In this week's TPU50 Megabench we're testing whether you can unlock additional gaming performance by disabling the E-Cores on a Raptor Lake Core i9-13900K processor. For our benchmarks we used the mighty GeForce RTX 4090, with 53 games at three resolutions.
With the Aria XD7, Fantech present their first ultra-lightweight mouse, weighing just 60 g. The Aria also comes equipped with PixArt's latest PAW3395 sensor, Kailh GM 8.0 switches, and pure PTFE feet. Lastly, the Aria features both 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth connectivity.
Sharkoon unveils its latest take on the 60% keyboard form factor with the SKILLER SGK50 S4. It features several enthusiast features, and is paired with premium accessories as well as support for multiple languages and layouts to make this a compelling typing solution at a very reasonable price.
Enter the world of custom in-ear monitors with the LETSHUOER EJ07M, as we explore the process of getting your own CIEMs beginning with ear impressions, a custom design, and the various pros and cons of going this route.
The noblechairs Legend is an expensive chair, with top-notch build quality and high ergonomics. It is available in five color variations and three different material types, helping you find the best gaming chair for your taste.
Forza Horizon 5 has recently been updated with support for AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution 2.2 (FSR 2.2), NVIDIA's Deep Learning Anti-Aliasing (DLAA) and NVIDIA's Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS). In this mini-review, we take a look, comparing the image quality and performance gains offered by these technologies in this game.
Datalocker uses its impressive patent portfolio and experience to put forward the DL4 FE range of encrypted external hard drives. The DL4 FE comes in HDD or SSD flavors, with storage capacities of 500 GB going up to 15.3 TB, and features an integrated touch screen with on-device encryption and management. There is also support for Datalocker's SafeConsole remote management platform to make the DL4 FE an attractive, secure storage solution for companies both large and small.
Focal enters the competitive wireless ANC headphones market with the all-new Bathys. It is a $799 audiophile-centric set of over-ear, closed-back headphones with hybrid ANC, physical controls, app-based customization, and even a dedicated USB DAC mode that aims for a punchy and satisfying sound you can take on the go.
The MSI MPG Gungnir 120R offers a solid, mainstream feature set with four ARGB fans, a built-in controller and USB-C. With its prominent MSI branding, odds are pretty high that it will look nice when coupled with matching MSI components. Read on, to find out if it manages to appeal to a mass market audience!
S.M.S.L enters the TechPowerUp review database with its budget-friendly SU-6 DAC and SH-6 headphone amplifier, which stack together for a combination that is already a commercial success. We take a detailed look at both in this review, and see how the combo performs for those looking at a starter audio source set that doesn't take up much room or leave your wallet empty.
CORSAIR updates its popular Hydro X Series XC7 RGB CPU block with the new PRO version, bringing increased CPU compatibility for the latest Intel and AMD platforms as well as a reworked cooling engine, promising significantly better thermal performance too.
Jelly Key's latest work uses a planet of robots with retro TVs for heads as inspiration for its new Retro TV Series – Galaxy Thieves artisan keycap series. There are plenty of cool TV designs and screens to choose from in different sizes, alongside unique accessories serving as statement pieces on your desk in addition to on the keyboard.
Intel's new 13900K offers amazing gaming performance, thanks to improvements to caches, IPC and higher operating frequencies. But is that enough to beat the 3DV Cache-powered AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D? What about platform cost?
The Thermaltake GF3 with 750 W max power is an ATX v3.0 and PCIe 5.0 ready PSU, meaning that you won't need to use the dreadful 12+4 16-pin adapters since it has a native 12VHPWR cable, rated at 600 W. The PSU's performance is high, and it also has a quiet operation.
With the X2, Pulsar debut their first ambidextrous shape. Equipped with PixArt's latest PAW3395 sensor, Kailh GM 8.0 switches for the main buttons, and weighing no more than 56 g, the X2 also comes with 70 hours of battery life and full software customizability.
CIDOO demonstrates its "daring spirit of creation" to bring out unique keyboards. The new ABM084 takes the established TKL form factor and tweaks it inside and out to make for a very intriguing wireless mechanical keyboard with a rich feature set, that also offers excellent value for money.
ZEPHONE aims to use its 25 years of experience in the audio space to target a more premium headphones market. The all new ZEPHONE Tiger uses custom planar magnetic drivers in a novel chassis design, with the goal of providing an authentic and enjoyable listening experience without breaking the bank.
The Azza Legionaire sports a unique metal mesh side panel all while offering an E-ATX capable interior and the usual features of an ARGB controller, four fans and plenty of radiator support. With such a side panel, thermals are certainly something we will look at to see if a mid-tower can benefit from the same access to cool exterior air as small form factor enclosures.
The noblechairs Hero ST Black Edition is a high-quality chair, not only for gamers but for business environments too, thanks to its clean design. The only problem is that you will have to spend a notable amount to get it, but investing in a good chair can be beneficial for your back's health.
FiiO bridges the gap between portable DAC/amps and desktop sources with the new Q7, using desktop hardware in a smaller form factor. It manages to pack in everything you can think of including buttons, knobs, and even a screen in addition to extensive I/O connectivity, desktop and mobile support, with lots of power off both battery and DC modes.
Cougar is expanding their cooling lineup with the Forza 85. This large single-tower design features an offset, for perfect memory clearance while also maximizing thermal dissipation. On paper it seems like a sure-fire winner, lets put that to the test in our comprehensive review.
EK updates its popular Velocity line of CPU water blocks to be socket-specific, with a completely different design philosophy taking cues from monoblocks for an extremely clean and easy installation. Add in a plethora of choices for the top and cold plate, in addition to all-round performance and you end up with a strong contender.
Gigabyte readies the X670E AORUS Master for the PC enthusiast. Offering a robust 16+2+2 VRM configuration, DDR5 support, PCIe Gen 5 support, dual M.2 Gen 5 sockets and loads of high-speed USB ports. There is a lot to unpack. Join me as we take a closer look at Gigabyte's newest offering.
How much performance can you gain with Ryzen 7 5800X3D over the non-3DV Cache Ryzen 7 5800X when using the mighty GeForce RTX 4090? Our review has the answer, we test 53 games at three resolutions.
LETSHUOER partners with HiFiGo and audio personality Z Review to bring out a customized version of its popular S12 planar IEMs. The new Z12 comes in black or gold (or both) colors while also introducing a new modular cable and a slight bass boost, with the goal of a more balanced and fun tuning.
Team Group's T-Force Vulcan Z SSD comes at amazing pricing for a solid-state drive. It's just $120 for the 2 TB version, and it uses TLC flash, not QLC. Our in-depth review shows that performance is solid, even though the drive is DRAM-less, the very large SLC cache definitely helps.
be quiet! updates its successful Silent Wings 3 lineup of premium PC case and radiator fans with the new Silent Wings 4. Today we examine the Silent Wings Pro 4 120 mm that aims to be a master of all trades, offering multiple RPM operating modes on top of an updated fan design for improved performance while still being quiet.
Lexar aims to take over the increasingly popular CFexpress market with its new Type B DIAMOND series memory cards that promise high performance, taking full advantage of the accompanying USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 card reader. It's a product directed at content creators shooting and recording RAW 4K/8K videos where performance and reliability matter most.
With the Core i7-13700K, Intel has built a formidable jack-of-all-trades processor. Our review confirms that it offers fantastic application performance, beating the more expensive Ryzen 9 7900X, and in gaming it gets you higher FPS than any AMD processor ever released, delivering an experience very similar to the Core i9-13900K.
HIFIMAN updates its popular Ananda open-back planar magnetic set to include stealth magnet technology, also overhauling the unboxing experience. The new Ananda Stealth goes for a neutral-bright tuning and offers a comfortable, enjoyable listening experience for fans of jazz and classical music alike.
Finally, we're getting Uncharted on PC! Sony's newest PlayStation port comes with modernized graphics vs the PS4 version, especially 'The Lost Legacy' looks surprisingly good in 2022, although it's based on a 2017 game. In our review we check performance on a wide selection of modern graphics cards and also look at image quality.
The MSI MEG Ai1000P has high build quality and achieves top performance in all tested sections. It has the best regulation of all PSUs we ever tested! Moreover, it is among the few 1000W PSUs tested so far offering both ATX v3.0 and PCIe 5.0 compatibility.
Questyle puts its patented current mode amplification to good use not only in the desktop space but also the mobile market. Today we examine the Questyle M15 that offers one of the very best portable DAC/amp listening experiences with sensitive IEMs as well as power-hungry headphones too.
The NZXT H5 Flow is not your run-of-the-mill chassis. Sporting a simple but beautiful design, it manages to be very pleasing to the eye like its predecessor, while offering modern core features we've come to expect from mid-towers, thus giving you a solid choice if design is what you are going for.
The INNOCN PU15-PRE is a portable 4K OLED touchscreen monitor, equipped with a 5.000 mAh battery that keeps it going for up to 4 hours without external power. It's one of the best portable monitors currently on the market, but that comes at a price.
Originally designed by YouTube mouse reviewer Zy "Rocket Jump Ninja" Rykoa, the MZ1 Wireless comes with the ability to swap back covers. Weighing just 61 g, the MZ1 Wireless also features PixArt's PAW3370 sensor, Kailh GM 8.0 main button switches, pure PTFE feet, and up to 75 hours of battery life.
Truly Ergonomic builds upon years of experience with the all new CLEAVE that aims to re-define how ergonomic keyboards are meant to be. This novel form factor introduces lots of keys while still using up less room on your desk, with clever design tweaks for better typing.
The Raijintek Ophion Elite provides massive cooling potential without encroaching into the functional space on the interior, so that you are able to squeeze in a triple-slot GPU, 280 mm AIO and an ATX sized power supply. That combination of capabilities could make the Ophin Elite an excellent choice for compact, high-performance builds.
The Zhiyun Weebill 3 is their latest high-end gimbal, geared towards professional videographers who use higher-end DSLRs. The new generation of the Weebill line packs a lot of additional features and functionality over the previous one, while keeping the same quality you have come to expect to from Zhiyun gimbals.
The InWin A5 may look like an ATX chassis based on its compact design, but manages to squeeze E-ATX compatibility into its interior. Sporting the same sturdy look and feel as the A1, it is also surprisingly affordable, which could make it a great choice for those with big boards, requiring a small footprint and understated look.
MOONDROP chills us with a new snow-themed variant of their popular Aria in-ear monitors. This version uses a different dynamic driver and has a cool aesthetic paired with a unique set of accessories to grab your eyes and also potentially your wallet.
NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 4090 requires between 400 and 600 W of power. We pair it with a Seasonic VERTEX GX-1200 to determine whether there is any difference in performance or stability between 450 W and 600 W 12VHPWR connectors.
With the Core i9-13900K, Intel delivers impressive performance. Our in-depth review confirms: Raptor Lake is the world's fastest CPU for gaming. Even in applications the processor is able to match AMD's Zen 4 Ryzen 9 7950X flagship. If only power consumption wasn't so high...
Core i5-13600K is a gamer's dream! The new processor achieves gaming numbers that match the best AMD Zen 4 offerings, at a much more competitive $320 price point. Our review also shows that 13600K can shine in applications, beating the much higher positioned Core i7-12700K.
MSI brings the Intel Z790 chipset to market ready for the spotlight. The MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi offers a cost-advantage, thanks to DDR4 support, featuring a 16+1+1 VRM setup using 105 A power stages, PCIe Gen 5 support and four M.2 sockets.
ID-Cooling looks to retain its dominance in the entry-level air cooler market with the SE-224-XTS series. These successors to the stalwart SE-224-XT showcase exceptional looks, solid performance, and an improved noise profile while still delivering tremendous performance per dollar.
A Plague Tale Requiem is a fresh new action-adventure horror-survival game that comes with excellent graphics and gameplay. In our performance review, we're taking a closer look at image quality, differences between the setting presets, VRAM usage, and performance on a selection of modern graphics cards.
We test the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 with 53 games at three resolutions, comparing the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X against the Intel Core i9-12900K. The idea here is to get a feel for how much graphics performance is lost by a weaker processor.
The Solidigm P44 Pro is the company's new PCIe 4.0 flagship M.2 NVMe SSD. It is built using the blazing fast Hynix ACNS075 controller paired with 176-layer 3D TLC NAND. In our review we saw impressive performance numbers, making the P44 Pro the fastest SSD we ever tested.
NVIDIA's newest drivers promise performance improvements for DirectX 12 games for Ampere. We put this to the test in our Driver Performance Analysis article, testing 25 games at three resolutions. Our benchmarks confirm: not only Ampere gets higher FPS, but Pascal and Turing, too.
Creative introduces the budget-friendly Sound Blaster X1 that takes the portable DAC/amp form factor and pushes the feature set further beyond the mobile space. The X1 runs with the desktop Sound Blaster drivers for enhanced customization and audio controls, in addition to support for Creative's unique Super X-Fi headphone holography too!
The new NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 is a graphics card powerhouse, but what happens when you run it on a PCI-Express 4.0 x8 bus? In our mini-review we've also tested various PCI-Express 3.0, 2.0 and 1.1 configs to get a feel for how FPS scales with bandwidth.
Beelink's SER5 Pro 5600H Mini-PC has the makings of a compact high-end system. This tiny system based on the AMD Ryzen 5 5600H comes fully equipped with 32 GB of memory and a 500 GB NVMe SSD, making for a potent combination that is even sweeter when considering the attractive price.
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro is an excellent gaming headset. While being analog, it comes with the GameDAC Gen 2, an external USB sound card with two USB-C inputs, and a host of exciting features.
The Thermaltake Core series has always been quite innovative and the new Core P3 TG Pro is no different. It manages to improve several features of the original Core P3 TG to provide more versatility and better compatibility, at a relatively low cost of entry for those who desire an open frame chassis.
The ASUS GeForce RTX 4090 STRIX OC is the company's flagship graphics card. It comes with a huge cooler that's all metal, even on the cooler shroud. In terms of performance our review confirms that this is the best air cooler available and out of the box performance is great too, thanks to a default power limit of 500 W.
The MSI GeForce RTX 4090 Suprim X is the quiestest RTX 4090 custom-design that we've tested. It runs at an unbelievable 28.6 dBA in our review, under full load, 4K, 60 FPS with ray tracing enabled, and temperatures are still really good.
With their GeForce 40 Series, MSI is introducing a liquid cooling solution that's pre-filled and maintenance free. While other cards take up three or four slots in your system, the Suprim Liquid X is only dual-slot. Our review confirms: noise levels are fantastic, even the pump is inaudible in idle.
With the Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4090 Gaming OC, the company offers a reasonably priced alternative to the NVIDIA Founders Edition that still comes with a powerful VRM, RGB lighting, an excellent cooler and great out of the box performance.
The Colorful GeForce RTX 4090 Vulcan OC-V is the company's top dog for this generation. It comes with a strong 24+4 phase VRM design. On top of that you get a detachable LCD display that displays vital information as the graphics card is running.
Palit has engineered their GeForce RTX 4090 GameRock OC with bling in mind. A large crystal-esque structure on the front intensifies the RGB lighting effects in an impressive way. With $1700, Palit picked a reasonable price increase over FE pricing, and our review confirms that performance is excellent.
Zotac's GeForce RTX 4080 AMP Extreme Airo comes with a mesmerizing RGB implementation that simply looks stunning. As expected, a factory overclock is included on Zotac's new flagship, and the cooler runs very quietly once the dual BIOS is switched to "quiet mode".
The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 Founders Edition offers huge gains over its predecessors. It's the first graphics card to get you 4K 60 FPS with ray tracing enabled, and upscaling disabled. Do you prefer 120 FPS instead of 60? Just turn on DLSS 3.
The Corsair HX1500i has good performance and top-notch build quality. Designed with extended functionality through Corsair's iCUE software, you can monitor and control some of the PSU's vital functions. Lets see how the PSU fares through our comprehensive review!
Gigabyte readies the budget-friendly AORUS Master built upon the B650E chipset. Offering a robust 16+2+2 VRM configuration, DDR5 support, PCIe Gen5 and four M.2 Gen5 sockets, Gigabyte is setting the playing field for things to come. Does the B650E AORUS Master have what it takes to win over the consumers? Follow along as we find out!
