GELID today announced that it revised the design of its Slim Hero low-profile CPU cooler to support AMD socket AM4 processors. The cooler made its debut way back in 2013. It is rated by its makers to handle thermal loads of up to 136W, which means you can go ahead and use it to cool Ryzen 7-series processors, with a little bit of overclocking thrown in.

With its fan installed, the new Slim Hero Rev B boasts of an extremely low Z-height of 59 mm. It features an aluminium fin-stack heatsink that propagates along the plane of the motherboard, with four 6 mm-thick copper heat pipes conveying heat drawn from the base along both its ends. The included 15 mm-thick 120 mm fan takes in 4-pin PWM input, spins between 750 to 1,600 RPM, pushing up to 52.4 CFM of air, with a noise output ranging between 12 to 25.4 dBA. Besides AM4, the revised Slim Hero supports LGA115x, LGA1366, LGA775, AM3(+), and FM2(+). The new Slim Hero Rev B. will be priced at USD $35.

Reeven today introduced the Naia 240 all-in-one liquid CPU cooler. The cooler is characterized by a clear acrylic pump+block with a small reservoir, which the company refers to as "water above pipe" design. The cooler has two reservoir segments, one at the radiator, and another at the pump-block. The one at the pump-block has a coolant injector port, letting you add coolant colors. The block features white LEDs, which lets the coolant glow through the acrylic top.

The pump-block is plumbed to a 240 mm x 120 mm radiator, which is ventilated by a pair of Reeven ColdWing 12 (120 mm) fans, which spin between 300 to 1,600 RPM, pushing up to 90.28 CFM of air, with a noise output ranging between 6.5 to 30.9 dBA. The block features a dense micro-fin array with 0.11 mm-thick fins. Out of the box, the cooler supports Intel LGA2066/2011(v3), LGA115x, AM4, AM3(+), and FM2(+), but socket TR4 support can be added with an optional retention module purchased separately. The company didn't reveal pricing.

AMD, in an interview with Overclockers UK (OCUK), confirmed that its second-generation Ryzen desktop processors will support the existing AM4 socket, so current Ryzen platform users can seamlessly upgrade to the new processors, with a BIOS update. Most current AM4 socket motherboards will require BIOS updates to support Ryzen "Raven Ridge" desktop APUs, and Ryzen "Pinnacle Ridge" CPUs, as the two require an update to the latest AGESA 1.0.0.7 version. In the interview, AMD representative James Prior confirmed that the company plans to keep AM4 its mainstream-desktop processor socket all the way up to 2020, which means at least another two to three generations of processors for it.

The next generation is "Pinnacle Ridge," which is rumored to be an optical-shrink of the "Summit Ridge" silicon to the 12 nm process, enabling higher clock speeds. The decision to keep AM4 doesn't mean the company's 300-series chipset will be made to stretch over 3 years. The company could release newer chipsets, particularly to address 300-series chipset's main shortcoming, just 6-8 older PCI-Express gen 2.0 general purpose lanes (while Intel chipsets put out up to 24 gen 3.0 lanes).

Cooler Master, a leader in PC components and peripherals, introduces RGB enabled all-in-one liquid cooling: MasterLiquid ML240L RGB and MasterLiquid ML120L RGB. Both models have full RGB effects on both the fan and pump, which comes with a controller and RGB splitter cable for quick setup or alternatively sync seamlessly with ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte and ASRock motherboards.

The ML240L RGB and ML120L RGB comes with the dual chamber RGB pump for increased reliability and provide a perfect balance of low noise levels at optimal performance. The aesthetic design of the low resistance radiator shows premium build and attached is the MasterFan MF120R RGB (2 included for the M240L RGB). The double layer tubing with sleeved on the outside and FEP on the inside for robust usage.

EK-MLC Phoenix is a Modular Liquid Cooling line of products and the next generation of improved All-In-One water cooling solutions. It is a new lineup of pre-filled products for liquid cooling, the 2nd generation of improved EK All-In-One products. Created for the market segment of customers who are unwilling to assemble a full custom loop or don't have enough time for maintenance of their PCs, but still insist on a high-end cooling solution. The most important feature of EK-MLC is the modular design and the ability to add multiple pre-filled water blocks in any order.

