Intel has just recently announced its next-generation Rocket Lake-S processor specifications designed to bring improved performance and newer platform technologies like PCIe 4.0. However, we are yet to see the first 10 nm CPU for desktop users. Today, thanks to the sources over at VideoCardz, we have the first look at Intel's next-next-generation processor called Alder Lake. The Alder Lake-S is a platform that brings many of the "firsts" for Intel. It will be the first architecture being built on the company's 10 nm SuperFin architecture. Alongside the new node, the platform will transition to the next-generation of technologies. Rumored are the transitions to PCIe 5.0 and perhaps, most importantly - DDR5.

Another new approach will be Intel's adaptation of Arm's big.LITTLE heterogeneous core structure. The processor will feature a few of the "little" cores for light tasks, and fire up the "big" cores for heavy computing. All of that will require a new socket to house the processor, which is the LGA1700. You can see the new processor below, compared to LGA1200 CPU from the previous generation.

Arctic today expanded its Liquid Freezer II line of all-in-one, closed-loop, liquid CPU coolers, with its largest variant—Liquid Freezer II 420. This cooler uses a 38 mm-thick 420 mm x 140 mm radiator, which is ventilated by a trio of 140 mm fans, with the coolant pressure of the pump-block adjusted to match the large radiator. The pump-block features a tiny 40 mm fan that spins between 1,000-3,000 RPM, to maintain airflow near the CPU VRM area. The pump's impeller does 800 to 2,000 RPM. Among the CPU socket types supported are LGA1200, AM4, LGA115x, and LGA2066 (no sTR4/sTRX4 support). Arctic includes three Arctic P14 PWM fans, which feature fluid-dynamic bearings, spin between 200 to 1,700 RPM, pushing 72.8 CFM of air, each. Available now, the Liquid Freezer II 420 is priced at 120€ (including VAT).

Intel has been preparing the launch of its 10 nm processors for desktop users for some time now, and today we are getting the first pictures of the Alder Lake-S CPU backside. Featuring a package with a size of 37.5×45 mm, the Alder Lake CPU uses more of its area for a pin count increase. Going up from 1200 pins in the LGA1200 socket, the new Alder Lake-S CPU uses 1700 CPU pins, which slots in the LGA1700 socket. In the picture below, there is an engineering sample of the Alder Lake-S CPU, which we see for the first time. While there is no much information about the processor, we know that it will use Intel's 10 nm SuperFin design, paired with hybrid core technology. That means that there will be big (Golden Cove) and little (Gracemont) cores in the design. Other features such as PCIe 5.0 and DDR5 should be present as well. The new CPU generation and LGA1700 motherboards are scheduled to arrive in second half of 2021.

Here's the first picture of the ASUS ROG Maximus XII Extreme Gundam, a new Socket LGA1200 motherboard based on the Intel Z490 chipset, courtesy of VideoCardz. Based on the original Maximus XII Extreme, the Extreme Gundam is a step-up, and comes with a custom-design full-coverage water block, and styling resembling that of a Gundam mecha. Vast bits of silver covering the acrylic top of the FC block, fuse with bright bits of blue, red, and yellow. Supplied by EK Water Blocks, the full-coverage water block cools the processor, CPU VRM, and the Z490 PCH. It's also possible that the M.2 heatsinks on the board shed some of their heat onto the block. The board is otherwise identical to the original Maximus XII Extreme. We're also getting to learn that ASUS has a whole lineup of products planned, based on the Gundam theme.

Intel will debut its 500-series desktop motherboard chipset series with its 11th Gen Core "Rocket Lake-S" desktop processors. A leaked alleged roadmap slide possibly from a presentation targeting an Intel ecosystem partner, reveals that the 500-series chipset will debut no sooner than March 2021, which could also mean "Rocket Lake-S" chips themselves could launch around that time, since Intel tends to launch new processor generations alongside new chipsets that are compatible out of the box. Even the 9th Generation "Coffee Lake Refresh" was accompanied by new Z390 and B365 chipsets. That said, Socket LGA1200 motherboards based on the existing 400-series chipset are expected to be compatible with "Rocket Lake-S," with BIOS updates. 500-series chipset motherboards might also support older 10th Gen Core "Comet Lake-S" processors.