Featuring a top of the line 18+2+2 VRM using 105 A power stages, DDR5 support, PCIe Gen5 support, dual M.2 Gen5 sockets and loads of high-speed USB ports, the BIOSTAR X670E VALKYRIE is ready for you! Come along as we dig into this motherboard review to uncover all the secrets the new AM5 platform has to offer.
Audeze and TechPowerUp both enter the untamed realm of electrostatic headphones with the CRBN. These $4500 headphones use patented transducers to produce one of the best bass responses I have ever heard, and this is paired with natural vocals reproduction inside a luxurious and highly comfortable chassis.
Corsair's iCUE H115i RGB ELITE comes bursting onto the scene with a new set of AF ELITE 140 mm fans, which help propel this all-in-one liquid cooler into contention with some of the best in its class. Add in stellar support via the 5-year warranty, and you have a compelling option no matter how you look at it.
Mountain dreams of a modular world where you can assemble the perfect keyboard/control center for your needs. Towards this end, the company has launched two new keypads to provide dedicated macro keys as well as a new contender to display key controllers which work independently or in conjunction with Mountain keyboards.
The M42 Wireless is exactly what its name suggests: a wireless M42. The adjustable back hump is still on board, along with PixArt's PAW3370 sensor, Kailh GM 8.0 main button switches, and pure PTFE feet, all wrapped into a 67 g lightweight package.
With the amazing-looking Intel Arc A770, the blue team is making a push to offer a capable mid-range graphics card product at affordable pricing. Intel is including a lot of modern tech like AV1 video encode, hardware-accelerated ray tracing units and more on their newest release.
Today we're allowed to show you the GeForce RTX 40 cards that we'll be reviewing soon. So far we have seven cards in our labs, including the NVIDIA Founders Edition, the ASUS STRIX, the new water-cooled MSI Suprim Liquid, Gigabyte Gaming OC, Palit GameRock, Zotac and Colorful Vulcan OC.
Intel is pricing their new Arc A750 graphics card aggressively at just $290. In our review we ran extensive tests and can confirm that it offers decent performance for 1080p and 1440p gaming. It encounters strong competition though from AMD and NVIDIA, who have several products in this price range.
In this article we're testing the Intel Arc A770 graphics card running at PCI-Express 3.0, to get a feel for performance on older systems that don't have the PCIe Gen 4 capability. Another round of testing is done with PCIe Resizable Bar disabled, and finally we have benchmarks on Gen 4 with ReBaR off.
TOPPING is back at it with another impressive stack of an affordable DAC and high-performance amplifier. Today we examine the TOPPING E30 II and L30 II, that improve significantly over previous models, and provide excellent value for money in a small footprint - catering not only to demanding headphones but also sensitive IEMs.
CORSAIR partners with Cherry for an exclusive first use of the MX Ultra Low Profile switches in a standalone keyboard! The new K100 AIR is a wireless keyboard with more features than you can imagine being packed inside its slim body, but with a price tag that is equally hard to look past.
High temperature seem to be an issue on the new Ryzen 7000 processors. We're pairing a Ryzen 9 7950X with a $10 stock cooler, a Noctua air-cooler and a 420 mm AIO to get a feel for what the differences are like in terms of °C, MHz and performance in both applications and games.
Death Stranding Director's Cut has recently been updated with support for Intel Xe Super Sampling (XeSS) and AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution 2.0 (FSR 2.0). In this mini-review, we take a look, comparing the image quality and performance gains offered by XeSS, FSR 2.0 and DLSS.
Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered has recently been updated with support for Intel Xe Super Sampling (XeSS), making it the second game to fully support XeSS. In this mini-review, we take a look, comparing the image quality and performance gains offered by XeSS, FSR 2.0 and DLSS.
The Arc A770 Limited Edition and Arc A750 represent the very best Intel is offering for the Arc Alchemist Architecture. Our two review samples came in a huge box with a delightful set of goodies. Here's how everything looks IRL, while you wait for our in-depth performance reviews of both cards.
System76's Launch is a unique take on the 75% keyboard formula. It's a completely open-source design both on the hardware and firmware front, providing for a low profile typing experience with a few interesting tweaks, including a split space bar and the use of rarely seen Kailh BOX switches.
Shadow of the Tomb Raider has recently been updated with support for Intel Xe Super Sampling (XeSS), making it the first game to fully support XeSS. In this mini-review, we take a look and compare the image quality and performance offered by XeSS and DLSS.
MUSE HiFi aims to make a strong debut in its own take on the planar magnetic driver IEMs formula with the MUSE HiFi Power. Using exclusive tweaks to the manufacturing process and drivers to create for a unique shell and acoustic chamber design results in a product you need to see to believe!
The Doogee S89 Pro is a tough and rugged smartphone ready to take on your next adventure. Paired with a rather unexpected night-vision capability, the Mediatek Helio P90-based S89 Pro is not only functionally durable, but value-oriented, too.
The Antec DP503, with its E-ATX compatibility and solid feature list may well be a great all-rounder case that could stick with you as your build evolves, thanks to excellent cooling support and a set of useful extras such as a universal ARGB hub & fan controller, or the metal GPU bracket.
ASRock brings out the big guns with their X670E Taichi Carrara 20th anniversary edition. Using the same underlying components, the X670E Taichi is ASRock's flagship AM5 motherboard, featuring DDR5, M.2 Gen5 and USB4 support. Equipped with a 24+2+1 phase 105 A VRM, it comes ready for some serious overclocking adventures.
The Ryzen 9 7950X is a monster CPU. When paired with the right workload it will eat even the 12900K for breakfast. As our review shows, the performance uplifts can be massive: +30-50% gen-over-gen is totally possible. What makes things complicated though, is that keeping the beast cool is almost impossible.
With the Ryzen 7 7700X, AMD is introducing their fastest Zen 4 processor for gamers. In our review we found out that gaming on the 7700X runs better than the 7900X and 7950X, thanks to the single CCD design of the 7700X. Just like on other high-end AM5 CPUs, temperatures are a problem though.
Ryzen 5 7600X is the company's most affordable offering for the Zen 4 family. Our review of the 7600X confirms that this new $300 CPU offers huge performance gains over Zen 3, and can even beat the Ryzen 5800X3D in gaming. In applications, the 7600X is faster than the Intel Core i9-11900K.
The Ryzen 9 7900X is a creator's dream. It offers 12-cores and 24-threads that perform fantastic not only in highly-threaded workloads, but single-threaded performance is also there. Priced at $550 it sits right in the middle between Ryzen 9 7950X and Ryzen 7 7700X.
Gamdias hits the ground running with the Chione M3 240W all-in-one liquid cooler. This affordable offering delivers a one-two punch with its all-white design and solid performance for the price. The M3 240W is an intriguing option for those looking to stick to a budget.
Two years after the original LIX Plus, SPC Gear present the LIX Plus Wireless: PixArt's PAW3370 sensor, Kailh GM 8.0 switches for the main buttons, and rich RGB lighting, all wrapped into a 68 g lightweight shell. What's more, the LIX Plus Wireless retails for just $59.99.
XVX decided there weren't enough Tiger-themed keyboards on the market to celebrate the current Chinese zodiac year and puts out a unique graffiti-based version of its popular M61 60% keyboard. It features hybrid wireless connectivity with lots of pre-programmed controls and full software customization too.
Corsair Vengeance RGB brings a competitive DDR5 kit, with an XMP 6000 MT/s profile and modest timings of 36-36-36-76. Designed to fit right into the Corsair ecosystem, it is time to take a closer look and see what all the fuss is about!
The Razer Leviathan V2 is a 2.1 sound system consisting of a compact soundbar and a subwoofer. It offers USB-C and Bluetooth connectivity and uses THX Spatial Audio technology to bring you an immersive sonic experience.
The Kingston NV2 is a huge improvement over the NV1. It comes at similar pricing but is significantly faster. Thanks to the new Phison E21 controller, the drive offers the highly popular PCIe 4.0 capability at only $80 for the 1 TB version, making it a great choice for any cost-optimized system.
Ugreen aims to put its experience with high value, low cost electronic products into the audio space, with the HiTune T3 TWS earphones that also offer ANC and transparency modes at a wallet-friendly cost. They come in two color options, featuring touch controls and an interesting tuning you need to see to believe!
DeepCool seeks to dominate the competition with its new high-performance LS720 all-in-one liquid cooler. Packed to the gills with features such as daisy-chained fans, a customizable pump cap, and the company's Anti-Leak technology, it certainly looks good on paper, but can it truly beat all comers? Time to find out!
GaN chargers, once a niche product, are being more and more common. While most are wall chargers, the Kovol Sprint Desktop Charger is designed to provide 120 Watts of power across QC 3.0 and PD 3.0 ports, straight on your Desktop for a convenient, centralized power delivery setup.
Jelly Key's latest work explores a city facing catastrophes as a result of humanity's greed leading to an unsustainable world. Today we examine the Lost Cities 3- The Mad Future artisan keycap series, covering cities affected by four different disasters, a compelling art piece making a statement on your keyboard.
Acer is back, ready for another round in the highly competitive DDR4 market. Under the Predator branding comes forth the Vesta RGB series, with new looks targeting the eSports gaming market. This 32 GB memory kit has an XMP profile of 3600 MT/s while rocking low primary timings of 14-15-15-35 using the infamous Samsung-B Die. Join me as we take a close look, to see what all the fuss is about.
iFi introduces us to the world of premium portable DAC/amps with the aptly named micro iDSD Signature. It sports enough power to drive demanding headphones and yet can be configured to drive the most sensitive of IEMs too. We also get iFi's popular analog effects in the form of XBass+ and 3D+, this is a unit that seemingly tries too much, yet does everything fairly well.
EK's diverse product portfolio extends also to motherboard monoblocks, but what happens when a board already has an integrated VRM block? Today we examine a new Bridge block from EK for the ASUS ROG Z690 Formula that answers this question by making use of two existing blocks and bridging them together for a simpler, cleaner loop.
The Cooler Master HAF 700 aims to dial back the extremes the HAF 700 EVO offers, in terms of material mix and features, making the chassis far more affordable and thus appealing to a much broader audience, while retaining the core of what makes the HAF 700 series so unique.
The ADATA XPG Atom 50 is now available in a 2 TB variant. Unlike the 1 TB model, which used an Innogrit controller, the 2 TB version is built using Silicon Motion's new SM2269 XT controller, which supports PCI-Express 4.0, and DRAM-less operation.
With the T.G.A. Alpha, AQIRYS present the deluxe edition of their earlier T.G.A. The biggest difference is the weight, as the Alpha clocks in at just 67 g, yet maintains a battery life of up to 44 hours. Furthermore, the Alpha comes with a nearly unlimited supply of swappable shells, allowing for extensive customization. PixArt's PAW3370 sensor and Kailh GM 8.0 switches for the main buttons are still on board, too.
The Gamdias Athena M6 may not look like much out out of the box, but aims to sway you with its unique underbody lighting element. Add the four ARGB equipped fans and built-in ARGB controller for an attractive price point, and there are many reasons to take a closer look.
Sivga brings out a brand new dynamic driver using a beryllium-coated LCP diaphragm and installs it in a more premium set of headphones. The new Sivga SV023 puts out a warm, vocal-first tuning that is complemented by a wide dynamic range and good detail retrieval in addition to nice aesthetics and a satisfying accessory set too!
The ADATA Elite SE880 External SSD uses the blazing fast USB 3.2 2x2 interface, which offers transfer rates up to 2 GB/s. In our review we can confirm that these speeds are reached. Physically the drive is well built and surprisingly compact, especially considering its performance class.
Gigabyte releases yet another ITX compliant motherboard for the Intel LGA 1700 socket. Using the Z690 chipset, it comes with the added bonus of PCIe Gen5 support. Rich in features, along with a powerful VRM solution, Gigabyte is looking to be a part of your next SFF build. Join me as we take a closer look at Gigabyte's newest ITX offering.
Epomaker wants to remind you that custom keyboards need to be fun with its new Mini Cat 64 acrylic keyboard kit. It gets paired with a matching cat-themed keycap set and TTC Heart silent switches to make for a unique-looking keyboard we build and test today.
Red Dead Redemption 2 has recently been updated with support for AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution 2.0 (FSR 2.0) and the implementation of NVIDIA's Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS) has been improved, too. In this mini-review, we take a look and compare the image quality and performance offered by FSR 2.0 and DLSS.
The Corsair CX450M is an affordable PSU with good overall performance and build quality, suitable for non-demanding systems. The semi-modular cable design and compact dimensions will make your life easier during installation.
Priced at $110, the Silicon Power UD90 is an affordable PCI-Express 4.0 M.2 NVMe SSD, offering transfer rates of up to 4.8 GB/s. Under the hood, the UD90 uses the new Phison E21 controller and Micron's 176-layer 3D TLC NAND.
Lexar aims to take over the increasingly popular CFexpress market with its new Type A GOLD series memory cards that promise to be the world's fastest while costing less than the competition too. We put it to the test today and pair it with the simultaneously released CFexpress Type A/SD card reader too.
ASRock continues to innovate in the mini-PC space with its latest release, the NUC BOX-1260P. Not for the faint of heart, it may have a hefty price tag, but in return, its Alder Lake processor delivers massive performance with 4 P-cores with HT and 8 E-cores for a total of 16 threads. Add in dual 2.5 GbE LAN, along with plenty of display outputs, and you get a system that offers exceptional performance per watt, versatility, and for some, a bit of untapped potential.
Symphonium Audio aims to re-establish what balanced armature drivers are capable of with its new flagship. The Symphonium Helios is the result of clever engineering and lots of elbow grease, and ends up being one of the most exciting IEM releases with good tuning, excellent technical performance, and much, much more!
Don't be fooled by the fact that the Asus Prime AP201 is an M-ATX case. In fact, it may well be the reason you end up going for that type of motherboard instead of the classic ATX or ITX options out there. The AP201 manages to impress all around with its simple, yet functional, very balanced interior combined with a clean, beautiful exterior
YULONG is an established audio brand focused on bringing DAC/amp sources with a musical touch. Today we examine the desktop class DA-ART Aurora DAC/preamp/headphone amplifier that features MQA support, Class A amplification, up to 4 W of power, and plenty of I/O options in a compact, well-built form factor.
Lenovo's Legion 5 Pro is a thin and light laptop that caters to professional users and gamers alike, outfitted with a rare 16:10 2560x1600 resolution for its monitor panel. Clad in blended aluminum and magnesium, this laptop aims to keep itself cool easily, and quietly.
The first ATX 3.0 compatible SFX power supply falls into our hands, and we don't miss the opportunity to evaluate it thoroughly. The Channel Well Technology CSX 850M-G offers high performance, coming with a single 12+4 pin PCIe connector.
Netac enters the DDR5 market with the Shadow II DDR5 memory. This kit sticks to the JEDEC DDR5-4800 specifications, for maximum system compatibility and budget conscious consumers. Follow along as we test this memory and see how it stacks up the competition!
More than a year after the original Burst Pro, ROCCAT presents the wireless Burst Pro Air. Equipped with PixArt's PAW3370 sensor, the 81 g Burst Pro Air promises up to 100 hours of battery life, and comes with 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity. Optical switches for the main buttons and pure PTFE feet are still on board, too.
The ssupd Meshroom S is a new and improved version of the Meshlicious case, but with enough differentiation to co-exist alongside the original. As such it does not only set itself apart with new color options, but some discussion worthy tweaks and build possibilities that go well beyond its ITX based origins.
ARCTIC showcases how to handle a potential quality control issue the right way by being proactive about it. Today we take a look at the ARCTIC service kit for affected batches of its popular Liquid Freezer II AIO CPU coolers and go through the service process ourselves to see how user-friendly it is.
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is quite possibly the best wireless gaming headset money can buy. It's sleek, superbly comfortable, jam-packed with well-implemented features, and sounds great!
Neo Forza MARS takes this high-capacity memory kit to the limits. Configured as 2x 32 GB, with a 4000 MT/s memory profile and modest primary timings of 19-23-23-46, Neo Forza is looking to grab the attention of content creators. Follow along as we dive into this review and see what Neo Forza has to offer!
