The Intel Core i3-8300 was released recently as part of Intel's second wave of Coffee Lake processors. Compared to the i3-8100, it adds 100 MHz to the CPU clock and 2 MB of cache. It lacks the unlocked multiplier of Ryzen, and its integrated graphics are not nearly as fast as those of Ryzen G models. Is it still a good option in the $150 CPU market?
The Cooler Master Mastercase H500M is not simply an updated version of the H500P with addressable RGB fans. Cooler Master has taken the opportunity to tweak the case in almost every area. While this makes it a bit more expensive, the result is like night and day.
ASRock showcases their engineering know-how once again, this time by taking AMD's Threadripper CPUs and stuffing it all into a mATX form factor. 32 threads and mATX, along with a Taichi treatment? Yes, PLEASE!
The Kingston A1000 is a cost-effective NVMe x2 drive priced at just $150 for the 480 GB variant. Using two PCI-Express lanes keeps cost down due to a cheaper controller and simpler PCB design. This makes the A1000 barely more expensive than a SATA SSD and has it offer higher performance.
If you like customization and modularity in your peripherals, then the G.SKILL Ripjaws MX780 is definitely worth checking out. It offers a fully ambidextrous design with interchangeable side panels and a height-adjustable back panel for maximum comfort.
We test the strongest member of Cougar's new GX-F line - the model with a capacity of 750 W. The GX-F750 is fully modular, uses a quality fan, and has good overall performance.
The NZXT H500 and H500i present a smaller version of the H700 chassis, but employ the same steel construction. On top of that, the "i" variant features a built-in NZXT CAM module. With their retail-grade fans and well-executed features, the H500 cases are surprisingly affordable and have the potential to be favorites for both end users and system integrators.
ASRock is the first new player in the GPU market for a long time. We review their AMD-based RX 580 Phantom Gaming X, which is an overclocked custom-design variant. ASRock has optimized their card for low-cost, which matters a lot today due to prices being inflated by GPU mining.
SilentiumPC has of late been focusing on value for money. Enter the Grandis 2 XE1436. This dual tower, dual fan CPU cooler uses a popular tried-and-true design. Size isn't always indicative of performance, however, so let's see just what the Grandis 2 has to offer!
Here's something we've all been waiting for: HyperX finally made a wireless gaming headset! It's called the Cloud Flight and aims to not only continue the legacy of its excellent wired brethren, but to also be the best wireless gaming headset on the market. Does it deliver? In more ways than one!
Ducky has given their One series of keyboards a makeover with the new One 2 series. Coming in three options of a customized case and multi-toned keycap sets out of the box, we take a look at the One 2 Skyline that offers a well-built, fairly unique-looking keyboard with extensive onboard functionality at a good price.
Crucial's MX500 is one of the most successful SSDs on the market due to its great performance at an amazing price point. At launch, only 2.5" SATA models were available, but now, the M.2 form factor drives are shipping, too - with no price increase.
Swiftech has updated their Maelstrom reservoir series in nearly every single manner. With the use of thick glass in a rectangular form factor for the reservoir and integrated RGB lighting, it offers color options via LEDs or a coolant of your choice. Adding to this is their new MCP655-PWM pump that offers increased compatibility with PWM controllers, while retaining the reliability, performance, and quiet nature we have come to know and love from the Laing D5.
We try out one of Arozzi's top gaming chair models. The Vernazza offers good comfort and support for users who weigh up to 145 kg. It is no larger than your average chair, but has wide seating and backrest areas even though it adheres to a classic bucket seat design.
GAMDIAS is entering the optical keyboard market with their Hermes P2 RGB keyboard. It features great software and onboard customization, a choice of four optical switches with dust and spill resistance and, of course, a strong RGB backlighting game.
ROCCAT introduced their amazing Living Light system for three of their products at CES 2018, and the Kone AIMO is one of them. Of course, lighting alone can't make a good mouse, but when it's wired up with a high-end optical sensor, 50 million click-rated Omron gaming switches, and an extremely good build quality, it can surely turn out great.
The Ryzen 5 2600 is AMD's most affordable 12 nm processor you can buy, and fills the shoes of the popular Ryzen 5 1600. Thanks to its twelve threads, it will breeze through multi-threaded workloads, and its gaming performance has been improved a lot too, beating last generation's Ryzen 7 1800X flagship.
Intel's $200 Core i5-8500 is part of the second wave of Coffee Lake CPUs, released earlier this year. The processor comes with six cores and six threads and will boost up to 4.1 GHz. Our testing shows that even at higher thread counts, it won't ever go below 3.9 GHz, which will make life difficult for the Ryzen 5 2600 - its main competitor.
One of ASRock's H370-based motherboards has hit our test lab, ready for general compute use for Intel's latest mainstream Coffee Lake CPUs. The H370 chipset does not support overclocking, so we take a foray into stock settings and usage with the ASRock H370M-ITX/ac, which is just $100.
Ballistix has finally released their long-anticipated DDR4 Tracer memory, a line-up of high-performance LED-lit memory that has years upon years of history within enthusiast circles. We see if this latest iteration of Ballistix Tactical Tracer memory lives up to expectations.
The Ryzen 7 2700 is the cheaper, sub-$300 sibling of the flagship 2700X, and has nothing disabled on-die. It even comes with an unlocked multiplier and nearly half the TDP rating, which makes it the most energy-efficient processor we ever tested in multi-threaded workloads.
The Sennheiser GSP 600 is the company's new top-of-the-line gaming headset. It's essentially a simple analog headset with no RGB LEDs or similar gimmicks. Does it offer enough in terms of sound and microphone quality, as well as wearing comfort, to justify the $250/€249 price tag?
ACGAM is a new company aiming to make a big name for itself with the AG6X keyboard, a small 60% form factor keyboard. Featuring well-thought-out programming, onboard customization for controls and backlighting, a software driver that adds to the user experience, and excellent value for money, this is a keyboard you should definitely check out.
Alphacool looks to strengthen their position in the liquid-cooling market with the all new Eisbaer LT series. Offering the convenience of a closed loop with the option of expansion, it features an all-copper design with sleek looks and industry standard parts.
The AG-850M is made by Solytech and belongs to Apextechusa's new Apexgaming PSU line. It has a capacity of 850W, a fully modular cable design, and is backed by a ten-year warranty. On paper, everything looks good; however, in real life, things are not always at their best.