The roadmap slide reveals that "Rocket Lake-S" could debut with strictly client-segment chipsets, such as the Z590 targeting overclockers, H570 targeting premium desktops, B560 targeting mid-range desktops, and H510 for entry-level desktops. Later in April, Intel could debut the Q570 chipset for commercial desktops, and W580 for workstations. What sets the 500-series chipset apart from the 400-series, appears to be a standardization of PCI-Express Gen 4, at least for the main PEG slot. Certain premium 400-series chipset motherboards already come with preparation for PCIe Gen 4 PEG. The "Rocket Lake-S" processor sees the first IPC increase by Intel on the desktop platform in five years, as the 14 nm chips are expected to feature new "Cypress Cove" CPU cores, which are a back-port of "Willow Cove" for the older 14 nm process. The chips could also feature a Gen12 Xe iGPU.

Bitspower today introduced a CPU+VRM monoblock tailor-made for the MSI MEG Z490 Ace motherboard (model: BP-MBMZ490ACE). The monoblock provides liquid cooling to the Socket LGA1200 CPU and the adjoining CPU VRM solution, by making contact with its hottest components, the DrMOS, via thermal pads. The CPU contact area features a mirror finish, so you get to use your own TIM. The primary material of the monoblock is nickel-plated copper, coupled with a clear acrylic top that's studded with addressable RGB LEDs. The main coolant channel passes over the VRM area, and a micro-fin lattice over the CPU socket. Available now, the Bitspower BP-MBMZ490ACE is priced at USD $205.

At first glance, the new AeroCool Mirage 5 looks like an overgrown AIO CLC CPU block, with its puck shape, glass top, and an infinite-reflection RGB ornament, but it's not. It's a cylindrical, tower-type CPU air cooler. The CPU base features a tiny bit of aluminium finnage. From here, five 6 mm-thick copper heat pipes make direct contact with the CPU, conveying heat to a stack of ring-shaped anodized aluminium fins. The fin-stack is ventilated by a high-RPM 60 mm lateral flow fan with a somewhat cylindrical impeller, located underneath the top-plate.

This fan spins between 1,200 to 3,000 RPM, pushing between 39.7 to 74.3 CFM of air-flow, with 0.91 to 2.13 mm H₂O static pressure. AeroCool claims the noise output ranges between 18 to 30 dBA for this fan, since this isn't just another 60 mm fan, but a cylindrical impeller that happens to have a low diameter when viewed from the top. The fan features a hydraulic bearing, and is rated for 60,000 hours MTBF. The cooler measures 100 mm x 100 mm x 145 mm (WxDxH). AeroCool claims that the Mirage 5 can handle thermal loads of up to 150 W TDP. Among the CPU socket types supported are LGA2066, LGA1200, LGA115x, and AM4. The company didn't reveal pricing or availability.A video presentation by AeroCool follows.

Bitspower today introduced a CPU+VRM monoblock for the GIGABYTE Z490 AORUS Master motherboard (mode: BP-MBGAZ490AM). Tailored for GIGABYTE's second most endowed product series based on the Intel Z490 chipset, the monoblock uses nickel-plated copper as its primary material, with a clear acrylic top that's studded with addressable-RGB LEDs. The block cools the Socket LGA1200 processor through its main micro-fin lattice, while the coolant channel flows over even the VRM MOSFETs. Bitspower includes thermal pads for contact between the monoblock and the MOSFETs, however, it leaves the choice of TIM over the CPU to the end-users. The block comes with a mirror finish at the CPU base. Bitspower says that the monoblock is also compatible with the GIGABYTE Z490 AORUS Ultra, however you should be mindful with your VRM thermal pad placement. The monoblock takes in standard G 1/4" fittings (not included). Available now, the Bitspower CPU+VRM monoblock for GIGABYTE Z490 AORUS Master is priced at USD $200.