HarmonicDyne moves into the premium planar magnetic headphone world with the over-ear HarmonicDyne G200 featuring custom drivers that compete favorably against others priced a lot more, comes with fantastic accessories, and yet has some issues that we will address and solve in this review!
The GD120 is an expensive desk from Cooler Master with ARGB lighting and compact dimensions to fit tight spaces. Is it worth spending $380 to get it? This is a tricky question, so you better read our full review to find that out.
be quiet! looks to compete in the ARGB era with the Pure Rock 2 FX. Based on a tried and true design, this single tower cooler is quiet, well built, and visually stunning. Thus making it an appealing option for those with entry to mid-range systems wanting to add a little visual flair without going over the top.
Usable with any compatible Razer wireless mouse, the HyperPolling Wireless Dongle for the first time ever enables true 4000 Hz polling for a wireless gaming mouse. In this review, we'll explore and explain how the dongle works and test what benefits it offers.
With the Viper V2 Pro, Razer revises the Viper Ultimate across the board: it now has a weight of just 58 g, comes with Razer's new industry-leading Focus Pro sensor capable of 30,000 CPI, offers up to 80 hours of battery life, and uses Razer's third-generation optical switches for the main buttons.
Essentially, the Aerox 9 Wireless is the MMO edition of the Aerox 5 Wireless. The shape is the same, but the left side has received the usual 12-button layout. The TrueMove Air sensor, TTC Golden Micro main button switches rated for 80 million clicks, and pure PTFE feet have been kept as well, along with 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth connectivity.
James Donkey is a peripheral brand that prides itself on offering unique options even in a very crowded market. Today we examine its gasket-mount, hot-swappable, triple-connectivity mode RS2 that packs a lot of features to interest users at an affordable price point. Imagine a unique 99-key unit with a volume knob and a retro theme, and now you know you need to read the review for more!
Veikk is a popular brand in the graphics/drawing tablet market gnawing away at Wacom's market share. In our Veikk Studio VK1200 review we find out why. This 11.6" graphics tablet with a nice Full HD IPS display comes at just $170, but still features 8192 pressure levels, and a rich accessory set.
The Montech Sky One Lite is not simply a cheaper version of the original Sky One. It diverges from what the original offered and improves on several elements, while balancing well focused, useful functionality to provide a budget chassis that manages to punch well above its weight.
Thermaltake introduces a unique swappable fan design to its latest fan series called SWAFAN RGB, thus allowing users to customize their fan airflow layout without compromising on aesthetics.. It comes in 120 and 140 mm sizes and features also a new unified controller with software support over fan speed and LED control too.
If you are a content creator and in the market for the perfect motherboard, the Gigabyte X570S AERO G might just be what you have been looking for. With a mid-tier price point, the AERO G offers features catered towards the workforce. Including four M.2 sockets, six 6 Gb/s SATA ports and WiFi 6, for those who need a lot of internal storage and ability connect high speed devices. Follow along as we check out everything the Gigabyte X570S AERO G has to offer.
We take a step back in time to see how the HE1000se, HIFIMAN's 2018 release, fares today as we step into the flagship class of planar magnetic headphones. This article also covers a bespoke, truly customizable cable from Hapa Audio, and the two look absolutely gorgeous together, too.
The Fractal Design Focus 2 is the successor to the aging Focus G chassis. Being one of the most affordable cases from the brand, it focuses on air flow with two 140 mm intake fans, solid build quality while bringing along all those modern touches and design elements we have already seen for the first time with the Pop series.
The Kingston IronKey Vault Privacy 80 is a Portable SSD that comes with serious hardware security. All data is encrypted by a hardware engine and access only gets unlocked after you enter the password on the device's touch-screen. Too many wrong attempts and your data will self-destruct.
Corsair is at it again, this time the company brings forward the Dominator Platinum RGB line to the DDR5 market. In today's review we will be looking at this ultra-low latency kit. With an impressive XMP profile of 6600 MT/s and accompanying timings of 32-39-39-76 to match, Corsair isn't fooling around. Tag along as we put the Dominator Platinum RGB DDR5-6600 through its paces!
Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered recently released on PC with support for NVIDIA's Deep Learning Anti-Aliasing (DLAA), NVIDIA's Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS), AMD's FidelityFX Super Resolution 2.0 (FSR 2.0) and Insomniac Games Temporal Injection (IGTI). In this mini-review, we take a look at and compare the image quality and performance offered by these technologies in this game.
EK impressed before with its new Quantum Surface S360 and X360M radiators in the 30-mm and 60-mm thickness classes respectively, and today we examine the P360M that slots between the two at 44 mm in thickness. It shares more in common with the bigger X360M in features and performance too, so you owe it to yourself to go through this review should you be in the market for a new radiator.
The Aerox 5 Wireless is marketed as a lightweight multi-genre gaming mouse. To this end, the 9-button Aerox 5 Wireless comes with the TrueMove Air sensor, 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth connectivity, and up to 180 hours of battery life, all wrapped into a 73 g lightweight package.
Edifier introduces the new STAX SPIRIT product line beginning with the S3 that uses custom planar magnetic drivers and Qualcomm technology to bring out a unique set of Bluetooth headphones. It boasts of excellent tuning and detailed sound with two sets of ear pads, a long 80 hour battery life with quick charging, and even app-based customization to make this a highly attractive option for audiophiles on the go.
The XPG Valor Air offers four fans, a steel front along with a nice list of functional features - all for less than $60. That on its own should grab the attention of plenty of people to take a closer look. As such the XPG Valor Air may just be the perfect budget case for those who won't push the boundaries with expensive, big and long components anyways.
Varmilo takes inspiration from Giorgio Morandi for its new Minilo 65% keyboard, with the new Eucalyptus theme offering a fresh, subtle take on different colors paired well. The Varmilo Minilo Eucalyptus also offers several switches and connectivity options, and all have excellent build quality in common to interest anyone looking for a new small form factor keyboard.
Freshly dropped on the global 5G network is nubia's latest, the REDMAGIC 7S Pro. Built from the ground up focused on gaming, this 5G-capable, Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 gaming smartphone comes equipped with additional touchpads on one side like a hand-held console, plus features some of the fastest performance possible from a phone right now. And it has a built-in 20,000 RPM RGB fan.
ASUS is bringing forward the ROG Maximus Extreme Glacial by collaborating with EKWB for the custom waterblock. Nothing is left out of this flagship motherboard with a Top-tier 24+1+2 VRM design, Thunderbolt 4, 10G LAN, PCIe Gen5, DDR5 and even a Gen5 M.2 socket! ASUS knows the bar is already set high and looks to break away from the pack.
The Fractal Design Define 7 Nano offers the same looks and build quality as its bigger brethren, while keeping the general layout wrapped around the ITX form factor. Even so, Fractal has gone ahead and included several updates not found in the original chassis in the hopes that the Define 7 Nano makes just as big of a splash.
Somewhat similarly to the Ninjutso Origin One X, the Helios Go XD5 is a smaller-sized recreation of Microsoft's ever-popular IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0. Equipped with PixArt's PAW3370 sensor, the 72 g Helios Go XD5 is said to have a battery life of up to 40 hours. Kailh GM 8.0 switches are used for the main buttons, complemented by pure PTFE feet.
Lofree enters the TechPowerUp review database with the novel, highly transparent 1% dual mode keyboard. It uses a custom polycarbonate case and keycaps paired with clear Kailh switches to make for a Bluetooth keyboard that looks like a set of ice crystals when lit up bright white!
Truthear joins an extremely competitive IEM market with its first set called ZERO. In collaboration with known IEM reviewer Crinacle, this set offers a rarely seen dual dynamic driver configuration tuned to the Harman in-ear target to carve a niche market for itself without hurting the wallet either!
be quiet! is celebrating 20 years and is adding a new twist to one of its most popular cases with the Pure Base 500 FX which is based on the original 500 DX. Equipped with four Light Wings fans and sporting an ARGB controller with PWM Fan hub, it hopes to give that chassis a second live at the same time.
For their 20th anniversary, be quiet! is introducing a new all-in-one CPU liquid cooler, the Pure Loop 2 FX 280. It comes with a great look, thanks to its ARGB lighting capability and performance is very respectable, too, especially on AMD Ryzen systems.
Essentially, the SteelSeries Aerox 5 is the lightweight version of the Rival 5. Equipped with the TrueMove Air sensor, the right-handed ergonomic Aerox 5 comes with nine programmable buttons in total, yet only weighs 66 g. Rich RGB lighting is on board, too, along with pure PTFE feet and a detachable cable.
Chernobylite has recently been updated with support for AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution 2.0 (FSR 2.0). In this mini-review, we take a look and compare the image quality and performance offered by FSR 2.0.
Noctua looks to conquer the small form factor cooling market with the NH-D12L. With its maximum height of 145 mm, it fits standard 4U rackmount chassis and a wider range of Mini-ITX cases than traditional tower coolers. Add exceptional long-term support, good performance for its targeted market, and low noise levels and you have a solid offering for those limited by height.
DUNU is celebrating its 20th year since establishment by adopting lessons learned along the way and combining them with new engineering concepts for the all-new VULKAN. It is a hybrid set of IEMs using a unique 2 DD/4 BA configuration and offers a new take on the U-shaped tuning formula to make it stand out from the crowd.
Intel Arc A380 is the first graphics card that the Blue Team is releasing this year. It's based on the new Xe "Alchemist" architecture, which includes support for hardware-accelerated ray tracing. In our in-depth review of the A380 we check rasterization performance, RT performance, power, heat, noise, on an AMD Ryzen platform.
Razer takes inspiration from its past and brings out a new flagship keyboard series in the form of the DeathStalker V2. Today we examine the DeathStalker V2 Pro that is a low profile optical keyboard with three connectivity modes, excellent software and hardware customization, good build quality, and long battery life paired with fast wireless usage too.
The Sonos Ray is the most compact and least expensive soundbar Sonos currently offers. It's small enough to fit even under a monitor and brings with it all of the features of the most advanced multiroom speaker system in the world.
As the name already suggests, the Xlite V2 Mini Wireless is a smaller Xlite V2 Wireless. Much like its bigger brother, it comes with PixArt's PAW3370 sensor, Kailh GM 8.0 switches for the main buttons, and up to 70 hours of battery life, all wrapped into a 56 g lightweight package.
The Corsair CX-M Series 650 W is one best available budget PSUs. It performed very well in our tests and runs reasonably quiet. Given the affordable positioning it shouldn't be an issue that it lacks the 12+4 pin PCIe connector for future GPUs, most budget PSUs won't meet the strict ATX 3.0 requirements anyway.
The DeepCool AK400 may be a classic four-heat-pipe tower cooler, but traditional design aside, it is a compelling entry-level option. Its price-to-performance ratio is impressive, and the lack of ARGB lighting doesn't affect its aesthetically pleasing appearance. Drop in a good warranty and low noise levels and you have a winner.
The Cooler Master GM34-CWQ ARGB is a 34-inch ultrawide gaming monitor with a serious ace up its sleeve: Quantum Dot technology. It improves just about every aspect of its picture quality and pushes it into a higher class of gaming ultrawides.
XPG brings out the big guns with its Caster line aimed at the PC enthusiast community. Equipped with an XMP profile of 6400 MT/s and modest timings of 40-40-40-76, this XPG Caster memory kit is ready to be put through the paces!
Portable PC gaming is here to stay, and while Valve may have been the one to make it accessible with their $400 entry point, brands like One Notebook and their ONEXPLAYER manage to push the envelope with genuine Windows systems while giving you the choice between Intel and AMD, as well as more screen sizes and storage.
The Lian Li Lancool 3 is one massive chassis with plenty of attention to detail, which results in an uncompromising range of compatibility no matter the type of system inside. With its four 140 mm PWM fans and up to 12 hard-drive bays or triple 360 mm radiator support, the Lancool 3 literally goes big and certainly conveys "born to excel."
FiiO updated its flagship desktop DAC/amplifier with dual ESS Sabre ES9038PRO DACs, and the new K9 Pro ESS has some more quality-of-life improvements sweetening the deal. This is an excellent set with features including powerful, clean wired performance, extensive I/O support, and a mobile app with further customization options!
The Cooler Master MasterBox TD300 Mesh takes the design of the TD500 Mesh and shrinks it down. Utilizing the same body as the MB311L and NR400, the TD300 Mesh will be an interesting alternative that draws on both of those cases to provide a fun and useful gaming chassis.
The INNOCN 40C1R is a huge 40-inch ultrawide IPS monitor that aims to offer something to everyone. Gamers will enjoy its 144 Hz refresh rate, low input lag, and good motion handling, while its massive screen real estate and 90 W USB-C power delivery are bound to attract anyone looking for a capable productivity monitor.
Today, we examine the extremely popular Audeze LCD-X (2021) set of open-back headphones to see how well it meets both studio monitoring and general consumer needs as a standalone product and in combination with Audeze and Embody's Reveal+ plug-in for a truly personalized audio experience.
Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy recently got support for AMD's FidelityFX Super Resolution 2.0 through a community mod. The addon converts the officially supported DLSS render path into instructions the AMD FSR 2.0 algorithm understands, and results are excellent.
With the Ryzen 7 5700X, AMD is finally offering a more affordable 8-core processor. In our review, we take a close look at how this $265 CPU performs against the Ryzen 7 5800X, and also compare it to Intel's Alder Lake lineup, including the i5-12600K and i7-12700K.
AQIRYS looks to break into the all-in-one liquid cooler market with the Aquarius 360 AIO. This aesthetically pleasing design comes at an affordable price, which certainly means it looks the part of a crowd-pleaser. However, performance matters, and this CLC struggles in that regard, but not all is lost.
Metro Exodus Enhanced Edition recently got support for AMD's FidelityFX Super Resolution 2.0 through a community mod. The addon converts the officially supported DLSS render path into instructions the AMD FSR 2.0 algorithm understands, and results are excellent.
The Silicon Power Armor A66 is a line of portable HDDs available in capacities of up to 5 TB. The 5 TB version sells for a highly competitive $120. Thanks to an IPX4 rating, the drive is water-resistant, and MIL-STD bump testing ensures it will survive drops from reasonable heights.
The right-handed ergonomic ROCCAT Kone XP comes with PixArt's PAW3370 sensor, optical switches for the main buttons, and rich RGB lighting. Furthermore, the Kone XP has no less than 13 buttons and 29 button functions in total, coupled with a 4D scroll wheel and extensive programmability.
Red Dead Redemption 2 recently got support for AMD's FidelityFX Super Resolution 2.0 through a community mod. The addon converts the officially supported DLSS render path into instructions the AMD FSR 2.0 algorithm understands, and results are excellent.
EK has thrown their hat into the workstation ring with the Fluid Works S5000. Equipped with an AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3990X and two NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090 graphics cards, this system comes packed to the gills with number-crunching hardware. Not only does it deliver insane performance, but it is fully liquid-cooled, meaning it consistently delivers top results.
Dying Light 2 recently got support for AMD's FidelityFX Super Resolution 2.0 through a community mod. The addon converts the officially supported DLSS render path into instructions the AMD FSR 2.0 algorithm understands, resulting in excellent results.
ThieAudio follows up on the impressive but expensive Monarch MK.2 and V16 Divinity IEMs with a more palatable offering that innovates with a brand-new full-range dynamic driver. The Elixir aims to put forth a compelling combination of good tuning and great technicalities while looking like a flagship set, too!
The ASUS TUF Gaming Alliance has been a staple of the ASUS product portfolio, and an ever-growing set of partner brands are offering their own TUF-branded products to provide consumers with a balance between function, features, and performance. After first building a system in 2020, it is time to revisit The Ultimate Force Alliance.
The Netac NV7000 is the company's flagship PCIe 4.0 M.2 NVMe SSD. It is based on the highly popular and battle-tested combination of a Phison E18 controller paired with Micron's latest and greatest 176-layer 3D TLC NAND. With their drive, Netac is including an excellent heatsink that ensures there's no thermal throttling.