Modular Liquid Cooling line of products is designed around Quick Disconnect Couplings and it brings a modular approach to connecting and expanding the loop, giving you the freedom to decide which components you want to cool down. CPU cooling module and GPU cooling module can be connected to the radiator core module in any order, separately or together.

US retailer Newegg put AMD's flagship socket AM4 processor, the Ryzen 7 1800X, at a flash-sale price of USD $319.99, a staggering 36% discount from its list price of $499. The retailer has the second-fastest Ryzen 7 1700X priced at $279.99 (list price $399). The limited-period prices make the two chips extremely competitive against the Core i7-8700K, which has spotty availability, and is being sold above its list price, at $414 (MSRP: $359), while the Core i5-8700 (non-K) goes for $359 (MSRP: $303), and the Core i5-8600K (out of stock) at $299 (MSRP: $257). Prices of Intel's 8th generation Core "Coffee Lake" processors are inflated across the board, on account on supply issues, and its performance leadership over AMD Ryzen series.

ASUS recently released BIOS updates for its socket AM4 motherboards based on AMD X370 and B350 chipsets, which implement AGESA 1.0.0.7, which as you'll recall, paves the way for implementing support for upcoming processors, based on AMD's Vega-infused "Raven Ridge" APU silicon, and the 12 nm refreshed Ryzen "Pinnacle Ridge" silicon due for February 2018. ASUS published, and later withdrew the BIOS updates as the media got whiff of them.

The next parts for AMD's mainstream-desktop socket AM4 platform will be Ryzen "Raven Ridge" APUs, which let you finally use the HDMI and DisplayPorts on your motherboards. "Raven Ridge" combines a quad-core "Zen" CPU with a 640-stream processor integrated graphics based on the "Vega" graphics architecture. The "late-2017 or early-2018" time-line for these chips still appears to stand. RedGamingTech suggests that AMD's answer to Intel "Coffee Lake" processors, the 12 nm Ryzen "Pinnacle Ridge" processors, could be out by as early (or late) as February 2018. These chips could be previewed or teased at the company's events held on the sidelines of the 2018 International CES.

Jonsbo today introduced the PC-701 top-flow CPU cooler. The cooler features a "C-type" aluminium fin-stack which propagates along the plane of the motherboard. Heat drawn by five 6 mm-thick nickel-plated copper heat-pipes making direct contact with the CPU at the base, is conveyed along five points of the aluminium fin-stack, which is then ventilated by a 120 mm fan. Measuring 120 mm x 125 mm x 75 mm (WxDxH), and weighing 570 g, the cooler is designed to handle thermal loads of up to 135W.

The included 120 mm fan is the same one Jonsbo bundles with the CR-601 cooler. Taking in 4-pin PWM input, it spins between 500 to 1,500 RPM, with a noise output ranging between 19.5 to 29.2 dBA. This fan features RGB LED lighting projected onto its impeller. The cooler supports most mainstream-desktop CPU socket types, including AM4, AM3(+), FM2(+), LGA115x, and LGA775. The company didn't reveal pricing.

SilentiumPC today introduced the Navis Pro series all-in-one, closed-loop liquid CPU coolers. These coolers are available in two models based on radiator size, the Navis Pro 120 (120 mm x 120 mm radiator), and the Navis Pro 240 (240 mm x 120 mm radiator). What sets this cooler apart is a unique 9-pole pump motor that keeps the noise output of the pump-block under 15 dBA at all times.

The included Sigma HPE fans come with fluid-dynamic bearings for high endurance, and spin between 800 to 2,300 RPM, pushing up to 74 CFM of air, with a noise output as low as 22 dBA, each. The pump-block has a rated MTBF of 80,000 hours. Most common CPU socket types are supported, including AM4, AM3(+), FM2(+), LGA2066, LGA2011(v3), and LGA115x. Backed by 5-year warranties, the Navis Pro 120 is priced at 55€, and the Navis Pro 240 at 75€.

