We need more power! 1350W of pure Enermax coming up.

Subject: Cases and Cooling | May 26, 2011 - 01:43 PM |
Tagged: kilowatt, enermax, Enermax MaxRevo, 1350W

It is rather impressive that Enermax has managed to make a 1350W PSU that does not require a 240V plug, thanks to their FMQ transformer and use of copper interconnects instead of wires which Enermax refers to as a Copper-Bridge Array.  They've gone a different way from previous models and their competitors, splitting the 12V rail into six 30A rails which will still ensure multiple GPU systems can perform stably. Drop by [H]ard|OCP to see if this PSU can live up to its advertised power levels.

H_enermax1350.jpg

"Enermax has long been a favorite of ours when it comes to power supplies for heavy hitter enthusiasts pushing huge system wattage loads. Today it is launching a new flagship product that comes to up touting a huge 1350 watt usage rating. Does Enermax continue its top shelf legacy?"

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Source: [H]ard|OCP

Fancy a silent PC case with no work involved? The HDPLEX H3.SODD is for you

Subject: Cases and Cooling | May 24, 2011 - 04:17 PM |
Tagged: HDPLEX, silent, mITX

 Silent PC Review just met it's first so called 'silent' case that actually lives up to the name without needing user modification.  The HDPLEX H3.SODD is an mITX case which looks like a home theatre component or a fancy rack-mount case.  The inputs and outputs are hidden nicely as are the power button and slim DVD eject port.  The design should be cool enough to handle a CPU of about 85W TDP, the i3-2120 SPCR used had no problems which lead them to make that estimate on the cooling power. It is a little more expensive than some cases, coming in over $200, in this case it does seem you get what you pay for.

SPCR_hdsodd03.jpg

"The new H3.SODD media case for mini-ITX from HDPLEX is a more compact version of the H10 we examined a couple of months ago. This slim-line case performances and exudes high end chic despite its modest price tag. Our sample also manages to be the very first completely silent commercial computer SPCR has encountered after nine years of continuous operation."

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Corsair Hydro H80 and H100 Water Coolers On The Horizon

Subject: Cases and Cooling | May 22, 2011 - 11:50 PM |
Tagged: hydro, h80, h100, corsair

Corsair's Hydro H70 has been their top of the line sealed-loop water cooler for some time now.  While it can be great for overclockers on a budget and enthusiasts who do not feel comfortable mounting a  heavy air cooler on their motherboards, it has not been able to match the cooling performance of self assembled water loops.  Corsair may be looking to change this, as Sweclockers found two new sealed-loop H80 and H100 Hydro series coolers posted on a Swedish online store.  Tech Power Up reports that the H80 is listed for $154 USD, while the H100 is listed for $172.50 USD (converted from Swedish Krona).

H100.PNG

The H80 looks very similar to the H70, with a few small tweaks on the CPU water block.  The block appears to be thicker than that of the H70, which may indicate a higher flow pump.  A control knob is also present on top of the water block, which may control the amount of water the pump pushes.  The H100, on the other hand starts to look less like the current Hyrdo series coolers and more like a traditional water loop with its double 120mm radiator.  The H100 further has a the same control knob as the H80.  While the H80 has a lot to prove as a single radiator cooler versus its H70 predecessor, depending on the street price the new additions to the Hydro series should help fill in the performance gap between the H70 and a full DIY water loop.

With great power comes great efficiency; the OCZ ZX Series

Subject: Cases and Cooling | May 18, 2011 - 06:18 PM |
Tagged: PSU, OCZ ZX Series, ocz, modular psu, 850W

OCZ's ZX series sport an 80+ Gold certification, making them the most power efficient of their lineups and very important when you are talking about an 850W PSU.  A 70A max single 12V rail for the four PCIe connectors is the stat most gamers want to know and the 140mm fan is important to those wanting a peaceful computing session.  What was most important to Think Computers about the 850W ZX Series PSU?  Read on to find out.