With the fully ambidextrous X12, EVGA expands their line of 8000 Hz polling rate gaming mice. Equipped with PixArt's PMW3389, the X12 also employs NVIDIA's Reflex technology. Furthermore, the 74 g X12 comes with an additional LOD sensor, allowing for the lowest possible lift-off distance.
Priced at $90, the Fractal Design Pop is cost effective and available in cool color options for those who want an enclosure from the famous brand without spending too much. With the Mini on one end and XL on the other, we will take the Pop Air RGB with a green interior for a spin to find out if the line provides enough fun and value to stick around!
FiiO updates its popular K5 Pro desktop DAC/amp combo unit with the ESS version that puts the ES9038Q2M DAC to good use with lots of clean power, plenty of I/O options for PC users, line/headphone out support with configurable gain, and a large, comfortable volume knob!
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1630 launches today. The new card is targeted at the sub-$200 segment and goes head-to-head with AMD's Radeon RX 6400 and Intel's ARC A380. Unlike the Radeon, the GTX 1630 has support for the full PCIe x16 interface.
MSI and EKWB bring us a collaboration using the well-received MPG X570S Carbon MAX WiFi fitted with an EK-Quantum monoblock designed for the motherboard. Featuring a powerful 14+2 VRM, it also has the latest technology the X570S chipset has to offer with four M.2 sockets, 2.5 GB LAN, and eight SATA 6 Gb/s ports.
Cyberpunk 2077 recently got support for AMD's FidelityFX Super Resolution 2.0 through a community mod. The addon converts the officially-supported DLSS render path into instructions that the AMD FSR 2.0 algorithm understands, with excellent results.
Tiny Tina's Wonderlands has recently been updated with support for AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution 2.0 (FSR 2.0). In this mini-review, we take a look and compare the image quality and performance offered by FSR 2.0.
Today, we put FiiO's FA7s six balanced armature driver set to the test as we aim to see how this updated circular shell design and modern aesthetics combines with a world-class unboxing experience, excellent modular cable, and rarely seen 2+2+2 triple crossover system at well under $500!
TeamGroup has sent over a special media-only pre-binned T-Force Xtreem ARGB DDR4-4000 kit that is ready to be put through the paces! This 32 GB memory kit is dual-rank (2x16 GB) with amazing XMP timings of 15-15-15-35. We dive into the question of whether top-tier memory really grants more frames or it is just placebo.
YUNZII wants to shake up the keyboard market with the new Keynovo IF98 that offers premium features at a very reasonable price. This 98-key gasket mount keyboard with hot-swappable switches uses a translucent case paired with front and rear badges, and RGB lighting and software support round off its attractive feature set!
XMG has been making waves in the enthusiast laptop community with its highly configurable gaming laptops offering good value for money. Today, we examine the NEO 15 (E22) fitted with the Intel Core i7-12700H and NVIDIA RTX 3080 TI, and pair it up with the novel XMG OASIS external watercooling system, too!
MOONDROP impressed us every time to date with its good value-for-money IEMs at different price points. Today, we examine one of its least expensive sets. The $20 Chu aims to re-define what budget earphones are capable of. It features metal shells and MOONDROP's excellent tuning while throwing in a full set of Spring Tips to help seal the deal!
More than a year after the wired Pulsefire Haste, HyperX has released the Wireless version. Still powered by PixArt's PAW3335 sensor and equipped with TTC Golden Micro switches, the 60 g Pulsefire Haste Wireless is said to have a battery life of up to 100 hours.
The Gigabyte UD750GM uses a better version of the platform used in the P750GM, with vastly improved protection features. Overall performance is also higher, but still needs more work to be competitive. A lower price might help since the Corsair RM750x—the king of this category—only costs $10 more.
EK Water Blocks has a long-awaited re-haul of its radiator lineup in 2022 called the EK-Quantum Surface, and we take a look at the 30-mm thick Surface S360 triple 120 mm radiator. It not only aims to best other thin radiators on the market, but also takes on thicker radiators for performance while going easy on your pump and wallet!
The new EK-Quantum Surface radiators are a great refresh of the lineup. In this review we take a look at the 58-mm thick Surface X360M triple 120 mm radiator with excellent thermal performance, ultra-low coolant flow restriction, and multiple ports to use or choose from—it is modder friendly, too!
AMD's Ryzen 5 5600 is a great choice for the value-oriented buyer. It actually offers the best price/performance ratio of all Ryzen 5000 processors on the market. Thanks to recent BIOS updates, you can easily install this processor in first-generation Ryzen systems, making it a super affordable upgrade option.
Lian Li aims to one-up the RGB fan market with a highly modular, uniquely clean multi-fan setup in the new UNI FAN SL INFINITY 120 series. Featuring the best of its SL and AL fans, these use 40 LEDs per fan for an attractive infinity mirror look, combined with software control over fan curves for decent performance-to-noise balance, too.
DeepCool enters our keyboard review database with the KG722 65% keyboard that heralds a satisfying set of features, including front-facing legends, polished software support, plenty of onboard controls, pre-programmed functions, and a smaller form factor at a wallet-friendly price.
GEEKOM delivers what few can with their Mini IT8 mini-PC. By equipping the system with a quad-core Intel i5-8259U, 16 GB of SODIMM memory, and a 512 GB PCIe NVMe SSD, they not only managed to deliver solid specifications and performance, but also did it at an attractive price. Certainly a mini-PC worth consideration.
USB4 is the next evolution of the USB standard, but it's quite different from its predecessors as it brings with it support for DisplayPort connectivity, as well as optional PCI-Express and Thunderbolt 3 support. It tries to fix some technical issues, but adds a few of its own, but at least the labeling is clear.
With the XD3 V2, Fantech presents another Zowie S2 variation. This one is wireless and comes with PixArt's PAW3370 sensor, Kailh GM 8.0 switches for the main buttons, and pure PTFE mouse feet. Most importantly, at $59.95, it retails for less than Zowie's wired offerings.
Raijintek wants to throw a bone to those who can't keep up with increasing PC DIY watercooling component costs, and the Calore Elite CA360 triple 120 mm radiator exemplifies this mindset by offering good value for money. It also comes with rubber gaskets—paired with this thin radiator, these can put it within reach of thicker radiators, too.
A gaming chair with a fabric cover to brighten up a room. The Ymir from AQIRYS is broad, and the sturdy steel frame spells out comfort for users of up to 160 kg. A durable five-star base ensures stability, and the high-density foam filling is soft enough to comfortably game or work for several hours at a time. Is that enough to justify the price, though?
Tripowin impressed previously at the $50 and $100 price points for in-ear monitors, and we now examine its latest offering that costs just $25! The Tripowin Leá uses a single dynamic driver tuned to meet audiophile expectations, and it works well for general media consumption, too.
The Cougar Polar 1200 is the best Cougar power supply I have tested so far. Its build quality is high, and performance competes with the ASUS ROG Thor flagship using a modified Seasonic Prime Platinum platform. The Cougar Polar not only performs as well overall, but it's also very quiet.
Jelly Key returns to the 8-Bit world with a futuristic view of a city under siege. Today, we look at its latest artisan keycap series that explores more individual elements inside a keycap than ever before, with this true labor of love coming in 132 different combinations to choose from.
The Phanteks G360A is a new case of the Eclipse series—it features a fine mesh front, improved liquid-cooling support over the P360 variants while retaining the unique lighting elements, and same interior layout. We orbit around the Eclipse to find out if it has what it takes to "wow" the target audience looking for their next $100 case.
ASRock's Radeon RX 6950 XT OC Formula is one of the fastest RX 6950 XT custom designs we've reviewed, and its great cooler achieves excellent temperatures. The card also has a super-strong VRM with 21-phases, more than any other RX 6950 XT.
The Wemax Vogue Pro 1080p projector aims to be a compact, functional Android OS-based projector. It truly does manage to be one at its core with a sufficiently bright 1600 ANSI lumens, quiet operation, and good sounding speakers. But the competition in the space is fierce, so let's see if it can hold its own.
The Thermaltake Tower 500 sits right between the Tower 100 and Tower 900, providing the user with an ATX-capable variant that doesn't take up half the room. Although medium-sized, you get lots of flexibility in terms of cooling and storage, cementing it as the go-to mainstream choice if a fan of the Tower models.
Gigabyte's flagship motherboard, the AORUS Xtreme WaterForce, features an all-in-one monoblock for top-tier cooling. Designed for those who command excellence, Gigabyte packs in 10 Gb LAN, Thunderbolt 4, and a unique 90-degree layout for cabling. It is definitely a sight to behold, so follow along as we dive into this motherboard and check out everything it has to offer!
Japan-based audio powerhouse final audio joins the wireless ANC headphones market with the UX3000 and its novel Shibo coating that makes this a premium-feeling set without it breaking the bank. Using new dynamic drivers with a custom tuning and DSP-based EQ, this is a good balance of cost, hardware controls, and sound signature.
The Gigabyte UD850GM is a decent choice at around $110. It lacks a bit in overall performance, but has fully working protection features, compact dimensions, and won't force you to wear earplugs as long as it isn't pushed hard. I expect an upgraded version with a 12VHPWR connector for future GPUs soon.
With the M991 Enlightenment, Redragon presents a right-handed ergonomic wireless mouse with no less than nine fully programmable buttons. Equipped with PixArt's PAW3370 sensor and a 1000 mAh battery, the M991 still only costs $54.99.
Raptgo is a house brand of an OEM with years of experience. It now aims to show off its know-how with the new Hook-X open-back, hybrid driver IEMs using a novel combination of a larger full-range planar magnetic driver and bone conduction style piezoelectric elements to generate a unique sound signature worth checking out!
The SK Hynix P41 offers amazing performance thanks to a new PCI-Express 4.0 compatible controller. In our Hynix Platinum P41 review we find that this drive is faster than Samsung 980 Pro and WD Black SN850. Thanks to an energy efficient design, there is no thermal throttling, even without heatsink.
Comino impressed before with the consumer-grade liquid-cooled Otto, and we now step up a few notches to the workstation/server class GRANDO RM-S. It features multi-GPU and workstation-class hardware, cooled efficiently for high performance under non-stop work loads ranging from scientific applications to game development.
God of War has recently been updated with support for AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution 2.0 (FSR 2.0), making it the third game to fully support FSR 2.0. In this mini-review, we take a look and compare the image quality and performance offered by FSR 1.0, FSR 2.0, and DLSS.
Patriot takes the Viper line to new heights with its Viper Venom DDR5 modules. Binned with a 6200 MT/s XMP profile using modest CL40-40-40-76 timings, Patriot is targeting gamers and PC enthusiasts alike. Follow along as we take a closer look!
Farming Simulator 22 has recently been updated to support AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution 2.0 (FSR 2.0), making it the second game to fully support FSR 2.0. In this mini-review, we take a look and compare the image quality and performance offered by FSR 1.0, FSR 2.0, and DLSS.
XVX splashes into the TechPowerUp review database with its M84 Coral Sea theme keyboard. It adopts a custom aquatic design throughout and pairs it with two Gateron switch options, hybrid wireless connectivity, feature-rich software and hardware customization, and a price that is nearly the same as the employed 75% form factor!
1MORE completes its current TWS earphone cycle with the new EVO flagship hybrid ANC earphones. It adopts a dual-driver setup and LDAC codec support to distinguish itself in a crowded market, and adds a feature-rich app combined with touch controls and tuning from a Grammy-award winning artist to seal the deal.
AMD just announced their new Zen 4-based Ryzen 7000 desktop processors. We sat down with AMD's Robert Hallock and asked him a load of technical questions to learn more about what to expect from the new platform, its highlights, and capabilities.
Equipped with PixArt's PAW3370 sensor, the MVP Wireless promises a battery life of up to 64 hours. Kailh GM 4.0 switches are used for virtually all buttons, and at a weight of 76 g, no visible holes are utilized for weight reduction. Pure PTFE feet complete the package.
HiBy steps beyond its forte of technological engineering to put out a new set of wired IEMs that employs a carbon nanotube-based dynamic driver. It comes in three vibrant color options and boasts a highly ergonomic design paired with premium accessories, all while claiming to make vocals shine brightly.
HiBy is a popular brand in the audio world for its digital audio players (DAPs), and we examine its latest offering, the new R5 (Gen 2) player that offers a good balance of sound quality and efficiency on top of a dedicated Class A amplifier mode and the highly configurable HiBy mobile OS.
Alphacool's new NexXxos HPE-30 360 mm radiator differentiates itself from other thin radiators by offering not only five G1/4" ports, but also flush-mounted stop plugs to aid in installation. In addition, it aims to offer improved thermal performance courtesy an updated radiator fin and core structure.
The Xlite Wireless has been among the most acclaimed releases in recent time. Accordingly, the V2 retains what made the V1 a success, while refining some details: No more holes on the sides, improved weight balance, and a revised scroll wheel.
Sivga Audio's set of open-back Phoenix headphones uses the same self-developed 50 mm dynamic driver we saw in the closed-back Robin, as well as gorgeous wooden ear cups, but ups the ante with better accessories and build quality in addition to a more proficient tuning that makes the total package well worth the money.
The quad-slot ASUS GeForce RTX 3080 Noctua is the quietest RTX 3080 we ever tested by a huge margin. Even when fully loaded and delivering more than 60 FPS at 4K resolution is the card nearly inaudible. Not only noise levels are incredible, temperatures are very impressive, too.
Fantech is a growing peripherals brand looking to grab your attention and money with the 65% MAXFIT67 RGB hotswap mechanical keyboard. It provides an exhaustive feature set for its price, including hybrid wireless connectivity, two excellent switch choices, pre-lubed stabilizers, long battery life, and much more!
The Fractal Design Meshify 2 Lite and Lite RGB are cost-conscious variants of the originals. These keep $30 in your pocket by adding minimal compromises to several areas of the case. You still get the same dimensions and quality that made the Meshify cases so popular.
NETGEAR has improved upon its Nighthawk mobile router lineup with the Nighthawk M5 that adds a 5G modem in addition to WiFi 6 support. These changes make it a viable solution for many, netting download speeds far in excess of wired internet; it even includes a standalone mobile app for remote monitoring and customization.
The ambidextrous TUF M4 Air is the first ASUS mouse to feature externally visible holes. The result is a weight of just 49 g. Equipped with PixArt's PAW3335 sensor, pure PTFE feet, and a flexible, paracord-like cable, the M4 Air goes for very competitive $49.99.
The AMD Radeon RX 6950 XT Reference Design card not only looks great, but also achieves excellent performance, matching the GeForce RTX 3090, but at much better pricing. Because of good optimization and surprisingly good energy efficiency, AMD's thermal solution works very well, too.
64 Audio introduces its latest and least expensive set of universal IEMs with the new Duo, which uses a hybrid driver configuration of one dynamic driver, one tia driver, and more innovative technologies than you can count! It's a highly open set in more ways than one and executes a warm and smooth sound signature quite well.
Gigabyte is at it again, setting world records with the Z690 AORUS Tachyon! Designed with overclocking in mind, this motherboard is loaded with features to streamline that perfect overclock. Even so, Gigabyte hasn't forgotten about when the Z690 AORUS Tachyon is not on the test bench. Come join me as we take a closer look!
CZUR is a brand known for its smart document scanners, and we take a look at its latest and greatest yet in the form of the ET24 Pro. It features a sharp 24 MP CMOS sensor, add-on side lighting on top of direct lighting, fast and precise scanning, and an easy-to-use software suite!
Alphacool updated its radiator lineup with the new NexXxos HPE series in 30 and 45 mm thickness options. We examine the NexXxos HPE-45 360 mm radiator offering multiple G1/4" ports, a flush mount, low pressure drop, and impressive thermal performance that even challenges thicker radiators!
The Gigabyte M34WQ is a $500 34-inch ultrawide gaming monitor with advanced productivity-focused features. It tries to combine the best of both worlds, and in many ways, it does.
The Gigabyte UD1000GM PG5 is the first available PSU with a 16-pin PCI-Express 5.0 connector. The only graphics card requiring such a connector is the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090 Ti, which also comes with an adapter, but the upcoming 4000 series will need it as well, so it is good to be ready.