Jonsbo introduced the CR-601 RGB tower-type CPU cooler. Featuring a slim, yet conventional tower-type design, the cooler is characterized by 256-color RGB LED illumination on both its included fan, and the fin-stack cover, through a diffuser. Its design involves an aluminium base, from which four 6 mm-thick copper heat pipes pass, making direct contact with the CPU, conveying heat through the aluminium fin-stack, which is then ventilated by a 120 mm fan.

The included fan features an air-flow boosting impeller design, which lets its designers keep fan-speeds lower to achieve the desired air-flow. Taking in 4-pin PWM input, the fan spins between 800 and 1,500 RPM, with its noise output proportionately ranging between 17.5 and 31.2 dBA. The cooler can handle thermal loads of up to 130W. It supports most mainstream-desktop CPU socket types, including AM4, AM3(+), FM2(+), LGA115x, and LGA775. The company didn't reveal pricing.

ID-Cooling today introduced the SE-214RGB, a variant of the SE-214C launched last year. The new model features an all-black aluminium fin-stack, and an RGB multi-color LED-illuminated fan. It also bears striking resemblance to the recently launched Ben Nevis Advanced RGB, which reveals that ID-Cooling is Alpenföhn's OEM for the cooler. The cooler retains the design of the original SE-214C, in featuring an offset aluminium fin-stack to which heat drawn from the CPU by four 6 mm-thick copper heat pipes making direct contact, us fed along various points, while a spinal rod that passes through the center of the stack adds stability.

The off-center fin-stack design enhanced clearance near the memory area of your motherboard. The included 130 mm fan features four RGB diodes embedded into the inner walls of the frame, and a white impeller, which acts as a diffuser. It takes in 4-pin PWM input, spins between 500 to 1,800 RPM, pushing up to 69.5 CFM of air, with a noise output ranging between 14.2 to 30.6 dBA. Measuring 130 mm x 74 mm x 159 mm (WxDxH), the cooler weighs about 680 g (including fan). It supports most modern CPU socket types, including AM4, AM3(+), FM2(+), LGA2066, LGA2011(v3), and LGA115x. The company didn't reveal pricing.

Akasa today rolled out additions to its coveted Venom line of premium CPU coolers, with the new Venom R10 and Venom R20 all-in-one (AIO) closed-loop liquid CPU coolers. The two are differentiated with radiator sizes, with the R10 featuring a 120 mm x 120 mm radiator, and the R20 a 240 mm x 120 mm. The two are characterized by a pump-block with a groovy RGB multi-color LED studded ornament, which takes input from a standard 4-pin RGB header, and can be controlled with ASUS Aura Sync, GIGABYTE RGB Fusion, and MSI Mystic Light RGB software.

The ornament features multiple diodes that put light out through a diffuser, and the Akasa Venom logo. The coolers don't include 120 mm fans, you add your own. The pump-block puts out up to two 4-pin PWM fan inputs. The coolers support most common CPU socket types, including AM4, AM3(+), FM2(+), LGA2066, LGA2011(v3), and LGA115x. The company didn't reveal pricing.

The "Zen" CPU micro-architecture seems to be turning AMD's fortunes as it reported its first black quarter in years. The 14 nm "Zeppelin" or "Summit Ridge" die is at the heart of this change. This 8-core CPU die is implemented on everything from performance mobile packages, to single-die mainstream-desktop socket AM4 under the Ryzen 3, Ryzen 5, and Ryzen 7-series, 2-die high-end desktop (HEDT) multi-chip modules under Ryzen Threadripper, and the 4-die enterprise multi-chip modules under the EPYC brand. The next logical step for AMD with its new "Zen" CPU IP was to fuse it with the "Vega" graphics architecture, and give its APU lineup a much needed overhaul. At the heart of this move is the new 14 nm "Raven Ridge" silicon.

While "Summit Ridge" is the combination of two "Zen" CCX (quad-core CPU complex) units making up an 8-core CPU die that lacks integrated graphics, the "Raven Ridge" silicon combines one "Zen" CCX with an integrated graphics core based on the "Vega" architecture. AMD's new Infinity Fabric interconnect ferries data between the CCX and the iGPU, and not an internal PCIe link. The CCX houses four "Zen" CPU cores with 64 KB of L1I cache, 32 KB of L1D cache, 512 KB of dedicated L2 cache, and 4 MB of L3 cache shared between the four cores.