TC_OCZ-ZX850.jpg

“OCZ has recently released its latest power supply offering in the ZX Series of power supplies. These power supplies effectively replace the Z Series power supplies in the Maximum Performance sector and off an 80 PLUS gold certification, a single +12V rail, modular design and an impressive 5 year warranty. 80 PLUS gold certification means this power supply will run 87% efficient at 100% load. 80 PLUS gold is the second highest certification given to power supplies only out-done by the 80 PLUS Platinum certification. Today we will be taking a look at the 850W version of the ZX Series power supply"

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Condensation is your enemy when you switch to extreme cooling

Subject: Cases and Cooling | May 18, 2011 - 12:50 PM |
Tagged: phase change, cooling

You may have noticed that extreme overclockers, like those at MSI's Master Overclocking Event in Las Vegas, spend a goodly amount of time trying to insulate their components against condensation that forms when your CPU or GPUs temperature drops well below 0C.  NinjaLane has posted an article that shares the basic ideas about protecting your components from frost, though in their case it is a liquid cooling setup with a phase change device in place of a radiator.  If -20C isn't cool enough for you they also advise you what changes to make for an LN setup.

NJL_frost_patch.jpg

"Any time you expose the atmosphere to something cold you run the risk that water in the air will begin to condense. Common forms of condensation would be an icy windshield, water on a cold can of Pepsi, and even the frost in your freezer. The only way to prevent condensation is to insulate against it."

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Source: Ninja Lane

When you need big, think big. The Cubitek HPTX-Tank can handle the biggest systems.

Subject: Cases and Cooling | May 10, 2011 - 03:51 PM |
Tagged: htpx, eatx, enclosure, cubitek, tank

The aptly named Cubitek HPTX-Tank is a whopping 230 x 600 x 610mm (9" x 23.6" x 24") and is specifically designed to hold the largest of system components, such as HPTX, EATX and CEB form factor motherboards.  You could put an mATX board in the case and probably house a small child in the spare area if you so desired.  It is about half the price of other large sized cases, such as the Lian Li PC-V2120 which will run you about $400 which leaves more budget for your oversized components.  Take a look over at TechPowerUp.

 

TPU_caseside2.jpg

Yes that is a DVD at the bottom.

"Cubitek joins the ranks of Lian Li and Xigmatek with their HPTX-Tank chassis, which is one of three cases on the market capable of holding huge motherboards like the EVGA SR-2. With an unbelievable price tag for an Aluminum chassis, we take a close look to see if it manages to redefine the price / performance segment for such enclosures."

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Source: TechPowerUp

Thermaltake Releases New Mid-Tower Armor+ MX Case

Subject: Cases and Cooling | May 9, 2011 - 01:57 PM |
Tagged: thermaltake, mid tower, case

Thermaltake has a successful line of tower cases for DIY enthusiasts dubbed the Armor Plus series. Recently, they have decided to expand the Armor+ lineup by adding a new mid-tower sized case, the Armor+MX.

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First showcased at CES 2008 in Las Vegas, the high performance mid tower case is now available for worldwide distribution.  With an MSRP of $139 USD the case is packed with features, including:

  • Convertible top for refilling coolant of a water cooling loop
  • Tool-less hard drive, optical drive, and PCI bracket installation.
  • 4x removeable 3.5" hard drive trays
  • 5x 5.25" optical drive bays
  • 7x PCI Expansion slots
  • 1x 230mm case fan in side window
  • 1x 120mm intake case fan (blue LED)
  • 1x 120mm rear exhaust fan

Thermaltake further claims that the case's design allows for superior cable management allowing consumers to maximize airflow and reduce cable clutter around important components.  David Hwang, the President of Thermaltake states that the Armor+ MX chasis embodies the high performance characteristics previously only found in full tower cases.  "With the introduction of Armor+ MX, the versatility and performance characteristics can now be found in a much smaller and manageable package."

Source: Thermaltake

The new low cost lineup from Enermax, is the NAXN series deserving of the name?

Subject: Cases and Cooling | May 9, 2011 - 12:14 PM |
Tagged: enermax, PSU, naxn, sirfa

Enermax has a solid reputation in the industry, stemming from their use of quality parts on the interior which do raise the cost of the units somewhat but raise the quality significantly.  Their new NAXN 750W goes a different way, choosing components that have been on the market a while and therefore cost a little less.  [H]ard|OCP's testing was influenced by their recent review of the Enermax Lepa 750W PSU which had decent performance but was priced too high when compared to competitors offerings.  The NAXN sacrifices a bit of energy efficiency when compared to the Lepa and higher priced PSUs but sacrifices nothing on quality.