Inspired by Microsoft's still popular Wheel Mouse Optical (WMO), the Gamesense MVP Wired does without any holes, yet only weighs 65 g. PixArt's PMW3389 sensor, pure PTFE feet, and a paracord-like, flexible cable complete the package.
The HAF 700 EVO is Cooler Master's take on a no-limits chassis. As such, it joins an illustrious circle of expensive and massive cases like the In Win Signature series or Corsair 1000D. And while it is the latest entry in that category, it manages to make a splash inside and out.
A bit early to the party, the Synology RT6600ax router doesn't support Wi-Fi 6E, which utilizes the 6 GHz band for even faster transfer speeds. This doesn't mean it isn't fast since the 5.9 GHz band offers a—for the time being—clean 160 MHz channel and more range than the 6 GHz band.
We're reviewing AMD's new FSR 2.0 upscaling technology, which offers amazing image quality improvements that are able to match the visual finesse of NVIDIA's DLSS. The great thing is that the new FSR doesn't require any special hardware and works even on NVIDIA GeForce and Intel.
Effect Audio is a Singapore-based audio brand famous for its unique, modular earphone cables. This modular aspect has carried over to its new Axiom in-ear monitors with compatibility for different cable types and tuning changes courtesy a novel modular unit implemented in these premium IEMs that merit a detailed look!
The Sapphire Radeon RX 6950 XT Pure is a new addition to Sapphire's lineup that comes with a sexy white color theme. In our review, we find out that the card not only looks great, but the quad-slot cooler achieves fantastic noise levels which make 4K gaming at 60 FPS a whisper-quiet experience.
MSI's Radeon RX 6950 XT Gaming X Trio is the fastest RX 6950 XT we tested today, making it the fastest Radeon we ever tested. It beats the NVIDIA RTX 3090 and almost matches the much more expensive RTX 3090 Ti, with very little noise and good temperatures.
Gigabyte's Radeon RX 6950 XT comes with a large factory overclock that has the card run faster than NVIDIA's GeForce RTX 3090, at much better pricing, of course. The card also includes dual-BIOS capability and idle fan stop to reduce noise levels when not gaming.
The ASUS Radeon RX 6750 XT STRIX OC is an improved version of the RX 6700 XT that comes with faster memory and higher overall clock speeds. ASUS has engineered a powerful thermal solution that achieves fantastic temperatures and includes the idle-fan-stop capability.
MSI's Radeon RX 6750 XT runs whisper-quiet thanks to a well-tuned profile that maximizes the efficiency of the triple-fan, triple-slot thermal solution. Performance is also good, making this an excellent choice for all gamers using the 1440p resolution.
With the Radeon RX 6650 XT priced at a competitive MSRP of $400, AMD is offering a new contender for the 1080p Value King title. Thanks to an improved 18 Gbps memory subsystem, the RX 6650 XT can extend its performance lead over the NVIDIA RTX 3060.
V-Color enters the DDR5 market with its XPrism RGB SCC line. This DDR5-6200 2+2 kit offers higher compatibility among Intel motherboards and edges out the competition with XMP timings of 36-39-39-76. In this review, we will compare, overclock, and thermal test to find out if v-color has something special.
Wooting follows up on the highly innovative Wooting one analog keyboard with the new Hall effect-based Lekker switches used in the full-size Wooting two HE. It's an improvement in multiple ways both on the software and hardware side, and promises to make the dream of analog gaming on a keyboard a reality.
Why do you need a good quality USB sound card, and how can such a device improve your everyday life? We're taking a deep dive into the world of PC audio to figure out when it makes sense to upgrade our integrated sound cards and what to upgrade them with.
AMD is using a fairly narrow PCIe x4 interface on their Radeon RX 6400 GPU. We're taking AMD's new budget offering for a spin in a PCI-Express 3.0 configuration to determine how big the performance hit will be when running on an older system.
The Lian Li Strimer Plus V2 manages to iterate on the original V1 variants with a compete redesign of the wiring and ARGB strips which solve the physical shortcomings of the originals. Coupled with the useful Strimer Controller and L-Connect 3 software, these ARGB power extension cables are the cherry on top for all lighting enthusiasts.
Priced at just $105 for the 1 TB variant, the HP FX900 1 TB is one of the most affordable PCI-Express 4.0 SSDs. It's not only affordable, but also runs very fast, beating every single PCIe 3.0 drive we've ever tested. A preinstalled heatsink is included, too—there's no thermal throttling at all.
The IntelliMouse Optical is one of Microsoft's most beloved designs. With the Katana, Ninjutso aims to recreate this classic shape, albeit at a weight of no more than 57 g, and equipped with PixArt's PMW3389, Kailh GM 8.0 switches for the main buttons, and a flexible, braided cable.
HIFIMAN continues its technology trickle-down with the all-new Edition XS. It is the least expensive teardrop-shaped open-back, over-ear set from the company and features stealth magnets as well as a much thinner, more responsive diaphragm than its predecessor to make for excellent headphones at a reasonable price.
The Sharkoon MS-Y1000 is a different design spin on the MS-Z1000, which is an affordable chassis that looks cool, feels sturdy, and sports four PWM fans right out of the box. Designed to play in the same league as more expensive options, the MS-Y1000 could be a unique, but affordable Micro-ATX case that may be converted to hold your GPU vertically with an optional kit!
CORSAIR injects new life into its popular K70 RGB TKL keyboard with its own optical OPX switches. This new optical-mechanical version retains doubleshot injected PBT keycaps and AXON processing for up to 8000 Hz polling, and adds a fast optical switch to the mix for a competitive gaming edge!
It has been a while since Glorious presented a new shape. With the Model I, Glorious not only introduces a 71 g competitor to the popular G502 and Basilisk, but also brings several of the improvements previously exclusive to their wireless offerings to their wired mouse range: BAMF sensor, Kailh GM 8.0 switches, and Glorious Core compatibility.
The GeForce RTX 3090 Ti Founders Edition is NVIDIA's mightiest card from the Ampere lineup. We previously looked at various custom designs. Today, we're checking out the Founders Edition to test how well it does in terms of heat and noise, and whether it's an alternative to the even more expensive custom designs.
1MORE updated its popular ColorBuds lineup of TWS earphones with even more technological features to improve the user experience. The ColorBuds 2 comes in three color options and has wireless and fast charging, hybrid ANC, Bluetooth 5.2, and native SoundID integration for a personalized sound signature at under $100.
The Thermaltake Divider series always impressed with clean, glass-focused designs. Now, offered in four different sizes, forming a full model range, the Divider 550 TG Ultra aims the push the boundaries by adding features instead of size. With its unique 3.9" LCD screen, which may be controlled via the TT RGB Plus 2.0 software, it adds smarts and a bit of fun to the lineup.
With a maximum height of 154 mm, the entry-level SE-225-XT Black delivers exceptional case compatibility and perfect memory and graphics card clearances. Add in solid performance and style, and you have an excellent option for those building a budget system.
Nubia's gamer-centric, Android-based gaming phone comes with top-level hardware, a 165 Hz screen, and built-in touch pads to expand your gaming. This gaming phone with 18 GB RAM and 256 GB storage blazes past the competition in benchmarks, but what happens when being a phone comes second? It's hard to keep silent!
MSI brings forward the Unify series for the casual and enthusiast crowds. With a little bit of everything, the MEG Z690 Unify has nineteen 105 A power stages, five M.2 sockets, and PCIe 5.0 and DDR5 integration. The board also includes PS/2 legacy peripheral support, SLI/CrossFire, and advanced CPU overclocking.
Today, we check out the HarmonicDyne Zeus, an open-back, over-ear set that uses an attractive combination of walnut wood and a stamped grille with a premium hard case and thick cable to make it seem like a luxurious audio solution for audiophiles and the general public alike.
The AMD Radeon RX 6400 is targeting entry-level gamers wanting to spend less than $200 for their graphics card. Priced at $160, the RX 6400 is the most affordable new release in a long time, but does it have the graphics horsepower to deliver an AAA gaming experience?
The SilverStone SETA H1 aims to do for airflow fans what the SETA Q1 provides to silence enthusiasts. With two 160 mm intake fans in the front, it is poised to stay cool under pressure while leveraging the same spacious interior frame to fit any hardware regardless of size and keeping everything clean and tidy.
The Sharkoon MS-Z1000 is an affordable chassis that looks cool, feels sturdy, and sports four PWM fans right out of the box. Designed to play in the same league as more expensive options, the MS-Z1000 could be a unique, but affordable Micro-ATX case!
The Aqirys Procyon joins the illustrious inner circle of open-air cases. With its two glass panels, five fans, and angled motherboard, it certainly seems to have all the special DNA to set itself apart from the boring black boxes we usually contend with. Add its affordable price point and our interest is piqued!
The Jackery Solar Generator 300 is a compact, portable battery pack and solar panel combination, which makes it an interesting choice for the weekend warrior, especially as it still provides the same capable SolarSaga 100 panel we have seen in the massive Generator 1000.
DeepCool's AS500 Plus delivers compelling performance for a single-tower cooler that gives some of the biggest air coolers a run for their money. Add the white version's aesthetically pleasing looks, simple installation, and acceptable noise profile and anyone looking to grab one for their build is in for a treat!
Winner of the Red Dot and iF 2021 Design awards, HP gives low latency RGB DDR4 memory a new lease of life. With an XMP profile of DDR4-3600 and 14-15-15-35 timings using the infamous Samsung-B Die, it is worth a closer look. Join me as we test this HP V10 RGB memory kit in hopes of striking gold twice!
Time to build another keyboard. This time around, we pair a premium CNC-machined gasket mount kit from Akko in a fascinating Jade Green color with matching PBT keycaps from Epomaker, and go through all three of Kailh's brand-new BOX V2 switches aiming to be the new go-to for custom keyboard makers and enthusiasts alike.
LETSHUOER joins the planar magnetic IEM train with the new S12 in-ear monitors. It uses large 14.8 mm planar drivers fit into a small, ergonomic aluminium alloy shell to make for an attractive combination of aesthetics, build quality, decent tuning for multiple music genres, and comfort without hurting the wallet too much.
The Cooler Master MasterBox 500 has all the fixings of a mainstream chassis, but also offers a removable top cover for easier assembly and built-in ARGB controller and fan hub. While it is squarely built on trusted and true engineering practices, the MasterBox 500 also offers a few visual highlights, like the embedded ARGB in the front cover.
The Seasonic Core GX-500 performs well and is silent under normal operating conditions. Its fully modular cable design and compact dimensions are great, too. If only you could find it at a lower price.
Audeze caps off a productive 2021 with the LCD-5, its hotly anticipated new flagship. The LCD-5 is a genuine contender for the best headphones in the world because of unfathomable detail retrieval and an accurate sound signature, which makes it a favorite among award-winning music artists and audiophiles who want the best!
With the BOLT, Fnatic finally returns to the gaming mouse world. Equipped with PixArt's PAW3370 sensor, Kailh GM 8.0 switches for the main buttons, and weighing just 68 g, the ambidextrous BOLT is in line with current trends. Furthermore, Fnatic claims up to 110 hours of battery life, and up to 220 hours using Bluetooth.
Mountain is back at it with its unique patent-pending connections that have modular keyboards grab your attention! Today, we examine the new Everest 60 using a rarely seen 60% form factor with dedicated arrow keys, as well as the accompanying numpad add-on that fits either side of the Everest 60 for number-crunching.
The Sharkoon TG7M RGB aims to offer a functional set of features in a modern, timeless and understated design, which can make it the home of your hardware for multiple generations. With four retail ARGB fans and up to E-ATX support, the chassis has a lot going for it.
The $550/€600 Sonos Five is the most expensive, but also most powerful "traditional" wireless speaker Sonos offers. It's an entertaining speaker with impressive bass extension and enough volume to fill any room with a rich, lively sound.
The AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D is the company's new flagship gaming processor. It introduces 3D V-Cache, a dedicated piece of silicon with additional L3 capacity. In our review, we're testing how much the larger cache can help intensive gaming workloads and applications and compare it to the Intel Core i9-12900KS, too, of course.
Available for $65 and with great performance per dollar, the Raijintek Ermis 550B does manage to attract attention, especially as there currently aren't many budget-oriented SFX offerings available.
Sennheiser aims high with its new TrueResponse dynamic driver system for a new generation of true wireless earphones, and we examine its budget-friendly CX True Wireless in more detail. It comes in two color options and promises long battery life by keeping things simple and effective.
The ASRock PG Velocita returns for Intel's Alder Lake platform. ASRock targets the gamer market with Killer Networking, PCIe 5.0, DDR5, and M.2 Gen5 support. Thanks to the integrated low-noise fan and 17-phase VRM, ASRock sets the PG Velocita up as a mid-range product that has a little bit of everything.
The EVGA XR1 lite is the capture card many of us dreamed about for years: inexpensive, completely plug-and-play, and fully capable of uncompressed 1080p@60 FPS video capture, as well as 4K@60 FPS passthrough.
The SilverStone SUGO 16 is a compact, almost cube-shaped chassis with a volume of a mere 13 liters. With its steel construction, it strives to be an SFF chassis that offers a mix of hardware compatibility for those not looking to push the performance envelope while fitting into compact desktop spaces.
Monoprice is back at it with the Monolith series of audio products, and this time we‘re taking a look at its new closed-back over-ear offering: the M1070C. It is a planar magnetic set that comes with two different stock pads and a clean aesthetic to appeal to different customers, all without hurting the wallet too much!
Datalocker is synonymous with encryted data storage solutions, and we take a look at its new Sentry K350 portable USB drive. Featuring a full keypad for alphanumeric passwords and an integrated OLED screen to assist with set-up and daily use, the Sentry K350 is also compatible with Datalocker's SafeConsole management suite for further customization and monitoring.
Alphacool revamps the Eisbaer Aurora 360 with the new HPE, or High-Performance Edition. Sporting an entirely new copper radiator design, higher-performance fans, and exceptional performance, it remains one of the few and best examples of a pre-filled AIO that can be expanded and serviced.
The name gives it away: The Prime Mini Wireless is a smaller Prime Wireless. At a weight of 76 g, the Prime Mini Wireless still comes with the TrueMove Air sensor, optical-mechanical main button switches, pure PTFE feet, and more than 100 hours of battery life.
The SPC Gear VIRO Infra is a fantastic €38 analog gaming headset. Because of its great sound quality, excellent microphone, and outstanding wearing comfort, this is without question our new reference budget gaming headset!
CORSAIR has updated its line of Hydro X series watercooling kits. We take a look at the new Hydro XH303i PRO hardline tubing kit. It comes with everything you could ask for to get an impressive water-cooling loop going, with a new CPU block for enhanced thermal performance and enough power from the pump and radiator with fans.
The DUEX Plus is Mobile Pixels' mid-range 13.3" screen add-on for notebooks. With its versatile USB-powered interface, it caters to those with portable compact systems. Just like the DUEX Max, it sports a G-Sensor for easy rotation and the ability to prop it up in a portrait configuration.
Astell&Kern is a premium audio brand known for its DAPs, but it has several headphones and IEMs in collaboration with others. The AK ZERO1 is the company's first self-developed set of IEMs, and it has many engineering chops courtesy a tribrid driver configuration with a unique planar magnetic driver and vocal-first tuning.
The Kioxia Exceria Pro is the company's first PCI-Express 4.0 SSD offering. As the controller, the highly popular Phison E18 is used, paired with 112-layer 3D TLC NAND flash from Toshiba. This combination achieves excellent performance that's breathing down the necks of the Samsung 980 Pro and WD Black SN850.
The Intel Core i9-12900KS is the company's new flagship Alder Lake processor. After our review, we can confirm that it is the "world's fastest gaming CPU," but that comes at a price not only in terms of dollars, but increased power draw and heat output, too.
Gigabyte's full-size, thin, and light 360 Hz notebook, the Aorus 17, comes fitted with a 12th Gen Alder Lake Intel mobile CPU and NVIDIA Ampere mobile GPU, including the RTX 3060, RTX 3070Ti or RTX 3080Ti. Available in a host of configurations, we take a look at the 3080Ti version combined with an Intel 12700H and DDR5.
