Cooler Master's new line of liquid CPU coolers include the Seidon 120M. The self contained (closed-loop) cooler combines a 150.3 x 118 x 27 mm aluminum fin radiator with a copper micro-channel block. The radiator and block+pump unit are factory fitted with flexible tubes. The radiator makes use of a 120 mm 600~2400 RPM PWM-controlled fan with 19~40 dBA noise output. The pump, on the other hand, can be as loud as 17 dBA. The cooler will include retention modules for all popular CPU socket types, including AMD AM3+/AM3/AM2+/AM2, FM2/FM1, Intel LGA1155/1156, LGA2011, LGA1366, and LGA775. Pricing and availability information is not available.

Gigabyte launched its pair of mini-ITX form-factor motherboards based on Intel 7-series chipset, supporting processors in the LGA1155 package. These include the Z77-based GA-Z77N-WiFi, and H77-based GA-H77N-WiFi. The two are virtually identical, with the exception of the Z77-based model supporting CPU overclocking. This is made possible due to the fact that Z77 and H77 PCH chips are pin-compatible, and it's only a matter of pairing either of those with compatible micro-code. The GA-H77N-WiFi has been detailed length in our older article. The two are perhaps the only mini-ITX motherboards in the industry to feature three network interfaces (two gigabit Ethernet and an 802.11 b/g/n WLAN). Further, the WLAN adapter supports Intel Wireless Display Technology (WiDi), adding to three other ways to connect your display to it: HDMI, DisplayPort, and DVI.

EK-Supremacy Elite, the premium bundle containing the best CPU water block on the market and the best thermal interface on the market - the EK-TIM Indigo Xtreme - is now finally shipping. Please note that due to high demand this product may be shown as out of stock at the time of purchase. These water blocks are therefore manufactured on daily basis to ensure adequate supply and daily re-stock.

EK-Supremacy Elite is the premium bundle containing the best CPU water block on the market - the EK-Supremacy - Full Nickel - and the best thermal interface on the market - the EK-TIM Indigo Xtreme. EK-Supremacy is a universal CPU water block that fits all modern CPU sockets with a universal mounting mechanism that offers error-preventing, tool-less installation. The result is a perfect installation which results in perfect performance every time. EK-Supremacy is truly the best product for performance seeking enthusiasts.

Intel's new entry-mainstream line of client processors, the Core i3-3000 series, is inching toward a Q3-2012 launch. The new chips are based on the company's 22 nm "Ivy Bridge" silicon. Ukranian retailer Hotline.ua listed two of the first five Core i3-3000 series models for pre-order. These include the Core i3-3240 and Core i3-3220. The Core i3-3240 is clocked at 3.40 GHz, while the i3-3220 runs at 3.30 GHz. The two are socket LGA1155 dual-core processors featuring 3 MB of L3 cache. When launched, the i3-3240 will sell for around US $147, while the i3-3220 will sell for US $125.

Here are some of the first pictures of EVGA's upcoming Z77 Mini ITX motherboard. EVGA's newest creation is one of the first mini-ITX motherboards with CPU socket north of the chipset, clearly a response to community feedback. EVGA's Z77 Mini ITX is geared for overclocking, with the LGA1155 socket bolstered by an 8-phase VRM that uses International Rectifier PowIRphase driver-MOSFETs. The board draws power from 24-pin ATX and 8-pin EPS power connectors. The LGA1155 socket is wired to two DDR3 DIMM slots supporting up to 32 GB of dual-channel DDR3 memory; and a PCI-Express 3.0 x16 slot.

In terms of storage connectivity, the EVGA Z77 Mini ITX is equipped with two each of SATA 6 Gb/s and SATA 3 Gb/s ports, and an mSATA 3 Gb/s slot wired to the Z77 PCH; and two eSATA 6 Gb/s driven by a Marvell-made controller. Display connectivity includes HDMI and mini-DisplayPort. High-bandwidth connectivity includes six USB 3.0 ports (four on the rear panel, two via headers), and two eSATA 6 Gb/s. 8+2 channel HD audio (Realtek ALC898 CODEC), gigabit Ethernet, Bluetooth, and a number of USB 2.0/1.1 ports make for the rest of the connectivity. The board is driven by UEFI BIOS. Find more pictures at the source.