MSI today rolled out the MAG B460 Torpedo, a Socket LGA1200 motherboard based on the Intel B460 chipset. This marks the debut of the new "Torpedo" brand extension that's part of the MSI Arsenal Gaming (MAG) product family, positioned a notch below the MAG Tomahawk. MSI has been giving the Tomahawk extension value additions over the past few generations, pushing its typical pricing up, along with features such as dual Ethernet, rear I/O shroud, etc. The MAG B460 Torpedo keeps things simple within the ATX form-factor. The board draws power from a combination of 24-pin ATX and 8-pin EPS power connectors, and uses a 13-phase VRM to power the CPU. The VRM heatsinks appear slightly smaller than the ones on the MAG B460 Tomahawk. The tiny heatsink over the PCH is hard to miss, too.

Expansion slots on the MSI MAG B460 Torpedo include one PCI-Express 3.0 x16 reinforced slot wired to the CPU, a PCI-Express 3.0 x16 (electrical x4) slot wired to the B460 PCH, and two other PCIe x1 slots. Storage connectivity includes two M.2 NVMe slots, both PCI-Express 3.0 x4 wiring, one of which includes a heatsink; and six SATA 6 Gbps ports. Networking features one 2.5 GbE interface driven by a Realtek 8125B controller. The onboard audio solution uses a Realtek ALC1200 codec with audio grade capacitors, 8-channel jacks, and headphones amp. As part of the CoreBoost feature set, you get to eke out more performance from your non-K 10th Gen Core processors by relaxing power limits. MSI is pricing the MAG B460 Torpedo at USD $109.99, about $30 cheaper than the Tomahawk.

BIOSTAR today introduced a pair of Socket LGA1200 motherboards based on the Intel Z490 chipset, the Racing Z490A-SILVER (ATX) and Racing Z490T-SILVER (Mini-ITX). Both appear to be middle-of-the-market products positioned below the Racing GT EVO series from the company, competing with the likes of the ASRock Steel Legend and ASUS TUF Gaming series. Z490A-SILVER draws power from a combination of 24-pin ATX and 8+4 pin EPS power connectors, conditioning power for the CPU using a 12+2+2 phase VRM. You get a pair of reinforced PCI-Express 3.0 x16 slots (electrical x16/x4), two M.2-2280 slots with PCI-Express 3.0 x4 wiring, and connectivity that includes a 1 GbE interface pulled by an Intel i219-V controller, and a 6-channel HD audio solution based on the Realtek ALC1150 codec.

The Racing Z490T-SILVER Mini-ITX motherboard features a conventional 24-pin + 8-pin power input, a 7+2+1 phase CPU VRM, a pair of DDR4 DIMM slots, a reinforced PCI-Express 3.0 x16 slot, and connectivity that includes four SATA 6 Gbps ports, an M.2-2280 slot (SATA 6 Gbps + PCI-Express 3.0 x4 wiring) on the reverse side of the PCB, 1 GbE based on Intel i219-V, and preparation for Wi-Fi 6 (you drop in your own Intel AX200-series card on a CNVi slot). The comapny didn't reveal pricing.

The leading global motherboard, graphics card and mini PC manufacturer, ASRock, proudly announces the all-new DeskMini H470 and DeskMini X300. The ASRock DeskMini H470 adopts the Intel H470 chipset to support Intel 10th Gen 65 W LGA1200 processors and dual-channel DDR4-2933 memory. Relying on advanced power design, it supports exclusive BFB (Base Frequency Boost) Technology to allow users to bump non-K processors speed to enhance system performance.

The all-new DeskMini X300 not only supports AMD latest Ryzen 4000 series APU, but also allows users to adjust CPU/GPU core clock, and tuning voltage to excavate APU potential power. DeskMini X300 supports 8 Cores Ryzen 7 APU and dual-Channel DDR4-3200+MHz (OC) memory, which leads to outstanding computing power and 3D performance.