Alpenföhn unveiled the Ben Nevis Advanced Black RGB CPU cooler, with market availability set for later this year. This tower-type cooler features an aluminium base from which four 6 mm-thick copper heat pipes make direct contact with the CPU to draw heat. These black heatpipes convey heat to the black aluminium fin-stack along the peripheries of the fins, while a central 8 mm-thick heat-pipe dubbed "shock killer pole" spreads heat between the fins, and dampens mechanical shocks. The signature feature of this cooler is an off-set fin-stack progression, which adds to clearance towards the memory area of your motherboard. Even with its fan installed, Alpenföhn promises clearance for the tallest DIMMs installed on the slot closest to the CPU socket.

Another key feature is its large 130 mm fan with RGB LED lighting. Four multi-color LEDs studded into the inner wall of the fan-frame projects light onto the white impeller of the fan. The fan takes in 4-pin PWM input, spins between 500 to 1,500 RPM, pushing up to 95.4 m³h of air, with a noise output ranging between 8 to 25.8 dBA. The cooler is capable of handling thermal loads of up to 150W. Measuring 130 mm x 74 mm x 159 mm (WxDxH), it weighs 630 g (including fan). The cooler supports most modern CPU socket types, including AM4, AM3(+), FM2(+), LGA2066 (up to 140W), LGA2011(v3), LGA115x, and LGA775.

Raidmax introduced the Cobra RGB line of all-in-one liquid CPU coolers. The line consists of two variants based on radiator size, the Cobra 120 RGB (120 mm x 120 mm radiator), and the Cobra 240 RGB (240 mm x 120 mm radiator). A key feature of these coolers is the fancy pump-block unit, which features a brushed faux-aluminium top, and an RGB multi-color LED diffuser, studded with four 16.8 million color diodes. You can control the color, brightness, and lighting patterns of the RGB LEDs with an included RF remote control. Additionally, you can also plug the block into a standard RGB LED header, and control lighting using ASUS Aura Sync RGB software.

The included 120 mm fans with these coolers, interestingly, lack any LED illumination. Taking in 4-pin PWM input, these fans spin between 500 and 2,000 RPM, pushing up to 88.3 CFM of air, with a noise output of up to 25 dBA. The cooler supports most modern CPU socket types, including LGA2066, LGA2011(v3), LGA115x, LGA775, AM4, AM3(+), and FM2(+), with the notable exception of TR4. The company didn't reveal pricing.

ASUS introduced the Expedition A320M Gaming, an entry-level socket AM4 motherboard designed for the rigors of gaming iCafes (yes, they do exist in the developing world). The board covers all the essential connectivity needed for a gaming rig, and comes with high-endurance electrical components. It also comes with certain anti-theft measures that make it tougher to steal memory modules and graphics cards. Built in the micro-ATX form-factor, the board draws power from a combination of 24-pin ATX and 8-pin EPS connectors. A simple 6-phase VRM conditions power for the CPU.

The socket AM4 CPU is wired to four DDR4 DIMM slots supporting up to 64 GB of dual-channel DDR4 memory, and the board's lone PCI-Express 3.0 x16 slot. A PCI-Express 2.0 x1 and an open-ended x4 slot make for the rest of the expansion. Storage connectivity includes a 32 Gb/s M.2 slot, and four SATA 6 Gb/s ports, from which two are wired to the AM4 socket. Network connectivity is care of a single 1 GbE interface, driven by a Realtek RTL8111H controller, while the 6-channel HD audio is backed by a basic Realtek ALC887 CODEC with audio-grade capacitors and ground-layer isolation. USB connectivity includes six USB 3.0 ports (four on the rear panel, two via headers). The company didn't reveal pricing.

EK Water Blocks, the Slovenia-based premium computer liquid cooling gear manufacturer is excited to announce the expansion of the S Kit lineup. Following the recent release of EK-CoolStream SE 140 and EK-CoolStream SE 280 slim radiators, two new kits will also be joining the webshop. Slim Series kits or in short S Kits are a great choice for beginners at liquid cooling and people doing builds with limited radiator space.