MSI launched the Z77IA-E53 mini-ITX motherboard, which was first pictured in July. Based on a markedly different PCB as the recently-launched B75IA-E33, the Z77IA-E53 is based on the feature-rich Intel Z77 Express chipset, and packs a formidable CPU overclocking muscle thanks to its 7-phase CPU VRM. The board draws power from 24-pin ATX and 8-pin EPS connectors, and packs overclocker-friendly features such as OC Genie II, one-touch OC, and ClickBIOS UEFI firmware utility.

The LGA1155 socket is wired to two DDR3 DIMM slots, supporting up to 16 GB of dual-channel DDR3 memory; and a PCI-Express 3.0 x16 slot. The only other expansion slot is an mPCI-Express 2.0, wired to the Z77 PCH. Storage connectivity includes two SATA 6 Gb/s, two SATA 3 Gb/s, and an eSATA 3 Gb/s. The Z77 PCH gives out four USB 3.0 ports, two of which are on the rear panel, and two available via headers. There are several other USB 2.0 ports, including a high-current header that charges mobile devices faster.

MSI introduced the B75IA-E33, a socket LGA1155 motherboard in the mini-ITX form-factor, based on Intel's business-oriented B75 Express chipset. The board has sufficient connectivity for space-saving business PCs, featuring Intel Small Business Advantage. The board also bears the Windows 8 compatibility label. It draws power from conventional 24-pin ATX and 4-pin CPU power connectors. The LGA1155 socket is powered by a 4-phase VRM. It is wired to two DIMM slots, supporting up to 16 GB of dual-channel DDR3-1600 MHz memory; and a PCI-Express 3.0 x16 slot.

The Intel B75 PCH gives out one SATA 6 Gb/s, and three SATA 3 Gb/s internal ports on the B75IA-E33. Display connectivity includes DVI, D-Sub, and HDMI. Other connectivity options include 6-channel HD audio with 7.1-channel optical SPDIF (TOSLINK) output, four USB 3.0 ports (two the rear panel, two by headers), gigabit Ethernet, a number of USB 2.0 ports, and mouse/keyboard combo PS/2 port. The board is driven by UEFI firmware. MSI did not give out pricing information.

Gigabyte released the first motherboard in the micro-ATX form-factor to feature two Thunderbolt interfaces. The Z77MX-D3H-TH from Gigabyte is built in the standard 240 x 240 mm micro-ATX form-factor, and based on the Intel Z77 Express chipset, supporting socket LGA1155 Core "Sandy Bridge" and "Ivy Bridge" processors. The board uses an Intel DSL3510L dual channel Thunderbolt controller to drive its two ports.

The two ports, electrically-compatible with mini-DisplayPort, double up as display outputs that are routed to the Flexible Display Interface (FDI) taking display from the processor's integrated graphics core. With the included Lucid Virtu MVP software, graphics processed by discrete graphics cards can be output though the FDI, and hence these Thunderbolt ports.

Shuttle Computer Handels GmbH, the European subsidiary of Shuttle Inc., one of the leading developers and manufacturers of compact PC solutions such as the world-renowned XPC Mini-PC Barebones, today announces the introduction of a new model in its 3-litre PC product series. The XH61V - an improved version of the previous XH61 - is now available from specialist retailers.

The Shuttle Barebone XH61V is based on an Intel H61 Express chipset and is compatible with the latest Intel processors for the LGA1155 socket. Processors in 32 nm or 22 nm micro architecture and with two to four cores are suitable for use with this new model. These include Intel Core, Pentium and Celeron processors up to 65 W TDP. System cooling is provided by a heatpipe with two extremely quiet 60 mm fans for air circulation. Both SO-DIMM slots on the motherboard work in dual-channel mode and can accommodate up to a total of 16 GB DDR3 memory. An external 90 W power supply is included as well.