Screenshots of a SiSoft SANDRA database submission of an alleged Intel 11th Gen Core "Rocket Lake-S" desktop processor machine confirms that the processor introduces PCI-Express gen 4.0 support to Intel's mainstream desktop platform. PCIe gen 4.0 has been rather limited in Intel's product stack, with only 10th Gen Core "Ice Lake-U" and "Ice Lake-Y" mobile processors supporting it so far. The upcoming 11th Gen "Tiger Lake" mobile processors will support it, too. Intel's HEDT product line, currently led by "Cascade Lake-X," as well as the server side of things, let by "Cooper Lake," are limited to PCIe gen 3.0. The SANDRA screenshot shows the "Rocket Lake-S" powered machine running a PCI-Express 4.0 NVMe SSD.

According to alleged "Rocket Lake-S" + Intel 500-series chipset platform maps leaked to the web by VideoCardz, "Rocket Lake-S" will finally take forward strides in the area of I/O. The CPU socket puts out not just its usual PEG slot (16 lanes meant for PCI-Express graphics cards), but also a CPU-attached M.2 NVMe slot with 4 PCI-Express gen 4.0 lanes, much like Socket AM4 motherboards based on AMD X570 or B550 chipsets. What's more, Intel fattened the chipset bus with 8 lanes. While the bus is still DMI 3.0 (with PCI-Express gen 3.0 physical layer), 8 lanes mean a doubling in bandwidth compared to Intel 400-series chipsets (or older). The 500-series PCH itself will still be PCI-Express gen 3.0 based, putting out only gen 3.0 downstream PCIe lanes, unlike the AMD X570, which puts out gen 4.0 downstream general purpose lanes, and uses a PCI-Express 4.0 x4 pipe to the CPU. Quite a few Intel 400-series chipset motherboards have preparation for PCIe gen 4.0 PEG slot when paired with a "Rocket Lake-S" processor.

Intel's 11th Generation Core "Rocket Lake-S" desktop processors in the LGA1200 package could come with clock speeds that are of the norm these days. Intel appears unwilling to dial down clock speeds in the wake of increased IPC with the new generation "Cypress Cove" CPU cores that drive these processors. Twitter handle "leakbench," which tracks interesting Geekbench results, fished out a database listing for a "Rocket Lake-S" engineering sample with clock speeds of 3.40 GHz base, and 5.00 GHz boost.

The listing has all the telltale signs of "Cypress Cove," such as 48 KB L1D cache, 512 KB per core L2 cache, and 16 MB shared L3 cache for this 8-core/16-thread chip. "Cypress Cove" is rumored to be to be a back-port of Intel's "Willow Cove" CPU core design from its original 10 nm+ node to the 14 nm++. VideoCardz compared this "Rocket Lake-S" ES benchmark result to that of a retail Core i7-10700K, and found its single-threaded performance to be roughly 6.35 percent higher despite a 200 MHz clock-speed deficit, although for some reason, its multi-threaded performance is trailing by over 15 percent.

GIGABYTE today unveiled the Z490 AORUS Master WaterForce motherboard. A variant of the Z490 AORUS Master, it is positioned a notch below the company's flagship Z490 AORUS Xtreme WaterForce. While the Xtreme WaterForce comes with a CPU+VRM monoblock meant for DIY liquid cooling setups, the Master WaterForce uses an industry-first AIO closed-loop CPU+VRM monoblock that's tailor-made for the board.

This AIO comes with a meaty 360 mm x 120 mm radiator that includes three high static-pressure fans. The AIO monoblock has a tastefully executed ARGB LED embellishment that includes an AORUS logo and four diagonals, while each of the three included 120 mm fans feature ARGB LEDs located in the impeller hubs. GIGABYTE did not put out performance figures for this AIO, but we expect it to give the Core i9-10900K a respectable OC headroom. The rest of the board is identical in features and design to the original Z490 AORUS Master which GIGABYTE launched alongside the rest of its Socket LGA1200 motherboard lineup.

