high-performance computer components and accessories for the gaming, PC upgrade and Do-It-Yourself market, presents the AX90, a model oft he new budget-friendly AX series of Gaming cases. The mid-tower is equipped with three 120 mm ARGB fans in the front as well as one in the rear and is now available at a very affordable price of € 99.99 (recommended retail price including VAT).

The new AX series from Antec offers a large selection of gaming cases with LED lighting and eye-catching front panel designs - all at an affordable price. The new AX90 case has a side panel made of tempered glass and puts the built-in components in the limelight. Diamond-shaped frames in a mesh front panel create not only a visual highlight but also allow for excellent airflow.

Back in February 2022 SiFive announced its partnership with Intel Foundry Services (IFS), to bring its "Horse Creek" SoC to market and now SiFive has announced that it's getting ready to launch its first development board on said SoC. This summer, SiFive will launch the HiFive Pro P550 development board, which will kick things up a serious notch when it comes to embedded SoC development boards, regardless of the CPU core the SoC is built around. The HiFive Pro P550 will be one of few microATX based embedded SoC development boards out there and so far, to our knowledge, the only one with a RISC-V based SoC. The Horse Creek SoC sports quad core, 2.2 GHz, 13-stage, triple-issue, out-of-order pipeline RISC-V RV64GBC CPU built on the Intel 4 node. The SoC also has a DDR5 5600 MHz memory interface, support for eight lanes of PCIe 5.0 and comes in a 19 x 19 mm FBGA package.

The HiFive Pro P550 will offer 16 GB of DDR5 memory, but based on the render of the motherboard, this is soldered to the board, rather than relying on standard DDR5 DIMMs. Furthermore, the board has two x16 PCIe 3.0 expansion slots, although it's unclear how many PCIe each slot features, as well as a PCIe 3.0 M.2 2280 M-key slot for NVMe SSDs and a PCIe 3.0 M.2 E-key slot for a WiFi/Bluetooth module. The board also sports multiple USB/USB 3.0 ports and even a pair of USB-C ports. The press release also mentions both Gigabit and 10 Gbps Ethernet support, as well as support for onboard graphics and remote system management, without going into any further details. It'll be interesting to see if the Horse Creek SoC can deliver on its expected performance target, especially as SiFive has a lot to prove, especially as the company calls the RISC-V architecture inevitable.

With a massive mesh front and metal panel design and flexible configuration options, Antec Inc. presents the latest two additions to the Antec Performance Series: the P20C (with glass side panel) and the P20CE (with sound-dampening side panel). Both versions are now commercially available from 124,99€ (suggested retail price including VAT).

The P20C / P20CE allows limitless possibilities for building a show case. The new flagship is ready to provide users with a more flexible layout as it features seven reusable PCI-E slots for vertical GPU installation. By supporting dual CPU motherboards with a width of up to 330 mm, the P20C / P20CE is the evolution of compatibility. The new chassis adopts a unique metal design, providing a massive airflow. With the full-size dust filter, the case reaches the balance between cooling and easy maintenance. The pin-type metal front panel is effortlessly removable, and the clip-on dust filters make the cleaning process a walk in the park.

Razer, the leading global lifestyle brand for gamers, ushers in its showcase at CES 2023 with all-new, innovative technologies for attendees to get exclusive first looks. Among groundbreaking concepts and product announcements, CES 2023 is the first opportunity for gamers and tech enthusiasts to get hands-on with the upcoming Razer Edge, the ultimate Android handheld gaming device.

Razer Edge and Razer Edge 5G - Exclusive Hands-On and Release Date revealed at CES
Developed with a 6.8" AMOLED display and 2400×1080 FHD+ resolution that boasts a 144 Hz refresh rate, the Razer Edge is ideal for an always-connected mobile gaming experience. The handheld is the first device powered and developed exclusively for the latest Snapdragon G3x Gen 1 Gaming Platform, and is purpose-built with active cooling for long gaming sessions playing top AAA titles and native games on the go without having to compromise performance. The Razer Edge will release in two versions in the US on January 26: Razer Edge (Wi-Fi) exclusively at Razer.com and RazerStore locations across the US for $399.99, and the Razer Edge 5G exclusively at Verizon.com and Verizon store locations. More details for Razer Edge 5G pricing are available through Verizon here.

Introducing new, enhanced PC cases: Genesis Irid 505 v2 and Irid 503 v2. Better ventilation, design and enhanced filtering for superior protection from dust - these are the most important traits of the new Genesis PC cases: Irid 505 v2 and Irid 503 v2. Enhanced PC cases, Irid 505 v2 and 503 v2, are the company's answer to increasing user demand for spacious PC cases which can include a new generation of multi-core CPUs and highly efficient graphics cards.

A thicker front mesh of the Genesis Irid 505 v2 and 503 v2 provides better filtration for air that goes into the cases in a wide stream thanks to its open front design. The 0.8 mm openings make the front mesh more restrictive dust-wise when compared to other, standard anti-dust filters. Additionally, it is very easy to clean, for example with a wipe, without the need to dismantle anything.

This year has seen the arrival of a lot of Thunderbolt connected monitors and Samsung is joining the fray with a new model, the ViewFinity S8UT. The 27-inch 4K IPS monitor is very much an office model, as it only has a 60 Hz refresh rate with a 5 ms response time (GtG). The panel is edge lit and has a typical brightness of 350 cd/m² and a contrast ratio of 1000:1. The monitor supports Picture-by-Picture and Picture-in-Picture, courtesy of multiple inputs.

The interesting part of this monitor is the Thunderbolt 3 connectivity, as the main port can output 90 W for charging a connected laptop, while the secondary port can deliver 15 W. The monitor supports Thunderbolt daisy chaining, which isn't a common feature on monitors. The S8UT also sports an HDMI 2.0 port, a three port USB 3.0 hub, a Gigabit Ethernet port and a 3.5 mm headphone socket, as well as a pair of integrated stereo speakers. The stand supports pivot, swivel, tilt and height adjustment. The S8UT comes with a three year warranty, but there's currently no word on pricing.

If LG's 27-inch 1440p OLED monitor wasn't your cup of tea, the company has launched a second UltraGear branded gaming OLED monitor with an entirely different form factor. The UltraGear 45GR95QE-B as it's known as, is a 45-inch ultra wide monitor with a 3440 x 1440 pixel resolution, giving it an aspect ratio of 21:9. As with the 27-inch 27GR95QE-B, we're looking at a 240 Hz refresh rate here and the same 0.03 ms GtG response time and the ability to display up to 1.07 billion colours. However, this is where the similarities end, as the 45GR95QE-B's massive panel means that LG made it a curved display and it's very curved at 800R. Despite its enormous size, it has a pixel pitch of a mere 84 PPI, which is very low, especially as a normal pixel pitch for a 3440 x 1440 display is somewhere around 110 PPI on a 34-inch display, which places this closer to a 27-inch 1080p display.

The monitor has two HDMI and one DP input, as well as one upstreams and two downstreams USB 3.0 ports. It also has an S/PDIF out, a headphone jack with DTS HP:X support and a barrel plug for an external 19.5 Volt power brick. LG doesn't provide a typical power consumption, but the power brick can deliver 210 Watts. It also comes with a remote, for changing the settings. Other features include VRR, FreeSync Premium and G-Sync Compatible support. It also has the same gaming features as LG's other UltraGear monitors. The supplied stand supports tilt, height and swivel adjustments. For those considering this massive display, which measures almost a metre wide, make sure your desk can handle the weight, as it comes in at almost 11 kg. LG's asking price for this beast of a monitor isn't for those with a tight budget, as it's a rather steep US$1,699.99.