GIGABYTE is working on a new mini-ITX form-factor motherboard for HTPCs and home servers. The H77N-WiFi, built for socket LGA1155 Core Sandy Bridge and Ivy Bridge processors, and based on Intel H77 Express chipset, features three network interfaces: two gigabit Ethernet, and an 802.11 b/g/n WLAN. Revving up its HTPC credentials, the board also features two HDMI display outputs, so you can plug your TV to one, and home theater receiver to the other (for multi-channel digital audio). Further, the 8-channel HD audio CODEC gives out an optical SPDIF (TOSLINK) output for 7.1 channel audio.

The GIGABYTE H77N-WiFi draws power from 24-pin ATX and 4-pin CPU power connectors. The LGA1155 socket is powered by a 4+1 phase VRM that appears to use common ferrite core chokes and LFPAK MOSFETs. The LGA1155 CPU is wired to two DDR3 DIMM slots, supporting up to 16 GB of dual-channel DDR3-1600 MHz memory; and a PCI-Express 3.0 x16. The Intel H77 PCH gives out two SATA 6 Gb/s and two SATA 3 Gb/s ports, with support for Smart Response technology (SSD caching). Apart from dual-HDMI, the board supports DVI-I.

Elitegroup Computer Systems (ECS) has announced a new series of motherboards - B75 Series. These three new PC motherboards based around Intel's B75 Express chipset support for the latest CPU technology: Intel Small Business advantage, as well as compatibility with older products and a future upgrade path. They offer an impressive range of features for home and business use, including SATA 3.0 hard drive connection at up to 6Gb/s, USB 3.0 for high speed external data transfer, plus PCI Express 3.0 and DirectX 11 for advanced graphics.

There are three motherboards in the ECS B75 series: the B75H2-D, the B75H2-M2, and the B75H2-M3. The B75H2-M2 and the B75H2-M3 are compact 244mm x 200mm Micro ATX format boards, while the B75H2-D is a DTX format board.

After a brief sighting at Computex 2012, we come across the Aeolus Big Frost dual-tower CPU cooler again. This time, the cooler appears polished and ready for market launch. The cooler is a simplified version of DeepCool's Assassin, retaining its dual aluminum fin tower design. The design consists of two symmetric aluminum fin stacks, through which six 6 mm-thick copper heat pipes pass, drawing heat from a copper CPU base. The fin-stack is then ventilated by two 120 mm fans in push-pull configuration.

The heatsink measures 126 x 136 x 159 mm, weighing 1,109 g (including fans). The fan pushing "fresh" air through the first fin stack is configured to spin at speeds of up to 1,300 RPM, with noise levels as high as 22.6 dBA, while the fan pulling air and conveying it to the second fin stack spins at speeds ranging in 900-1,500 RPM, with 21.4 to 32.1 dBA noise levels. The Big Frost supports a full range of CPU socket types available in the market today, including Intel LGA2011, LGA1155/LGA1156, LGA1366, LGA775, AMD AM3+/AM3/AM2+/AM2, and FM2/FM1. In China, the cooler is expected to sell for 200 RMB (US $32).

ASUS unveiled a new line of socket AM3+ motherboards at Computex, which will constitute its lineup at least for the rest of 2012. The new motherboards are based on existing 9-series chipset, and are mere revisions of existing AM3+ motherboard models. These include the Crosshair V Formula-Z (990FX + SB950), M5A99FX PRO R2.0 (990FX + SB950), Sabertooth 990FX R2.0 (990FX + SB950) and M5A99X EVO R2.0 (990X + SB950). What all these motherboards have in common, is a header labeled "TB_HEADER," which connects them to ASUS' Thunderbolt EX add-on card.