Intel's upcoming Core i9-10850K desktop processor, which was earlier believed to be an OEM-exclusive, is coming to the DIY retail channel after all. The 10-core Socket LGA1200 processor surfaced on retailers Cyclotron and LambdaTek as pre-orders, priced at 472€ and £459, including taxes, which aligns with its rumored USD $449 pre-tax price Stateside. At these prices, the i9-10850K is closer in price to the locked i9-10900 than to the top i9-10900K part.

Based on the 14 nm "Comet Lake-S" silicon, the Core i9-10850K is a 10-core/20-thread processor clocked up to 5.20 GHz, with 20 MB of L3 cache. Where it differs from the i9-109xx series is the lack of the Thermal Velocity Boost (TVB) feature. You still get an unlocked multiplier. The i9-10850K is hence provides a roughly $50 saving over the i9-10900K to give up the 100 MHz higher clock speed enabled by TVB. In the retail channel, the chip goes by the SKU "BX8070110850K."

Intel's upcoming Core i9-10850K processor started appearing as a configurator option on Digital Storm pre-built gaming desktops. The 10-core/20-thread Socket LGA1200 processor comes with an unlocked multiplier, but is positioned between the $440 Core i9-10900 (locked) processor and the $499 i9-10900K flagship part. Intel differentiates the i9-10900K from the i9-10850K by stripping the latter of the Thermal Velocity Boost feature. The processor now has a maximum boost frequency of 5.20 GHz, and it gets there using the Turbo Boost Max 3.0 algorithm. The lack of TVB is attributable to the processor model numbering being i9-108xx rather than i9-109xx. Despite being locked parts, the i9-10900 and i9-10900F get TVB.

It's still not known if Intel will release the Core i9-10850K to the DIY retail channel, but the fact that it's surfacing on a pre-built vendor's site points to the possibility of the chip being OEM-exclusive, and even begins to explain its raison d'être. Thermal Velocity Boost is a cooling-sensitive feature, and hitting the advertised 5.30 GHz TVB frequency comes with steep cooling requirements for OEMs, which they probably could do with less of. The processor should still perform nearly on-par with the i9-10900K in most scenarios, including gaming. Our review of the i9-10900 shows how you could potentially save $60 over choosing the i9-10900K, if you didn't plan on serious overclocking for the latter. With Intel's pricing of the i9-10850K, we can deduce that Intel values Thermal Velocity Boost at $50 (i9-10850K vs. i9-10900K), and unlocked multiplier at $10 (i9-10900 vs. i9-10850K).

GALAX announced plans to launch its motherboard product line in the North American market. The company will dip its toes in the market with entry-level and mid-range products, targeting both Intel Socket LGA1200 and AMD Socket AM4. For both sockets, GALAX appears to be using entry/mainstream chipsets. The LGA1200 product line consists of models based on the Intel H410 and B460 chipsets, while the AM4 line is based on the B550 chipset as AMD is yet to launch its entry-level A520 chipset. From the looks of it, GALAX's boards are pretty basic, and possibly all sub-$100 segment. The company didn't reveal specifics such as launch dates or pricing.

Jonsbo earlier this week rolled out the Angeleyes TW2 Pro Color line of all-in-one, closed-loop, liquid CPU Coolers. These coolers are variants of the Angeleyes TW2 Pro series the company released through 2019-2020. Its radiator, tubing, and pump-block designs are unchanged. The only only area of change is the set of fans included with the cooler. These fans are characterized by ARGB LEDs located in the impeller hub, and translucent fan-blades that diffuse the light. In the older Angeleyes TW2 Pro series, the fan featured acrylic ARGB diffusers along the bore of the frame. Under the hood, the fan features hydraulic bearings rated for over 40,000 hours, 700-1,500 RPM fan-speeds, 25.5-62.8 CFM of air-flow, and 18.1-29.5 dBA of noise output. There are currently two models of the TW2 Pro Color series - the TW2-360 Pro Color, which features a 360 mm x 120 mm radiator and three fans; and the TW2-240 Pro Color, with a 240 mm x 120 mm radiator and two fans. Among the CPU socket types supported are AM4, LGA1200, LGA115x, and LGA2066. The company didn't reveal pricing.