CORSAIR builds upon its Hydro XD3 and XD5 pump/reservoir combo units with the premium Hydro XD7 using a Xylem D5 pump paired with a flat reservoir shaped to look like three stacked RGB fans. Adding to the appeal is the integrated distro plate to plumb water blocks and radiators for a clean and unique-looking build.
There are very few desktop PSUs with 2 kW or more maximum power output. The Cooler Master M2000 Platinum is one. While a good performer and very efficient at even full load, it is very expensive, only has 200–240 V input, and isn't ATX v3.0 ready.
With the M480 Play, MSI upgrades its SSD offerings to use the latest and greatest 176-layer 3D TLC flash from Micron. What MSI also improved is the heatsink, which is now fully compatible with the Sony PlayStation 5 and looks fantastic, thanks to a great mix of colors and a matte surface structure.
ThieAudio has been on a roll off late with appealing IEMs at various price points. Today, we look at its latest and greatest: the V16 Divinity flagship. It employs a whopping 16 Sonion and Knowles balanced armature drivers combined in a complex 5-way crossover per channel and aims to be a technical masterpiece for years to come.
The Xtrfy M4 Wireless is more than just an M4 made wireless. Much like the M42, the M4 Wireless is modular and can be used with a differently shaped back cover. Another novelty is the movable battery to adjust the center of gravity. On the technical side, PixArt's PAW3370 sensor, Kailh GM 8.0 main button switches, 75 hours of battery life, and a 70 g lightweight construction ensure high performance.
The 14.1" Mobile Pixel DUEX Max is their biggest add-on screen to date. It offers the same features as the DUEX Plus, including USB interfacing, power passthrough to secondary devices, a G-Sensor for easy rotation, and various placement scenarios.
The MSI GeForce RTX 3090 Ti is an impressive quad-slot graphics card. In our review, we found that it runs quieter than other RTX 3090 Ti tested today. MSI also included a large factory overclock with their card, which handles 4K60 with ease.
With the ASUS STRIX LC, ASUS is betting big on their liquid-cooled thermal solution. The card itself is more compact than other RTX 3090 Ti models because the cooling magic happens in the radiator. A large factory overclock is included, too, and the power limit adjustment range goes up to 525 watts.
The EVGA GeForce RTX 3090 Ti offers a lot of customization options thanks to its triple BIOS that lets you pick between Normal, OC, and Performance. The massive quad-slot cooler keeps the card at good thermal levels, and the backplate is one of the best we've ever encountered.
Zotac is pricing their GeForce RTX 3090 Ti AMP Extreme aggressively, matching the NVIDIA Founders Edition. You still get a factory overclock, mesmerizing RGB lighting effects, and a large triple-slot, triple-fan thermal solution with dual BIOS.
G.SKILL is testing waters with the Trident Z5 DDR5-6400, an ultra-low latency kit. With impressive timings of 32-39-39-102, G.SKILL is pulling out all the stops. Tag along as we put the Trident Z5 DDR5-6400 through its paces!
Ghostwire Tokyo recently released on PC with support for NVIDIA's Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS), Unreal Engine's Temporal Super Resolution (TSR) and AMD's FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR). In this mini-review, we take a look at and compare the image quality and performance offered by these technologies in this game.
DUNU is back at it with an impressive set of IEMs that don't break the bank. The TITAN S takes inspiration from a cyberpunk world for its design language, and pairs a neutral-bright tuning with good build quality, excellent cable, functional carry case, and plenty of ear tips to make for a sub-$100 attraction.
The Intel Core i5-12600 doesn't have any E-cores, which makes it a fundamentally different processor than the Core i5-12600K, and thus very different than the naming would suggest. The Core i5-12600 is actually the fastest non-hybrid Alder Lake processor you can buy, but should you?
Sivga Audio is a relatively new brand out of China that aims to bring good-looking, well-built headphones to a more affordable market segment. Today, we examine the Sivga Robin (SV021) which comes in two wooden ear cup finishes and uses a well-tuned 50 mm dynamic driver for mainstream appeal at a nice price.
The Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus 4 TB offers tons of capacity for all your games, applications, and files. Thanks to the combination of Phison E18 controller and Micron B47R 176-layer TLC NAND, it's also able to match the WD Black SN850, which is the fastest SSD we ever reviewed.
As the name already suggests, the Prime Mini is a smaller edition of the regular Prime. Much like its bigger brother, the Prime Mini comes with the TrueMove Pro sensor, optical-magnetical main-button switches, and a flexible, detachable cable, yet at a weight of just 63 g.
Neo Forza Faye brings to market a high-capacity kit that features a neutral, RGB-free aesthetic. With a 3200 MT/s memory profile and modest timings of 16-18-18-36, Neo Forza aims to compete in the prosumer sector. Follow along as we dive into this review and see what Neo Forza has to offer!
The hotly anticipated Glorious Modular Mechanical Keyboard gets an update, and we check out both the 65% and 96% versions today. This review goes over the smaller of the two variants, available in three colors and multiple layouts, as well as a barebones kit or pre-built edition. There are plenty of updates inside and out to make for a portable keyboard at an excellent price.
The Glorious Modular Mechanical Keyboard has been updated! This review goes over the larger 96% version with a dedicated numpad. It is available in multiple colors and layouts, as well as a barebones kit or pre-built edition. Several new features make it an excellent keyboard at a great price.
The InWin N515 hopes to draw your attention with its fancy Infinity Mirror and provides a unique mix of proper E-ATX and liquid-cooling support in a somewhat unique case layout. Let's dive right in to see if we end up mesmerized or jaded.
Romania-based AQIRYS aims to make you star-struck with its Aludra TKL mechanical keyboard. Using a unique design language paired with more RGB LEDs than you can easily count, it's a gaming-centric keyboard that offers both software and onboard controls for a highly customizable typing experience.
Desklab sells one core product: the Desklab 4K Touchscreen Portable Monitor. This USB-C and mini-HDMI equipped external monitor offers a whooping 4K resolution at 15.6" with an all-glass front and built-in speakers.
SeeAudio has paired up with noted IEM reviewer Crinacle to release an improved version of its well-regarded Yume IEMs. The new Yume Midnight gets a bass boost and extended treble on top of a reworked acoustic chamber for enhanced technicalities, as well as updated accessories.
The be quiet! Pure Power 11 FM 1000 W costs less than the Corsair RM1000x and EVGA 1000 G5, which makes it a good price/performance pick. This is the best platform I have seen from HEC, but is it good enough to meet the competition eye-to-eye?
The Aruba Instant On AP22 is a WiFi 6 compatible entry-level wireless router with decent speeds and lots of capabilities thanks to its cloud management software. This router is suitable for inexperienced users who need a capable wireless router for their home or small business environment.
In lieu of a wireless S2 from Zowie, AQIRYS takes this quest upon itself with the T.G.A. At a weight of 76 g and equipped with PixArt's PAW3370 sensor as well as Kailh GM 8.0 switches for the main buttons, the T.G.A. delivers up to 50 hours of battery life. Furthermore, extensive hardware and software customization is also possible.
Today, AMD released their Radeon Super Resolution Technology. RSR is the magic bullet to achieve higher framerates in ALL games; it works on the driver-level, so no special game is support needed, it just works, even on older titles. We've tested it in several games, and the image quality is very impressive, much better than expected.
MSI looks to improve its share of the all-in-one liquid cooler market with the MEG CORELIQUID S280. The built-in IPS display on the pump and active cooling for the VRM result in this halo product delivering not only unique features, but also solid performance.
The Meze Audio Liric is a premium set of portable closed-back headphones developed in partnership with Rinaro Isodynamics. It uses a hybrid array, dual voice coil planar magnet drivers paired with many other novel engineering systems to make for a luxurious and comfortable listening experience on the go.
ASRock once again brings the popular Phantom Gaming line to the ITX sector. Including Thunderbolt 4, WiFi 6E, DDR5, PCIe Gen5, and a powerful VRM solution, the ASRock Z690 Phantom Gaming-ITX/TB4 is rich in features, and hopefully a worthy successor. Join me as we take a closer look at the ASRock Z690 ITX offering.
The HYTE Y60 is the company's second chassis. Just like their first, the Revolt 3, the Y60 seems to be a refreshing new statement in both design and functionality with its three glass panels and 45° angles. With a focus on liquid cooling and showing off your GPU, the Y60 can easily become the centerpiece of your gaming desktop.
The Lamptron HM070 Lift takes the same core display of the HX070 and embeds it into an external housing out of which it may be raised by pressing a button on the wireless remote. That is as unique as it sounds and clearly caters to those who want something that really stands apart from the usual visual bling.
CCA joins the TechPowerUp review database with the CA24, a 12 balanced armature set that is an engineering spectacle to behold through its resin shells. It uses a 5-way electronic crossover, deliberately tuned V-shaped signature, and ergonomically shaped shells for comfort.
The competitively priced Western Digital WD Black SN770 achieves impressive performance results that match the more expensive Samsung 980 Pro, WD Black SN850, and Kingston KC3000. It seems WD has found a solution to overcome the limitations of DRAM-less designs—very impressive.
The Seasonic Focus SPX-750 offers good overall performance, but is struggling to compete with the Corsair SF750 Platinum in most areas. Its fan-speed profile and over-temperature protection also require further tuning.
The Zotac RTX 3050 Twin Edge OC is one the most affordable GeForce RTX 3050 cards available. It comes with a compact but capable cooler that runs very quietly and still achieves good temperatures. What's also included is a small factory overclock and the fan-stop capability.
The INNOCN OLED Portable Monitor 15K1F is a 15.6-inch Full HD OLED monitor offering HDMI and USB-C connectivity and a protective cover that also serves as a stand. Its sleek frame and low weight make it impressively portable, although you might get thrown off by its $420 price tag.
Aside from being much smaller, the ambidextrous Model O- Wireless isn't much different from its bigger brother, the Model O Wireless: BAMF sensor, Kailh GM 8.0 switches for the main buttons, up to 71 hours of battery life, and pure PTFE feet, all wrapped into a 65 g lightweight package.
ASUS has upated its popular ROG Strix Flare keyboard with two new versions. The Strix Flare II Animate features first-party pre-lubed ROG switches and stabilizers, PBT doubleshot keycaps, a sound dampening foam sheet, hot-swappable switches, 8 kHz polling, extensive onboard controls, and a fascinating Anime Matrix display you absolutely need to see!
The Sharkoon Skiller SGH50 is a reasonably priced analog gaming headset. It is particularly interesting because of its high sensitivity, making it easily driveable by a wide selection of sound cards, including the most basic integrated ones. It offers good overall sound quality and a downright fantastic detachable microphone.
The Tronsmart Bang is a Bluetooth party speaker. With its rugged construction, IPX6 water resistance, and 60 watts of raw power, it is well equipped to handle your outdoor activities, and the reasonable $138 price tag only makes it more attractive.
The Aqirys Aquilla aims to woo the potential buyer with an impressive list of features while keeping an affordable price point. With its four 140 mm fans, solid material mix, and remote-controlled fan/ARGB controller, there is a lot to like about the case on paper, which had us excited to take a closer look!
7Hz is back at it with a new release hot on the footsteps of the immortal Timeless. Aptly named Eternal, 7Hz is using a single large dynamic driver paired with unique aesthetics to celebrate its 10th anniversay as it aims to offer a dynamic parallel for those who don't get along with the planar drivers in the Timeless.
Gryphon joins the WiFi 6 world with the new Gryphon AX router available as a standalone unit or 2-pack mesh WiFi system. It is supported by an updated mobile app that prioritizes content monitoring and filtering for parents and guardians in general, but does not compromise on WiFi performance, either.
Priced at $130 for 1 TB, the Silicon Power XS70 is one of the most affordable PCIe 4.0 SSDs. It still offers outstanding performance because of the Phison E18 controller and Micron 176-layer TLC NAND combination. An excellent heatsink is preinstalled, too. The drive never reaches its thermal throttle point.
With the T.G.A. Wired, AQIRYS presents another Zowie S2-inspired release. The T.G.A. Wired comes with PixArt's PMW3389 sensor, a 67 g lightweight construction, and pure PTFE feet, along with back and main button covers in various colors to further customize its appearance to one's liking.
NVIDIA's RTX A2000 is the fastest graphics card that fits into a low-profile form factor. It's fast enough for 1080p Full HD Gaming at maximum details and achieves that with 75 W slot power only, which makes it even more energy-efficient than AMD's 6 and 7 nanometer RDNA2 graphics cards.
The AQIRYS Pulsar LS White 750 W has a nice exterior, matching white, fixed cables, and a cool model name. However, is that enough to make it stand out of the crowd in the 750 W 80 PLUS Bronze category where it has to face units like the Corsair CX750M, XPG Pylon 750, and Thermaltake Smart BM2 of similar capacity?
Dekoni Audio has made a name for itself with a variety of replacement ear pads for headphones, many of which offer enhanced comfort and different tuning characteristics over first-party options. Today, we examine its Elite Sheepskin offering for the Meze 99 series of headphones and compare it to the stock pads for the Meze 99 Neo.
Epomaker joins the gasket-mount keyboard train with the new Epomaker Lite. This is a well-priced 60% keyboard that comes in both ANSI and ISO layouts, and has more customization options than ever before. You may pick from different cases, keycaps, switches, and connectivity options.
The Cooler Master HAF 500 is the latest edition of the long-running "High Air Flow" family of enclosures. With plenty of modernization on paper, it will be interesting to see if Cooler Master has managed to bring the case into the modern area while retaining all the DNA that differentiates these cases from the competition.
XPG takes DDR5 one step further with its Lancer RGB kit rated for 6000 MT/s CL40. Using a stylish, modern design, XPG is blurring the lines between performance and enthusiast-grade memory. Follow along as we thoroughly test the X.M.P profile and overclock this memory kit!
64 Audio is near-synonymous with world-class IEMs routinely used by the who's who of music. The company has several patents to its name. Today, we examine its $3000 flagship-class U18t using 18 balanced armature drivers and incorporating its innovative Apex module and tia driver technologies.
After the Model D Wireless, Glorious presents the smaller Model D- Wireless. Aside from the smaller size, the Model- D Wireless still comes with their BAMF sensor, Kailh GM 8.0 switches for the main buttons, up to 71 hours of battery life, and pure PTFE feet, all wrapped up in a 67 g package.
The Zalman Reserator5 Z36 is a cost-efficient all-in-one liquid cooler that will shake up the market. Instead of going with fancy LCDs, unnecessary software, or excessive features, Zalman delivered a solid no-frills performer that won't set your wallet on fire.
Kinera impressed before with its modular IEM cable, and we now take a look at its new limited edition set of TWS earphones featuring a hand-painted and assembled custom design, hybrid ANC with transparency modes, pre-programmed touch controls, and tuning inspired by its IEM R&D experiences to date.
Elden Ring was released today. It's a long-awaited new entry in the Souls-like genre. The game's graphics have been upgraded, and the engine runs DirectX 12 exclusively. In our performance review, we're taking a closer look at image quality, differences between the setting presets, VRAM usage, and performance on a selection of modern graphics cards.
At $650, the Backforce One Plus is one of the most expensive chairs we have evaluated so far, but its futuristic design and impeccable build quality and ergonomics go a long way in justifying its pricing. If you have the money to buy it, you won't regret it!
Akko has updated its popular 3098 keyboard family with the new 3098B, which brings with it a slew of new features that make this 95% form factor all the more attractive. There are multiple wireless connectivity modes, hot-swappable switches, RGB lighting, and software drivers on top of several different colors and designs.
The MSI GeForce RTX 3080 12 GB Suprim X is the highest-clocked RTX 3080 12 GB on the market and almost as fast as the RTX 3080 Ti. The large triple-slot, triple-fan cooler has the card achieve great noise levels of less than 33 dBA, which is excellent for this performance class.
The DeepCool CK560 may look like a simple design variant of the CG560, but improves on most of the shortcomings of its sibling while retaining the unique design elements, functional build, and cable management approach, and it even adds tangible extras, like USB-C I/O and the metal GPU support bracket.
With the Avior Pro, Mionix also updates their only ambidextrous design: PAW3370 sensor, Kailh GM 8.0 switches for the main buttons, pure PTFE feet, and a flexible, braided cable.