The ASUS Thunderbolt EX is a swanky PCI-Express 2.0 x4 add-on card, which is driven by an Intel "Cactus Ridge 2C" Thunderbolt host controller. The TB_HEADER is a low-level connection between the motherboard and the add-on card, which transacts power state, signaling, and device hot-plugging events to the system BIOS. Some of ASUS' recent 7-series LGA1155 motherboards can be retrofitted with Thunderbolt the same way, and feature the same header. The card has a nice EMI shield running the entire length of its PCB. Its rear panel has one full-size DisplayPort, which is actually an input from your graphics card, and one Thunderbolt + mini-DP output.

Sapphire's growing motherboard lineup as a new entry in the form of the Pure Platinum Z77i. This socket LGA1155 motherboard is based on the Intel Z77 Express chipset, and is built in the super-compact mini-ITX form-factor, making it ideal for gaming PCs that are LAN party-animals. The motherboard is designed to draw power from a 24-pin ATX, and a 4-pin CPU power connector. The LGA1155 socket is powered by a simple 4-phase VRM, which uses ferrite-core chokes and compact driver-MOSFETs. The VRM should be strong enough to handle CPUs that aren't heavily overclocked.

The LGA1155 socket on the Pure Platinum Z77i is wired to a PCI-Express 3.0 x16 slot, and two DDR3 DIMM slots, supporting up to 16 GB of dual-channel DDR3 memory. The Z77 PCH gives out two internal SATA 6 Gb/s, and two SATA 3 Gb/s ports. Display connectivity includes one each of DVI, D-Sub, HDMI, and DisplayPort. There are a total of four USB 3.0 ports, two on the rear panel, two by headers. Rounding off the connectivity are 8-channel HD audio, gigabit Ethernet, and Bluetooth.

Akasa also unveiled the third entry into its Venom series of CPU coolers, the Venom Medusa. This launch comes exactly an year after that of the Venom Voodoo. In the picture below, the Venom Medusa is shown between the original Venom, and Venom Voodoo. The Venom Medusa is a large aluminum fin dual-tower heatsink, with two symmetrical aluminum fin stacks. It is designed keeping in mind the thermal loads of the new LGA2011 processors.

Its design consists of a large base from which eight nickel-plated copper heat pipes pass, making direct contact with the CPU, and passing through the two aluminum fin stacks at ends. The Venom Medusa ships with two fans, a Viper 120 mm fan pushes fresh air through the first aluminum fin stack, while a larger 140 mm fan conveys air from the first stack to the second. There is provision for a third 120 mm fan, which pulls air from the second stack, for exhaust. The Venom Medusa supports nearly every modern CPU socket type, including LGA2011, LGA1155/LGA1156, LGA1366, AM3+/AM3, and FM2/FM1.

GELID Solutions showed off its newest Gamer series Black Edition CPU Cooler (doesn't carry a GX## model number). The cooler's design consists of a dark aluminum fin dual-tower design à la NH-D14, Corator DS, etc., and uses no less than seven heat pipes (3x 8 mm-thick and 4x 6 mm-thick) to transport heat from the base to the aluminum fin stacks. In the space between the two fin-stacks, a standard-size 120 mm (25 mm-thick) fan pulls air through the first stack, and pushes it through the second one. Pushing in fresh-air through the first stack is care of a slim 120 mm (15 mm-thick) fan. The cooler will be designed to be compatible with all modern CPU socket types, including LGA2011, LGA1155/LGA1156, LGA1366, AM3+/AM3/AM2+/AM2, and FM2/FM1.

As promised, Walton-Chaintech made a comeback to the PC motherboard and graphics card markets, by partnering with Colorful. The duo launched a full-fledged lineup of motherboards across various sockets (including LGA1155, AM3+, FM2), and graphics cards. Leading the lineup on the motherboard front are the Z77 X5 and X990FX X7.