H_NAXN750.jpg

"Enermax has been a long time favorite of ours when it comes to PSUs. High quality builds that put out great power. Today we have its new NAXN 750 watt model; the first new model we have seen since Ecomaster took over the business. We are still not sure where this fits into the Enermax / Ecomaster product stack."

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Source: [H]ard|OCP

Coolers of the Gods; Loki, Gaia and Aegir

Subject: Cases and Cooling | May 6, 2011 - 02:46 PM |
Tagged: heatsink, xigmatek, cooler

Loki, Gaia and Aegir are all from Nordic mythology but are also now found in PC Cases as well as in Valhalla.  Loki and Gaia can be had for around $30 while the Aegir comes at twice the price and the sizes range as well from the diminutive 330g Loki to the 670g Aegir but all are 159mm tall or less.  Legit Reveiws proclaimed that they are all great values, each with their own traget system.

LR_xigmatek_round_up_010.jpg

"The Aegir is Xigmatek’s high-end offering, and it carries a high end price. Coming in at $59.99 shipped it is not the most expensive cooler we have ever tested but it performed nicely. Coming near the top of the charts throughout most of the testing the Aegir was on par with coolers that cost $20 to $30 more. The fan for the Aegir was nice as well. At 100% speed the fan is quiet. It was hard to pick out the Aegir’s fan from the Scythe case fans I use in the test system..."

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Stainless Steel Cockroach; the Boogie Bug Dub Style M enclosure

Subject: Cases and Cooling | May 3, 2011 - 03:10 PM |
Tagged: zalman, z-machine, shiny, case, boogie bug, aluminium

The Boogie Bug Dub Style M will take some careful handling if you wish to keep the mirror-like finish of the aluminium exterior spotless.  Doing so will give you a very different looking case from the mainstream as there are not too many choices out there that are this reflective.  The exterior styling was obviously the focus for this case, internally it requires a bit more work to install and tidy than some other cases on the market, but eTechnix was up to the challenge.  Check out this memorable case.

et_boogiebug.JPG

"It's such a tough market at the moment with the big boy market leaders producing very similar products. Most cases of today are aimed at the gamer in mind whereas some are aimed at the consumer with a bit too much money. There are the occasional products that we see that have the unique wow factor and Boogie Bug think they have it bang on the money with their latest offering.

The Boogie Bug M is said to give function with style by letting the Boogie Bug Dub Style team give the Zalman Z-Machine GT1000 a slight makeover by customizing it's looks and features in a hope to appeal to the mass market."

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Source: eTechnix

Corsair is very enthused about the TX750 V2 750W PSU

Subject: Cases and Cooling | April 27, 2011 - 01:58 PM |
Tagged: PSU, corsair, 750w

Just a brief time ago asking if Corsair made power supplies would only get you an odd look in return, but over the past few years they have become quite well known for several lines of quality PSUs.  The newest is Version 2 of their TX750, a PSU that has been around for about 3 years and is in need of updating. [H]ard|OCP was glad to see that this PSU was an improvement from the previous iteration and it handily took a Silver Award from them after passing testing with flying colours.

H_TX750V2.jpg

"Corsair is clearly defining the market for its new "Enthusiast Series" 750 watt power supply. Now that we know who it is for, surely we know what to expect from it right? Corsair has climbed to the top with a few other brands in a short period of time, let's see if "enthusiast" means the same thing to Corsair as it does to us."

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Source: [H]ard|OCP

Small and quiet but still powerful, the Thermolab Trinity heatsink

Subject: Cases and Cooling | April 27, 2011 - 12:51 PM |
Tagged: thermolab, heatsink

Usually when you are picking a heatsink you can only choose two of the three main attributes of cooling ability, noise produced and reasonably small size.  The Thermolab Trinity has found a way for you to avoid having to make that choice.  At 735g and 150mm x 136mm x 85mm it is certainly smaller than a lot of coolers, it's 130mm fan is reasonably quiet and the cooling ability that Legit Reviews saw in their tests is impressive.  Even better at a MRSP of $55 it is worth taking a look at.