ASRock Rack today introduced the W480M WS socket LGA1200 motherboard targeted at workstation builds, in the Micro-ATX form-factor. This board should appeal greatly to those wanting a very conservative-looking motherboard with a green PCB and conventional-finned aluminium heatsinks cooling the CPU VRM and PCH. Based on the Intel W480 chipset, the board not only supports all 10th Gen Core "Comet Lake" processors, but also Xeon W-1200 series processors based on the silicon, including support for ECC memory when paired with Xeon processors. The board draws power from a combination of a 24-pin ATX and 8-pin+4-pin EPS connectors; conditioning it for the CPU with a 6+2 phase VRM.

Expansion slots on the ASRock Rack W480M WS include a PCI-Express 3.0 x16, an open-ended PCI-Express 3.0 x8 (which splits lanes from the x16 slot), and an open-ended PCI-Express 3.0 x4 slot that's wired to the PCH. Storage connectivity includes two M.2-2280 slots with PCI-Express 3.0 x4 wiring, each, and eight SATA 6 Gbps ports, one of which has reinforced power delivery for SATA DOMs. The onboard audio solution is simple ALC892 fare, but the networking on offer consists of two 1 GbE ports driven by Intel i210 series controllers. There's quite some legacy connectivity, including COM and SGPIO. The board offers a large number of 4-pin PWM fan headers so it could be used in 2U rack chassis with server ventilation. The company didn't reveal pricing.

Louqe and Noctua today presented the new NH-L12 Ghost S1 edition CPU cooler. Coming with a single 92 mm fan and Noctua's second-generation NT-H2 thermal compound, as well as the latest SecuFirm2 multi-socket mounting system, the NH-L12 Ghost S1 edition has been customised to be an ideal companion for quiet high-end builds in Louqe's award-winning Ghost S1 enclosure.

"We've tested pretty much every low-profile cooler on the market in the Ghost S1 and even tried to create a complete custom solution in collaboration with Noctua, but nothing worked as well as our long-term favourite, the NH-L12," explains Patrik Michalski (Louqe CEO). "That's why we've ended up creating a customised special edition of this cooler that will be the ideal choice for all Ghost S1 users who are looking for the best possible air cooling solution."

Bitspower today introduced its Mono Block for ASUS ROG Maximus XII Hero, and its Wi-Fi variant. The monoblock provides liquid cooling for both the LGA1200 socket and the CPU VRM of the board. The block's main coolant chamber passes not only through a micro-fin lattice over the CPU socket area, but also over the CPU VRM area. The Bitspower Mono Block uses nickel-plated copper as its primary material, with a clear acrylic top that's studded with addressable RGB LEDs. The contact areas feature a mirror finish. A single 3-pin ARGB connection lights them all up. The Mono Block measures 141 mm x 115 mm x 27.5 mm (LxWxH), and features standard G1/4" threading for your own fittings. Available now, it is priced at USD $210.

VLSI engineer and industry analyst, @chiakokhua, who goes by "Retired Engineer" on Twitter, was among the very first voices that spoke about 3rd gen Ryzen socket AM4 processors being multi-chip modules of core- and uncore dies built on different silicon fabrication processes, which was an unbelievable theory at the time. He now has a fantastic theory of what "Rocket Lake-S" could look like, dating back to November 2019, which is now re-surfacing on tech communities. Apparently, Intel is designing these socket LGA1200 processors to be multi-chip modules, similar to "Matisse" in some ways, but different in others.