Based on the Intel Z77 chipset, supporting the Core "Ivy Bridge" and "Sandy Bridge" processors, the Z77 X5 makes use of the entire feature-set of the platform. The LGA1155 socket is powered by a 8-phase VRM with special branding "Smart Power Engine 3," which gives user. fine control over the VRM via BIOS. Expansion slots include two each of PCI-Express 3.0 x16 (red, x8/x8, when both are populated), PCI-Express 2.0 x1, and legacy PCI. AMD CrossFireX is the only multi-GPU technology supported. 8-channel HD audio, 802.11 b/g/n, gigabit Ethernet, 2x SATA 6 Gb/s + 4x SATA 3 Gb/s, are among its features.

Late last week, we came across teaser pictures of a certain new Big Bang series motherboard. Our source didn't reveal its name, but mentioned that we were close in guessing its name to be "ZPower", which we admitted we could go wrong with. It turns out that the new line is named "MPower", and includes not just a new socket LGA1155 motherboard, the Z77 MPower, but also a new LGA2011 one, the X79 MPower. The two are beefed-up versions of the Z77A-GD65 and X79A-GD65 (8D), respectively, with stronger CPU VRM, relaxed warranties that are overclocker-friendly, and a new black+yellow color-scheme, which is consistent with that of its Lightning series graphics cards (such as the R7970 Lightning).

It's good to see GIGABYTE back to doing high-end motherboards with overkill CPU power designs. Its latest creation, the Z77X-UP7, was shown to sections of the media, at a private exhibition, ahead of Computex. The Z77X-UP7 is the company's first motherboard to feature its Ultra Durable 5 motherboard construction technology, which is basically Ultra Durable 4 augmented with higher current 60A chokes, and International Rectifier PowIRStage IR3550 ICs (a highly potent driver-MOSFET implementation). The Z77X-UP7 is based on the Intel Z77 Express chipset, and supports Core "Ivy Bridge" and "Sandy Bridge" processors in the LGA1155 package.

MSI is working on its first Big Bang series motherboard based on the Intel Z77 Express chipset, supporting Core "Ivy Bridge" and "Sandy Bridge" processors in the LGA1155 package, which is called Big Bang ZPower (we could be wrong with the name), carrying an MSI internal model number MS-7751 v 3.0. The model number seems to suggest that the PCB design is similar to that of the Z77A-GD65. For now we only have two cutout teaser pictures with us.

The pictures reveal the ZPower to be a bustling metropolis with a swanky heatsink design that keeps up with the theme of MSI's Lightning series graphics cards. The motherboard will be designed for 3-way multi-GPU setups, although a PLX-made bridge chip won't be used. Instead it will use Pericom PCIe lane switches to split the x16 link from the processor into x8/x8/NC or x8/x4/x4. The focus of this board will be towards overclocking, a lot of overclocker-friendly features, options (in the UEFI BIOS setup program), and a strong VRM will be added to the mix. MSI is likely to exhibit the new motherboard at the upcoming Computex event.

It looks like Sapphire wants slices of not just the performance and enthusiast pies, but also the high-volume mainstream one. Its latest creation is a motherboard based on Intel's small business-oriented B75 chipset, the Pure White B75M-MA. Built in the micro-ATX form-factor, this board doesn't add too much over the B75's feature set. To begin with, its LGA1155 socket, which supports current generation Core "Ivy Bridge" and previous generation Core "Sandy Bridge" processors, is powered by a 4+1 phase VRM, which draws power from an 8-pin EPS connector. That's a giveaway that a performance/enthusiast design team was behind this mainstream motherboard.

The LGA1155 socket is wired to two DDR3 DIMM slots, supporting up to 16 GB of dual-channel DDR3 memory; and a PCI-Express 3.0 x16 slot. Three PCI-Express 2.0 x1 slots that are wired to the B75 PCH, make up the rest of the all-PCIe layout. Storage connectivity includes one SATA 6 Gb/s, and three SATA 3 Gb/s ports. The board provides a total of four USB 3.0 ports (two on the rear-panel, two via headers). 6+2 channel HD audio, a number of USB 2.0 ports, a keyboard/mouse combo PS/2, and gigabit Ethernet make for the rest of the connectivity. Display outputs include DVI and D-Sub. Expect competitive pricing.