MSI's Spatium M450 uses the fast PCI-Express 4.0 interface for improved transfer speeds. It is built using Phison's brand-new E19 controller and Micron's best 176-layer 3D TLC. In our review of the MSI Spatium M450, we take a closer look at how well this 4-channel DRAM-less design performs with various workloads.
EcoFlow aims to set its portable power stations apart with the use of two product lines and mobile app support. Today, we examine the more portable RIVER Pro that has a cohesive balance of inputs, DC and AC outputs, and quick-charging and discharging support for a reasonable price.
iFi audio is famous for its DACs and amplifiers, especially with the various analog customizations added to the pathway. XBass and XSpace may sound strange to you, but this review of the company's ultra-portable powderkeg DAC/amp, the iFi GO blu, will familiarize with all these and more!
Total War: Warhammer III is the latest entry in the epic "Total War" series of strategy games. In our performance review, we're taking a closer look at image quality, differences between the setting presets, VRAM usage, and performance on a selection of modern graphics cards.
Exclusively intended for fingertip grip, the 24 g Zaunkoenig M2K is the world's lightest gaming mouse. With a carbon fiber body, Japanese Omron main button switches, and driverless 8000 Hz polling rate, the M2K is built for the lowest latency possible without compromising on anything.
The ASUS GeForce RTX 3080 12 GB STRIX OC brings more than just an additional 2 GB of VRAM over the 10 GB RTX 3080. In our in-depth review, we're checking performance of 25 games and ray tracing performance, and we also measure VRAM usage for each tested game.
ASUS's R&D team are again bringing the very best to the AM4 socket. Including a massive 18+2 VRM design, Thunderbolt 4, 10Gb LAN, and loads of goodies on the side, If you are looking to find out more about one of the most feature-rich X570 motherboards on the market today, It's all covered in this review.
The LETSHUOER EJ07M is a testament to letting a product shine by keeping things simple and executing them well. It is a tribrid set that aims to be a harmonious mix of accuracy and fun for both monitoring and enjoying music, and comes in two color designs in addition to a custom-fit option.
Cyberpunk 2077 recently received a big patch with game-quality improvements, and has been updated to support AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR). In this mini-review, we take a look and compare the image quality and performance offered by DLSS and FSR.
Phanteks always had a unique approach to ITX enclosures with their Shift series. The Shift XT takes that engineering prowess and repackages it into an all-in-one chassis for compact, air or liquid-cooled scenarios alike.
The Castor is one of Mionix's most popular shapes. With the Castor Pro, Mionix thouroughly updates this classic: PixArt's PAW3370 sensor, Kailh GM 8.0 switches rated for 80 million clicks, pure PTFE feet, and a flexible, braided cable.
The iCUE 5000T RGB is Corsair's latest attempt at including their cases in the iCUE software ecosystem. The goal here is to deliver a cohesive integration similar to using a Corsair mouse or keyboard with iCUE support. This aspect and that it is based on the same frame as the 5000D make for an interesting premise.
Ducky introduces QUACK mechanics with its new One 3 series of mechanical keyboards! Today, we review the 65% form factor One 3 SF, which comes in various color schemes and switch options, and adds several useful improvements and new features over the previous generation to make for an attractive package at a reasonable price.
The Kioxia Exceria SATA is a highly affordable 2.5" SATA SSD that only costs $80 for the reviewed 1 TB version. It is built using a Phison S11 controller paired with 64-layer 3D TLC NAND flash from Toshiba. A DRAM cache is not available due to the drive's low price point.
Essentially, the DeathAdder V2 X Hyperspeed is the budget version of the DeathAdder V2 Pro. Running either on an AA or AAA-battery, the V2 X Hyperspeed has up to 235 hours of battery life in 2.4 GHz mode and up to 615 hours using Bluetooth. PixArt's PAW3319 sensor, mechanical switches for the main buttons rated for 60 million clicks, and pure PTFE feet round things off.
The aune BU2 is an update to the company's premium B-series of portable DAC/amplifier units and features a dual DAC ESS Sabre ES9318 chip with four amplifiers, an R-2R ladder network for precise volume control, high fidelity decoding and playback with both wired and wireless connectivity options, and 2.5 mm balanced and 3.5 mm SE headphone outputs.
Priced at $130, the Neo Forza NFP455 1 TB is one of the most affordable PCI-Express 4.0 drives. It uses the Innogrit IG5236 controller paired with 128-layer YMTC TLC flash, and 1 GB of DRAM cache is included, too. In our review, we saw excellent performance that's very similar to the Samsung 980 Pro and WD Black SN850.
iStorage is back at it with another novel portable encrypted storage solution. The all-new datAshur SD is the world's first USB flash drive with both onboard hardware encryption and removable microSD card storage, which increases flexibility when scaling since sharing security settings between drives is easily done via software.
Intel's Core i3-12300 is reasonably priced at $160 and offers the best i3 performance yet. In our review, we found this 4c/8t processor to offer good application and gaming performance thanks to the new Golden Cove cores, and the lack of E-cores can actually be a good thing as it eliminates compatibility issues completely.
CORSAIR takes new features introduced with the flagship K100 and eSports-centric K70 RGB TKL to introduce the latest generation of its popular K70 RGB keyboards. Named the K70 RGB PRO, it is available in five different Cherry MX switches and comes in a full-size layout with PBT doubleshot keycaps, AXON processing for up to 8 kHz polling, and 50 onboard profiles!
Sapphire looks to break into the all-in-one liquid cooler market with the Nitro+ S240-A. Based on Asetek technology and equipped with hybrid fans, ARGB lighting, and a unique look, it appears to be a winner, but appearances can be deceiving.
The Tripowin x HBB Olina is born out of a collaboration with an audio reviewer (HBB) and aims to put a popular dynamic driver used in a much more expensive set of IEMs into a more affordable package. It is tuned for more widespread appeal and placed in very comfortable and pleasant-looking shells to interest many looking for IEMs at the $100 price point.
With the Torrent Compact, Fractal shrinks the design and layout of the original, but massive Torrent down to a classic mid-tower size. You still get the same dual 180 mm intake fans, RGB strip in the PSU bay, cool looks, and clean glass panels, all while advertising full ATX motherboard and massive air-cooling support.
With the massive Torrent, Fractal Design opened the door to a new line of cases. The Torrent Nano represents the smallest end of the spectrum within that family, sporting the same cool looks and unique layout while squeezing one 180 mm fan into the front and offering ITX support.
The Lian Li x DAN A4-H20 marks the official collaboration between the two case brands: an ultra-compact, 240 mm AIO capable, simple but functional chassis. If you stick to what the case advertises as compatible, you can rest assured that it will fit and function well, all with a tiny, understated footprint on your desk.
NETGEAR impressed us before with its Orbi Pro WiFi mesh system with WiFi 6 support, and today, we take a look at the more consumer-oriented Orbi version. The RBK853 is a three-pack system with a router and two satellites that promises a total throughput of 6000 Mbps and excellent coverage for your entire home and/or office.
The be quiet! Pure Power 11 FM 850 W is a good PSU, but the competition is tough. Some changes are required to increase performance and more effectively meet the competition from Corsair, EVGA, ASUS, and Seasonic. A price drop would also help, especially in the US.
Mionix is back, and releases updated versions of their classic shapes. The Naos Pro has the same shell as its predecessors, but comes with all-new internals: PixArt's PAW3370 sensor, Kailh GM 8.0 switches rated for 80 million clicks, pure PTFE feet, and a flexible, braided cable.
HIFIMAN's tried-and-tested stealth magnets technology trickles down to the budget-friendly HE400se open-back, over-ear planar magnetic headphones. This is a well-tuned set that outperforms many others costing significantly more, and does so without many compromises. Oh, did I mention that it's less than $150?
Dying Light 2 supports DirectX 11 and DirectX 12, in addition to ray tracing. In this performance review, we tested how well the various renderers work, and what they need in terms of VRAM. We also have comparisons for ray tracing and the different graphics settings available.
Dying Light 2 recently released on PC with support for NVIDIA's Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS) and AMD's FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR). In this mini-review, we take a look at and compare the image quality and performance offered by these technologies in this game.
The Neo Forza DDR4-5000 Faye memory kit is DDR4 pushing into unknown territories. Are you up to the challenge? It has been said patience is a virtue. Let's see if that holds true. Follow along as we see what it takes to break personal records and beyond!
Intel's B660 budget-oriented chipset has arrived and brings with it more choices for that new Alder Lake build. The MSI MAG B660M Mortar WiFi comes with DDR4 support, WiFi 6, PCIe 4.0, and M.2 Gen4 sockets to round out the features. At $190, it's considerably more affordable than available Z690 options.
The BC1 Open Benchtable has been around for a while, being the brainchild of a collaboration between Streacom and Overclocking-TV back in the day. Now, one minor and one major revision later, the BC1 V2 is quite the engineering marvel, making it one of the highest-quality bench tables out there.
Today, we take a look at the Calypso Gaming Chair from AQIRYS, which is well-built with dense inner cushioning. Thanks to vintage colors and a futuristic look, it'll be a great addition to your gaming setup—if only pricing were a bit lower.
With the ambidextrous TUF M4 Wireless, ASUS adds a budget option to their wireless roster. Capable of 2.4 GHz or Bluetooth operation, the 62 g M4 Wireless can be used with an AA or AAA-battery. PixArt's 12,000 CPI PAW3311 sensor, a PBT top cover, and pure PTFE feet round things off.
Sony finally brought God of War to the PC platform, with 21:9 ultrawide support, uncapped FPS, and additional graphics options. We took this GOTY contender for a spin on 28 contemporary graphics cards at three resolutions and took a look at VRAM requirements.
Lypertek fills the missing gap in its product lineup with hybrid ANC support on its new PurePlay Z5. This is a true wireless set strong on technological features, including wireless charging for the case, fast charging for the earphones, well-executed touch controls, and a feature-rich mobile app—all for a reasonable price.
The Genesis RX85 RGB is a full-size keyboard that comes with a dedicated volume wheel, plenty of pre-programmed controls for function and form, and software drivers for further customization. It uses the Kailh Brown switches and PBT keycaps to attract customers with a reasonable price, albeit in specific regions only.
The Creative Sound Blaster X4 is a direct successor to the excellent Sound Blaster X3. This external USB sound card keeps everything good about its predecessor and adds a couple of interesting additions to the mix, most notably SmartComm Kit—a combination of features aimed at improving our online call quality.
The Corsair MP600 Pro LPX is optimized for gaming on Sony PlayStation 5 and the PC. In our review's real-world game load tests we saw a clear lead in load times compared to other flagship SSDs like the Samsung 980 Pro and WD Black NVMe. Thanks to the preinstalled heatsink there's no thermal throttling either.
With plenty of established portable power pack brands out there, CTECHi caught our attention with the ST2000, a 2000 Wh, LiFoPO4 battery-equipped, 17-output-sporting unit with an unheard of 2-hour fast charging cycle that costs noticeably less than the competition in the space.
The Evolv X takes some of the advances of the Eclipse line and mixes them with the Evolv looks. To make it stand out further, Phanteks has improved several elements in the process, which makes for a fun, clean, and refreshingly beautiful final result in the Evolv X.
The MSI GeForce RTX 3050 Gaming X features a large triple-slot, dual-fan thermal solution that achieves excellent temperatures. Also included is a medium-sized overclock out of the box and the highly popular idle-fan-stop capability.
Team Group is ready for the DDR5 market with their high-performance T-Force Delta RGB 6400 MT/s kit. Sticking to a sleek design, this memory kit is ready to be put to the test. Follow along as we look into what Team Group has been cooking up in its R&D department.
Another two-for-one, and we happen to move up the price ladder, too, to $2000. The Lime Ears Pneuma is a fairly unique hybrid set of IEMs for using a dynamic driver as a sub-woofer and a switch for two tuning signatures to good effect. It is paired with the Hapa Audio KnØt IEM cable that aims to raise the bar for aftermarket customizable cables.
The 1st Player SFX 750 W is competitively priced, which ensures a high performance per dollar ratio. Build quality of this fully modular PSU is good, making this compact power supply a decent product at a fair price overall. The included seven-year warranty also ensures peace of mind.
With the right-handed ergonomic MM731, Cooler Master goes all-in: 59 g without holes, PixArt PAW3370 sensor, optical main button switches, and paracord-like charging cable, along with up to 72 hours of battery life in 2.4 GHz mode and 190 hours using Bluetooth, all for just $89.99.
The ASUS GeForce RTX 3050 STRIX OC is the flagship RTX 3050 from ASUS. Its large triple-slot, triple-fan cooler ensures amazing temperatures and whisper-quiet noise levels. What makes the card stand out is the biggest factory overclock and highest power limit of all the RTX 3050 cards we review today.
With the GeForce RTX 3050, NVIDIA has released a new card targeted at entry-level gaming, with support for DLSS and ray tracing. Compared to the Radeon RX 6500 XT, the RTX 3050 runs much faster and offers considerably improved RT performance.
Palit's GeForce RTX 3050 StormX OC is a highly compact RTX 3050 variant that's only 17 cm long, so it'll fit into a lot of ITX cases. Despite the compact looks, the card still offers a small factory overclock, and achieves very low temperatures with good overclocking potential.
Gigabyte's GeForce RTX 3050 comes with a medium-sized overclock paired with a large triple-fan, dual-slot thermal solution that achieves good temperatures and lets some airflow through the card. Unlike many other RTX 3050s, Gigabyte includes a metal backplate with their card for added protection.
Core i3-12100F is the most affordable quad-core Alder Lake CPU from Intel. In our review, we test with DDR4 and DDR5 to see whether it has what it takes to build a lean work PC or cost-efficient gaming machine. Thanks to BCLK overclocking, we even managed to overclock it to 5.2 GHz all-core.
If you have no idea what a Boba switch is or how a Bobagum differs from a Boba U4T, then you are in the right place! Join me as we go about building more keyboards using a combination of four different Gazzew switches, a new 65% kit from MARVODIY, and a plant-themed PBT keycap set.
Mangird is now XENNS, and builds upon its impressive Tea IEMs with the newer XENNS UP. It is a tribrid set employing seven drivers for a promised extended frequency response coupled with audiophile tuning and technicalities, as well as individually hand-painted face plates that make for a unique set each time.
DeepCool looks to assert dominance with its latest dual-tower air cooler, the AK620. Featuring an accommodating height of just 160 mm, it fits where other large coolers won't—all while packing serious performance with clean and stylish looks.
The DeepCool PQ1000M is a decent recommendation, based on a Seasonic design, pairing high capacity with low-noise operation. However, its strongest competitor is the Corsair RM1000x, which costs less and performs better due to its modern CWT platform.
The Strix Impact II has been among ASUS's most successful releases in recent times. Accordingly, ASUS refreshes this ambidextrous model once again as part of their Moonlight White product line. In this review, we'll find out what has changed and whether the Strix Impact II is still a worthwhile purchase.
FiiO, via its sub-brand Jade Audio, has released a wallet-friendly set of well-tuned IEMs to appeal to entry-level music lovers worldwide. The JD3 uses a custom 9.2 mm dynamic driver paired with a semi-open acoustic chamber and an all-steel unibody construction for improved build quality, and throws in an integrated microphone with line controls for a great price!
The Sapphire Radeon RX 6500 XT Pulse comes with super impressive noise levels. Even when fully loaded does it run whisper-quiet in an already quiet room. If you put it into a case, it'll be inaudible. Unfortunately, the card is held back by its small VRAM size of 4 GB and the narrow PCIe x4 interface.
The INNOCN 27C1U is a sleek 27-inch 4K IPS monitor offering excellent ergonomics and versatile connectivity options. It is equipped with a Gravity Sensor that rotates the image when the screen is pivoted, and has a 65-watt USB-C PD port.
MSI adds to its ever-growing keyboard lineup with a new low-profile entry. The new Vigor GK50 Low Profile TKL complements the previously released full-size version by using Kailh Choc low-profile switches and a thin case design, and doubles up on portability with a detachable cable and drawstring carry case.