Apparently, "Rocket Lake-S" is a multi-chip module of a 14 nm die that holds the CPU cores; and 10 nm die that holds the uncore components. AMD "Matisse" and "Vermeer" too have such a division of labor, but the CPU cores are located on dies with a more advanced silicon fabrication process (7 nm), than the die with the uncore components (12 nm).

ID-COOLING today announced IS-47K low profile CPU air cooler, featuring only 47 mm total height, 6 copper heatpipes, copper base and a 92x92x15mm PWM fan. IS-47K is specially designed for high performance small form factor builds with a TDP up to 130 W. It is compatible with the mainstream CPU sockets on ITX systems, including Intel LGA1200/1150/1151/1155/1156 and AMD AM4.

The thermal solution is achieved by utilizing a few key structural designs: pure copper base and pure copper heatpipes, high quality aluminium fins which soldered to the heatpipes, PWM 92x922x15mm fans and on top of that, a tube of high cooling performance thermal grease ID-TG25 which has a 10.5 W/m-K thermal conductivity.

ASRock introduced the W480 Creator premium motherboard for creators, which supports 10th Gen Core and Xeon W-1200 series processors in the LGA1200 package, based on the "Comet Lake" microarchitecture. Built in the ATX form-factor, the board draws power from a 24-pin ATX and two 8-pin EPS power connectors, conditioning it for the CPU with a 16-phase VRM cooled by large aluminium fan-heatsinks. The LGA1200 socket is wired to four reinforced DDR4 DIMM slots supporting up to 128 GB of dual-channel DDR4-4800 (OC) memory, including ECC unbuffered DIMM support when paired with Xeon W-1200 processors; and two PCI-Express 3.0 x16 slots (x8/x8 with both populated, else x16). These slots are gen 4.0 capable with future processors that offer PCIe gen 4.0 support. Storage connectivity includes three M.2 NVMe slots with PCIe gen 3.0 x4 wiring, each; and six SATA 6 Gbps ports.

Much of this board's serious "creator" USP begins with its connectivity. It offers two Thunderbolt 40 Gbps ports via type-C connectors, each with its own mini-DisplayPort 1.4 passthrough input that you connect to your graphics card. Networking connectivity includes a 10 GbE wired network connection powered by an AQuantia AQC107 controller; a second 2.5 GbE connection driven by Intel i225-LM controller, and an 802.11ax WLAN connection by an Intel AX201 adapter that also provides Bluetooth 5. The onboard audio solution packs some serious hardware, with an ESS Sabre 9218 DAC handling the front-panel headphones out (130 dBA SNR), a Realtek ALC1220 HDA codec handling the other channels (120 dBA SNR), WIMA capacitors for the front outputs, and the right and left audio channel wiring being routed through distant PCB layers to minimize crosstalk. The company didn't reveal pricing.

ASUS introduced the ROG Strix B460-H Gaming motherboard, expanding its ROG Strix family of motherboards based on Intel's mid-range B460 chipset for 10th generation Core "Comet Lake" processors in the LGA1200 package. The board joins Strix-F and Micro-ATX Strix-G SKUs based on this chipset. The Strix-H covers all platform essentials, but tops them with Intel Ethernet and a premium SupremeFX onboard audio solution. The Strix-H uses a simple 8-phase CPU VRM that pulls power from a single 8-pin EPS connector. The board offers a rear I/O shroud that has the latest generation ROG Strix design language, and a single-color (red) ROG illuminated logo. It also comes with an integrated rear I/O shield.

The LGA1200 socket is wired to four DDR4 DIMM slots supporting up to 128 GB of dual-channel DDR4-2933 memory (the maximum memory clock for the B460 platform is 2933 MHz); and a metal-reinforced PCI-Express 3.0 x16 slot. The board offers two M.2 NVMe slots, both with PCIe gen 3.0 x4 wiring; and an M.2 E-key slot for WLAN cards. Other storage connectivity includes six SATA 6 Gbps ports. The board's sole networking interface is a 1 GbE connection driven by an Intel i219-V controller. The company didn't reveal pricing.