Streacom's newest duo of silent all-aluminum cases for HTPCs, the micro-ATX FC9, and the ATX FC10, inch closer to their Computex 2012 launch. Their specifications were leaked by the company's Chinese website. Both cases ensure the machines running in them stay quiet, and remain completely fanless, because their bodies double up as heatsinks for sensitive components, such as the processor. Both cases are made of brushed silver and black (sandblast finish) color options.

Measuring 348 x 289 x 100 mm (WxDxH), the Streacom FC9 supports motherboards in the micro-ATX and mini-ITX form-factors. It features one 2.5-inch drive bay, and a 3.5-inch bay, which supports 2.5-inch drives. It also has a bay for a slimline slot-loading optical drive. A CPU base makes contact with the processor (LGA775, LGA1155, LGA1156 supported), which conveys heat to a side panel via four copper heat pipes. All six panels of the case are made of thick aluminum sheets, some of which are ridged to increase surface area for heat dissipation. The case features three low-profile expansion slots.

Intel is ready to top off its Desktop Board Extreme Series 7-series "Panther Point" lineup with the DZ77RE-75K. Its most characteristic feature is Thunderbolt I/O. Along with a handful other high-end socket LGA1155 motherboards featuring the 10 Gb/s interconnect, the DZ77RE-75K will be launched early next week.

To a very large extant, the DZ77RE-75K resembles the DZ77GA-70K, which Intel topped its Desktop Board "Panther Point" lineup with. In fact, the two share the same PCB design. The only distinguishing feature of the DZ77RE-75K is the presence of a mini-DisplayPort+Thunderbolt connector, and a DSL3310 Thunderbolt controller driving it, in tandem with Intel FDI. The DSL3310, unfortunately, is a slim variant in Intel's Thunderbolt controller lineup, and only takes advantage of PCI-Express 2.0 x2, so Thunderbolt might not perform to its fullest.

The ASUS P8C WS motherboard combines the advantages of several product classes. While mainly a workstation board, it also incorporates server readiness, and can be easily used in high end standard desktop builds.

As a flexible choice for system integrators, its compact design and Intel C216 chipset offer better convenience and compatibility. It is fully Independent Software Vendor certified, and supports Intel Xeon E3-1200/12x5 v2 series processors as well as 2nd and 3rd generation Intel Core i3 processors. The board also works equally well with non-ECC and ECC DDR3 memory. Four USB 3.0 ports cover both the rear I/O and front panel to enhance user-friendly connectivity, while dual Intel Ethernet ports double networking capabilities and reduce CPU workload.

Seeing as how some of the newest socket LGA1155 processors, such as the Core i7-3770K, competes with Sandy Bridge-E HEDT platform, and how today's GPUs are beginning to benefit from PCI-Express 3.0 in x8 and x4 configurations, ASRock decided to go beyond its Z77 Fatal1ty Professional, and launched a new Extreme series model, with a focus on features and connectivity. The Z77 Extreme9 from ASRock crams has every square inch of its standard ATX size PCB with features.

To begin with, the Z77 Extreme9 uses a fairly strong 8+4 phase VRM, which is similar to that of the Z77 Extreme6. The CPU VRM MOSFETs are cooled by a fairly big heatsink, which shares its head with a neighbouring heatsink, which cools a PLX PEX8747 PCI-Express 3.0 bridge chip, which takes in the lone PCI-Express 3.0 x16 link from the processor, and drives four of the board's six PCI-Express 3.0 x16 long slots, enabling 3-way and 4-way SLI/CrossFireX capability. The other slots are electrical PCI-Express 2.0, and wired to the Z77 PCH.