EK-KIT S140 and EK-KIT S280 beside the super compatible thin EK-CoolStream SE radiator that they use will also be very suitable for low noise scenarios. As we know, slim radiators benefit from low-speed fans more than the thick ones, and the 140mm fan format only adds additional cooling surface.

AMD is readying an update to its AGESA micro-code. AGESA is an essential component of AMD platform motherboard BIOSes responsible for starting the processor at system start-up. Updates to it improve the motherboards' memory and CPU compatibility. Following its all-important AGESA 1.0.0.6 update that vastly improves memory compatibility of AMD Ryzen processors, the company is readying an even newer version. The new AGESA 1.0.0.7 update prompts significant changes to the structure of motherboard BIOSes, making it easy to implement support for upcoming socket AM4 chips, such as the "Raven Ridge" APUs, and the 2nd generation Ryzen "Pinnacle Ridge" CPUs.

Professional overclocker elmor, who is currently associated with ASUS ROG, responding to an Overclockers.net forums question about the Crosshair VI series motherboard, mentioned that AGESA 1.0.0.7 significantly changes the BIOS structure of AMD motherboards, which will make it easier implement support for future processors. "AGESA 1007 comes with support for Raven Ridge APUs. AMD has also changed the entire BIOS base structure so we have to do a lot of work to port everything to the new version, which may result in further bugs. The advantage is that it makes it easier to support future CPUs (Raven Ridge, Pinnacle Ridge)," he said. Updates to AGESA are distributed by motherboard manufacturers as BIOS updates.

Swedish online retailer Inet has listed an as-yet unannounced ASUS motherboard, the ROG STRIX B350-I-Gaming. It looks to be a smaller version of the ROG STRIX B350-F GAMING, featuring similar black styling, as well as ASUS's AURA Sync RGB lighting technology, in a mini-ITX format. According to Inet, the board features the AMD B350 chipset that is the board's namesake, with AMD AM4 processor support as well as up to 32 gigabytes of DDR4 3200 MHz (OC) RAM. As with most mini-ITX gaming motherboards, a single PCI-Express x16 slot is present for graphics card connectivity. However, belying the board's small size, the B350-I-Gaming features a wealth of connectivity options, including two external USB 3.1 Generation 2 ports as well as four USB 3.1 Generation 1 ports. Additionally, one USB 3.1 Generation 1 header, and even a USB 2.0 header are available internally. Four SATA 6.0 Gbit/s headers, along with two M.2 slots round out the connectivity options, all of which is great for a board this size. Gigabit ethernet as well as built-in wifi, and SupremeFX 8-Channel High Definition Audio are also featured.

While other mini-ITX AM4 motherboards are already on the market, the ASUS ROG brand has a loyal following. ASUS fans looking to build a Ryzen-powered machine with a smaller footprint will no doubt be waiting patiently for an official announcement, as the board is of course listed as Out of Stock on the retailer's site. The amount of connectivity options on such a small board will be a compelling option for portable LAN party machines, and gamers without enough space to house a larger ATX computer, without compromising on storage or speed. Inet has listed the board with a price of 1 899 kr, equivalent to about $233.49 USD. Comparing other product prices on the site with those on Newegg reveals a difference of up to 30%, so regional prices will vary and direct currency conversion is not necessarily a good indicator of local prices.

A recent AMD roadmap leak showed the company's "tick", process-improved plans for 2018's Zen+, as well as its painter-imbued aspirations with Zen 2 in 2019. Now, there's some new info posted by DigiTimes that's being sourced straight from motherboard makers that points to the company's Pinnacle Ridge launch being set sometime in February 2018.

This information seems to have been delivered to the motherboard makers straight from AMD itself, as a heads-up for when they should be expecting to ramp up production of next-generation chipsets. Sources report that AMD will follow their Summit Ridge, Ryzen launch, with the initial release of Pinnacle 7 in February, followed by the mid-range Pinnacle 5 and entry-level Pinnacle 3 processors in March 2018. DigiTimes also reports that AMD is expecting to see its share of the desktop CPU market return to at least 30% in the first half of 2018 which, coeteris paribus, is more of a simple mathematical progression than clarvoyance.