The new AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT we review today is the world's first graphics card using a 6 nanometer GPU. With just 100 W during gaming, the RX 6500 XT is very gentle in its power requirements, but also held back by the 4 GB VRAM size and PCI-Express 4.0 x4 interface.
The AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT comes with only a narrow PCI-Express x4 interface. In this article, we took a closer look at how performance is affected when running at PCI-Express 3.0; also included is a full set of data for the academically interesting setting of PCI-Express 2.0.
The Intel Core i5-12400F comes at an extremely attractive price point, yet offers performance comparable to AMD's Ryzen 5 5600X. While Intel introduced a Hybrid core design with Alder Lake, the 12400F is a P-core only design, which helps avoid potential compatibility issues with E-cores.
Jelly Key is back at it with another new artisan keycap series! This time, the Koi fish in the popular Zen Pond theme make a comeback, but with more details and complexities. The Eden effect has been revamped with three vibrant colors, and the fish models also get placed in multiple depth stacks to make for a more realistic art scene on your keyboard.
God of War recently released on PC with support for NVIDIA's Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS) and AMD's FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR). In this mini-review, we take a look at and compare the image quality and performance offered by these technologies in this game.
Gamesense is a new name on the mouse market. Their first release, the Zowie S2-inspired Meta, checks all the boxes: PixArt PMW3360 sensor, 64 g weight without holes, Kailh GM 4.0 switches for the main buttons, pure PTFE feet, and a highly flexible cable.
At just $120 for 1 TB, the ADATA XPG Atom 50 is one of the most affordable PCIe 4.0 M.2 NVMe SSDs out there. In our review, we found that it still offers incredible performance that rivals the Samsung 980 Pro and WD Black SN850 at much better pricing. Thermals are great, too, as there's no throttling, no matter what you throw at it.
MSI and EKWB have teamed up to bring the well-received MPG Z690 Carbon WiFi to the next level. Featuring an EK-Quantum Matrix7 monoblock, we will get up close and personal to find out what the MSI MPG Z690 Carbon EK X has to offer.
If you need a PSU with high build quality and don't care about the semi-modular cable design, or top-performance in all areas, the TX750M fits the bill. It uses better parts than the RM750 and is sold at about the same price. However, the RM750 provides notably higher overall performance, and all of its cables are fully modular.
Padmate is an audio brand with plenty of experience and resources backing it. It has successfully used crowdfunding for its TWS products, and we now get to examine the PaMu Z1 aiming to offer a good balance of aesthetics, technology, and sound signature at an affordable price.
XPG has partnered with ASUS to bring the well-reviewed SPECTRIX line back into the spotlight with a twist. This time, the memory is certified for Intel ASUS ROG-based motherboards. Rated for 3600 MT/s, we will be looking at exactly what this partnership means and how it could benefit you, the consumer!
The INNOCN Portable Monitor N2F is a compact 15.6-inch portable IPS monitor. No larger than a tablet, it has a smart protective cover that doubles as its stand, as well as USB-C and HDMI connectivity.
The Team Group T-Force M200 is a high-end portable solid-state drive that uses the blazing-fast USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 interface to reach transfer rates of up to 20 Gbit/s. Team Group combined metal and plastic to create a rugged industrial design inspired by the M200 sniper rifle ammo cartridge.
With the right-handed ergonomic Prime Wireless, SteelSeries presents their wireless flagship: TrueMove Air sensor, 80 g lightweight design, opto-magnetic main button switches, and over 100 hours of battery life.
TOPPING is a brand famous for its desktop DACs and amplifiers, and we take a look at its recently released E50 DAC and L50 amplifier. The two stacked up make for an excellent value proposition with sensitive IEMs and power-hungry headphones alike, and even work as a preamp for powered desktop speakers.
If you don't want to pay considerably more to get a Corsair, Seasonic, or Cooler Master PSU of similar capacity, the Steampunk 850 W is a very good choice at $90, especially if 1st Player keeps using the Japanese caps on the secondary side, which are difficult to find nowadays.
While not a massive upgrade to its predecessor, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 is quite possibly the best compact soundbar currently on the market not only because of its performance, but also the way it seamlessly transforms from a soundbar into an awesome smart speaker.
With the Krypton 750, Genesis presents an alternative to the Razer Viper Mini. Coming in at 60 g by default, the Krypton 750 features a weight-adjustment system, swappable back covers, paracord-like braided cable, main button switches rated for 50 million clicks, and is powered by PixArt's PAW3333 sensor.
NVIDIA stealth-launched the GeForce RTX 2060 12 GB last month. We bought a card in retail, so we can find out how much of a difference doubling the VRAM from 6 GB to 12 GB makes, and how much of the performance gains can be attributed to the increased GPU core counts.
The Seasonic Prime Fanless 700 W certainly isn't cheap, priced at $265, but offers the unique capability of a completely noise-free operation thanks to a passive design. With over 93% efficiency, it is among the best we've ever seen, but there are also some issues.
FiiO partnered with Crinacle for a re-tuned version of the popular FH3 triple-driver hybrid IEMs. The FiiO x Crinacle FHE:Eclipse is a bass-emphasized set with better in-ear resonance compensation, extended treble response, and the goal to be a fun, energetic set with a niche separate from balanced IEMs in the sub-$200 market segment.
Gigabyte is packing heat with the Z690 Aorus Master. This motherboard is designed for Intel's 12th Gen Core and boasts a massive 20-phase VRM using 105 A power stages. Built for connectivity, the Z690 Aorus Master has features like PCIe 5.0, DDR5, Wi-Fi 6E, 10 GbE LAN, and five M.2 sockets to round out the experience!
The Kingston NV1 is the company's most affordable M.2 NVMe SSD. Priced at just $85 for the 1 TB version, it offers a tremendous value proposition. Performance numbers in our review of the Kingston NV1 are disappointing though, but the attractive pricing will still make it an option for many.
The Redragon K599 Deimos takes a 65% form factor as the base and extends it to allow for 70 keys and increased keycap compatibility in a small footprint. It also provides onboard and software customization in addition to 2.4 GHz wireless connectivity and long battery life, paired with plenty of RGB lighting.
Compared to the regular Prime, the Prime+ features two notable additions: A secondary lift-off sensor allowing for more granular lift-off distance adjustment, and an OLED screen that allows one to configure CPI, polling rate, and RGB on the fly.
Tronsmart aims to one-up the true wireless world with its Apollo Air+ earbuds that use a large 10 mm dynamic driver. It is paired with a premium Qualcomm QCC3046 chipset supporting Bluetooth 5.2, aptX adaptive, and hybrid noise cancelation.
addlink is a fairly young player in the DRAM market, but their Spider X4 line of memory looks very promising. Today we're reviewing the DDR4-3600 version, which sits at the sweet spot between price and performance and has tons of OC potential in it. Priced at $85 for the 16 GB kit it's super affordable, too.
Silverstone decides the realm of M.2 SSD enclosures could use a shake-up, especially as PCIe Gen 4 SSDs run fairly warm and come with pre-installed heatsinks. The TS16 external docking station employs an open layout to fit such NVME or SATA M.2 SSDs for fast desktop add-on storage over a USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C connector.
The InWin P125 isn't bad or even mediocre, but needs more to compete in this tough category. It needs better transient response and over temperature protection, and a more relaxed fan-speed profile would also be an excellent addition.
DUNU unleashes its improved ECLIPSƎ dynamic driver platform with the new ZEN PRO using an all-metal dome paired with >1.8 T flux magnets for a punchy and satisfying bass response. It also boasts better treble extension and a more balanced tuning than its predecessor, and comes with a cable you need to see to believe!
The Neo Forza NFP455 is the company's first PCI-Express 4.0 SSD. The combination of Innogrit IG5236 controller, 128-layer YMTC flash, and fast 3200 MHz DRAM achieves excellent benchmark results. What's even more impressive is pricing. At $295, it's one of the most affordable 2 TB high-performance PCIe 4.0 SSDs out there.
Arctic looks to dominate with the Liquid Freezer II 280 A-RGB. This 280 mm all-in-one liquid cooler boasts exceptional performance, a six year warranty, and an affordable price, making it a clear winner in a cut-throat market with no shortage of competitors.
XPG makes a comeback to our keyboard review database with the budget-friendly XPG MAGE. It is a sub-$100 mechanical keyboard with plenty of features to interest users, including software and onboard customization, macro editing, 16.8 M RGB lighting, and an aluminium frame.
Much like the rest of the Prime line-up, the right-handed ergonomic SteelSeries Prime comes with new opto-magnetic main button switches, along with a 69 g lightweight design without holes, the TrueMove Pro sensor, and a flexible, detachable cable.
The Viotek GFV27DAB is a 27-inch gaming monitor with a native 165 Hz VA panel sporting a 2560x1440 native resolution. With a price tag of $250, it's one of the least expensive monitors of its kind, and as our tests show, it is worth every penny.
While it has almost the same shape and size as the wired R.A.T. 8+ ADV, the wireless R.A.T. DWS promises up to 200 hours of battery life, top-tier tracking thanks to PixArt's PAW3335 sensor, and particularly low-latency main button switches, along with several customization options.
TourBox made a name for itself with the Neo creative controller in 2018 and ramps things up with the all-new TourBox Elite. It is the first Bluetooth creative controller with extensive hardware and software customization via a plethora of buttons, dials, and wheels supported by presets and options for content creators to have a more efficient workflow.
The Lian Li O11 Dynamic Evo is an evolution of the wildly successful O11 Dynamic. While it may look similar and sports a comparable size, there are plenty of tweaks and updates within the Evo that improve over the original on nearly all functional areas.
Halo Infinite is built using a brand-new DirectX 12 engine optimized for the open-world environments of this sixth Halo title. We take a closer look at the visuals delivered and benchmark the game's performance on 27 graphics cards at 1080p Full HD, 1440p, and 4K Ultra HD.
MOONDROP aims to continue its excellent 2021 run with its new entry to the TWS market—the MOONDROP Sparks. Priced at under $100 and available in three different colors/designs, let's find out if the company's VDSF tuning works well here, too.
Cooler Master's MasterLiquid PL240 Flux is the newest addition to their all-in-one liquid cooler lineup. With clean looks, ARGB lighting, and a solid warranty, it hits many of the right notes, but its price tag may be its Achilles heel.
The Wemax Go Pro is an ultra-thin, battery-packing ALDP 1080p projector, which makes for a uniquely portable unit worth a closer look. With its solid brightness and low-noise output, it could be a good choice for those wanting a big and beautiful display when on the move.
SilentiumPC looks to build on its recent successes with the new and improved Fortis 5 series of coolers. Bigger and bolder and with improved mounting hardware, the Fortis 5 series delivers solid performance without excessive noise while staying true to its value-oriented roots.
The WD Blue SN570 is priced extremely competitively at only $90 for the 1 TB version. While pricing suggests "entry-level," the drive is actually the second-fastest PCIe 3.0 SSD we ever tested, faster than the Kingston KC2500, ADATA SX8200 Pro, and HP EX950.
Horizon Zero Dawn has been updated to support NVIDIA Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS) and AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR). In this mini-review, we take a look and compare the image quality and performance offered by both solutions.
JDS Labs is back at it, and today we examine its most popular line of products. The new Atom DAC+ and Amp+ add handy features and updates both inside and out to make for an excellent, affordable, acoustically transparent source stack that meets the needs of pretty much every consumer today!
MSI brings the MPG Carbon line to the Intel Z690 chipset with Gen5 PCIe slots and DDR5 support. Along with debuting new features on the LGA1700 socket, this motherboard has dual 8-pin EPS, reinforced Steel Armor PCIe slots, five M.2 sockets, Mythic Lighting, and Wi-Fi 6E.
We test Intel's Core i9-12900K at various TDP levels all the way down to 50 W to determine how much efficiency is really in the new Alder Lake core, and how these power limits affect performance. Competing with the efficiency of AMD's Zen 3 Ryzen lineup is just two settings changes away.
Peacock Audio holds true to the name with its latest hand-painted and colorful set of true wireless earphones called the Peacock Flight. Currently on discount for Kickstarter backers, it is available in five bold colors and emphasizes portability courtesy its small yet feature-rich case and design.
The SilverStone Alta F1 with its all-aluminium exterior looks sleek and has a layout that goes beyond the 90° rotated body of the frame. Including three Air Penetrator fans in the floor and the ability install a 360 radiator in the ceiling, the Alta F1 makes for a potent chassis that looks extremely stylish to boot.
PowerColor joins the competitive mechanical keyboard market with the PowerColor x Ducky One 2 SF. It is a take on Ducky's popular 65% keyboard with a two-tone black and red case to go with a new keycap set and retains the doubleshot PBT construction and 16.8 M per-key RGB backlighting.
The Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus uses the famous Phison E18 controller. In our real-life testing, it achieves a top score, almost matching the Samsung 980 Pro and WD Black SN850 at better pricing. We also tested the Sabrent PlayStation 5 heatsink, which is custom-shaped to fit the opening in the PS5 for maximized heat transfer.
For a mere $60, the Movo UM300, a compact USB condenser microphone, offers USB-C connectivity for computers, Android smartphones, and other USB-C recorders, along with two polar patterns, a direct monitoring port, and multipurpose volume knob. What corners have been cut to keep its price so low?
Mistel continues using its own custom keycap sets on a new form factor, and the Q75 is a compact 83-key, 75% keyboard supporting multiple languages and typing layouts. It adds 2.4 GHz wireless connectivity on top of good build quality and programmability, as well as two color options.
The ASUS ROG Cetra II Core is a $90 in-ear gaming headset equipped with an in-line remote control with a built-in microphone, and am impressive bundle of supplied accessories. If you're a true bass head, this is a product you must consider.
While sharing a lot of features with its wired sibling, the right-handed ergonomic Sabre Wireless also introduces several new ones: Corsair's custom 26,000 CPI Marksman sensor, 2000 Hz wireless polling, and triple connectivity including Bluetooth, allowing for up 90 hours of battery life, all wrapped into a 79 g lightweight package.
ICARUS recently released with support for NVIDIA's Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS) and AMD's FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR). In this mini-review, we take a look at and compare the image quality and performance offered by these technologies in this game.
The HELA 2050 has enough output power to start a truck and comes with a 12-pin PCIe connector for support of the next-generation graphics cards releasing in 2022. Currently, it is the strongest desktop PSU money can buy, and build quality is also topnotch. However, it is priced accordingly.
Technics is a long-established audio brand under Panasonic, famous for lots of old-school tech, including record players and passive speakers. Today, we examine how competitive it is in the new norm of TWS earphones, with its current flagship AZ70 promising hybrid noise cancellation, large 10 mm graphene-coated drivers, and audiophile tuning.
The XPG Starker Air is a compact ATX chassis with a magnetic metal front cover and a bit of added height for ceiling-based liquid cooling. Available in black or white, the XPG Starker Air takes the original and improves on it with better airflow while retaining all other attributes, including the MSRP.
In this article, we test 50 games on NVIDIA's GeForce RTX 3070 Ti and compare the FPS results with those of AMD's Radeon RX 6800 to determine which card offers the best performance. We also dig slightly deeper and look at more specific scenarios, like "only DirectX 11" or "titles released in 2020."
Farming Simulator 22 has support for NVIDIA's Deep Learning Anti-Aliasing (DLAA), NVIDIA's Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS), and AMD's FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR). In this mini-review, we take a look at and compare the image quality and performance offered by these technologies.
Are you ready for a challenge? Neo Forza has released a dual-rank kit that is pushing the limits of what is possible with DDR4. If you want the best DDR4 has to offer, come check out the overclocking results and see if you have what it takes to run these in your system!
The SilverStone Hydrogon D120 ARGB is a compact middle-of-the-pack dual-tower cooler with some exciting features, such as its zero-RPM fan mode, ARGB lighting, and top-tier AMD mounting solution. This jack of all trades but master of none is an interesting user-friendly solution with acceptable performance and some visual flair.
In this article, we take a closer look at the performance scaling you can expect for various DDR5 configurations. We test from DDR5-6000 all the way down to DDR5-2400 and compare CL30 vs. CL36 vs. CL40. Last but not least, we also consider these numbers in relation to what DDR4-3600 offers.