ID-COOLING a cooling solution provider focusing on thermal dissipation and fan technology research and production for over 10 years, announced SE-207 Twin Tower Air cooler, featuring a black nickel plated Top Cover, twin tower heatsinks and two cooling fans included. The full cooler is made of 7pcs of heatpipes soldered to the copper base, two sets of aluminum fins, which all covered by a nickel plated top cover, and decorated by uniquely designed heatpipe caps.

Heat dissipation is provided by one 120mm intake fan running at 1300rpmand one PWM 120mm fan (700-1800rpm) in the middle. Fan splitter is included to support 3 fans setup. Extra fan clips are provided too in the box. Universal mounting brackets are included. The latest AMD Ryzen processors are supported. SE-207 is compatible with Intel LGA2066/2011/1366/1150/1151/1155/1156 & AMD AM4/FM2+/FM2/FM1/AM3(+)/AM2(+).

Noctua today presented two updates to its range of quiet low-profile CPU coolers. Successors to the award-winning NH-L9a and NH-L12, the new NH-L9a-AM4 and NH-L12S models now support the AM4 socket of AMD's Ryzen processors. Whereas the NH-L9a-AM4 stands a mere 37mm tall, which makes it ideal for use in compact HTPCs or Small Form Factor cases that offer minimum clearance for CPU coolers, the slightly bigger NH-L12S comes equipped with the new NF-A12x15 PWM fan and combines excellent compatibility, surprising efficiency and remarkable flexibility.

"AMD has made a big impact on the market with its Ryzen architecture and the platform will become even more interesting for compact HTPC builds when the first Ryzen-based APUs are introduced next year," says Roland Mossig (Noctua CEO). "We're thus updating two of our award-winning low-profile models to support Ryzen's AM4 socket."

After whitewashing the Captain 240 EX RGB cooler, DeepCool turned its brush to its bigger sibling, the Captain 360 EX RGB, equipped with a 360 mm x 120 mm radiator. The new DeepCool GamerStorm Captain 360 EX White features an RGB LED element in the pump-block, and even as the radiator frame is white, the cooler features contrasting black highlights in the form of the radiator fins, coolant tubes, and the impellers of the three included Silent TF-120 fans. Besides power, the cooler takes in standardized RGB LED input, so you can control its lighting with popular software such as ASUS Aura Sync, MSI Mystic Light, or GIGABYTE RGB Fusion. The cooler supports most modern CPU socket types, including AM4, AM3(+), FM2(+), LGA2066, LGA2011(v3), and LGA115x, with a notable exception of socket TR4. The company didn't reveal pricing.

BIOSTAR recently released the RADEON RX VEGA 56, which is a must-have for miners with the ability to crank out crazy hash rates for mining, while gamers can expect high performance graphics processor power with the same graphics card. Combined with the BIOSTAR RACING B350 series, which continues to be popular amongst gamers with its price-performance and gaming features, these make up for a great solution for mining during the day and gaming at night.

The Vega 56 has hash rate/power draw ratio that puts it in a class by its own, surpassing that of the RX 580, which was previously the graphics card of choice for mining. With the hype surrounding its mining capabilities, lets not forget that Vega 56 is a top-of-the-line graphics card that includes 56 compute units, 21/10.5 TFLOPS with 8GB of 2048-bit High Bandwidth Memory (HBM2) for performance gaming that gives you the best graphics possible.

Jonsbo rolled out the TW-120 and TW-240 all-in-one, closed-loop, liquid CPU coolers. The two are differentiated by radiator sizes - 120 mm x 120 mm, and 240 mm x 120 mm, respectively; and characterized by a rather tall hexagonal pump-block that's illuminated by RGB LEDs. The included 120 mm fans feature RGB LED diodes along fan-frames as well, and lighting on the fans and the block are kept in sync.

You can control the RGB LED color, brightness, and lighting patterns by either plugging the cooler into a standard 4-pin RGB header on your motherboard (and using software such as ASUS Aura Sync or MSI Mystic Light); or use an included module to switch between 7 color presets. The LEDs otherwise support 16.8 million colors. The TW series coolers support most modern CPU socket types, including AM4, AM3(+), FM2(+), LGA2011(v3), LGA2066, and LGA115x. The company didn't reveal pricing.