 

LR_thermolab_trinity.jpg

"Overall, I am happy with the Thermolab Trinity CPU HSF. The cooler is a solid performer, easy to install, and coming in at the $55 mark, it is easy on the wallet. Thermolab is still new to some enthusiasts; Trinity is their 7th cooler for the enthusiast market, but they are doing well. The Trinity was within 4 degrees of the top coolers throughout most of the testing. Looking at just the air coolers at 4GHz, the Trinity comes in 3rd place, but is less expensive than the two coolers that beat it: the Zalman CNPS9900 Max and the Prolimatech Super Mega..."

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Da red onez go faster! Sentey's big and bright GS-6400R Arvina case

Subject: Cases and Cooling | April 22, 2011 - 03:44 PM |
Tagged: red, full tower

If you want a case that will stand out no matter where you stick it, the Sentey GS-6400R Arvina Extreme Division Computer Case is going to please you.  A screaming bright red exterior, with several LED fans as well and a reflective black interior mark this case as very unique.  Inside you will find strategically placed fans to keep air moving around your GPU and nicely implemented tool-less installation show that this case is not just about looks.  Put on some sunglasses and head over to ProClockers to see this thing!

ProClock_GS6400R_6.jpg

"Sentey is a manufacturer who happens to offer a range of cases aimed at doing just that, winning your choice through design and features. If that name isn't familiar to you however, don't feel bad as they were an unknown to us as well. While they've been in the case scene for awhile now, it was mostly outside North America and less focused on the type of computing enthusiast that me and you are. As of more recently is it that Sentey has decided to expand their horizons, and seem to have made a decent impression in the short time. We have a couple models to show you from them, but today's focus is on their GS-6400R Arvina model, which comes from their Extreme Division line of cases. It offers a bold look, plenty of features and is hoping to win you over by offering them all in one case. So lets find out what it comes packing and if it managed to win us over!"

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Source: ProClockers

It's a rhyming case mod and RAM cooler, check out the Corsair AirFlow Pro

Subject: Cases and Cooling | April 18, 2011 - 02:21 PM |
Tagged: ram, corsair, airflow

If you didn't pick up one of the RAM kits that comes with an active cooler and are looking to not only monitor the temperature of your DIMMs but also get a light show going inside your case then Corsair has a treat for you.  The $54 Corsair AirFlow Pro can do both and you can see it for yourself at Techgage.

corsair_airflow_pro_04_thumb.jpg

"Have a desire to add a bit of 'bling' to your PC, but fear being ridiculed for it? Well, there's no better excuse for bling than with Corsair's AirFlow Pro add-on for the company's AirFlow 2 memory cooler. In addition to offering a hypnotizing light-show, the AirFlow Pro can also keep you informed on your memory's usage and temperatures."

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Source: Techgage

PSU autopsy, examining the internal organs of the power supply

Subject: Cases and Cooling | April 15, 2011 - 12:23 PM |
Tagged: PSU, internals, guts, components

Drop buy TechPowerUp for a dissection of a common PSU for PCs.  The sticker on the side of mosty PSUs warns about opening the casing as there are no "user serviceable parts" inside.  We all know that to be a lie, as long as you let the capacitors bleed out their charge before touching them with anything metal.

TPU_seasonic_X560_top3.jpg

"The objective of this article is to give detailed, but easy to understand information about the most crucial part of a PC system, the Power Supply Unit. Follow us into this journey to the PSU territory and we promise you that you will gain valuable knowledge."

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Source: TechPowerUp

Enforcing cool with CoolerMaster's new Storm enclosure

Subject: Cases and Cooling | April 13, 2011 - 12:38 PM |
Tagged:

The newest member of Cooler Master Storm series of cases is the Enforcer, a mid-tower sized enclosure with a side panel and a relatively neat front panel.  At 229 x 484.5 x 523.5 mm most coolers will be able to fit inside but some of the largest may require you to pop out the window.  Cooling is provided by a 200mm fan and a 120mm fan, with the option to add another of each if necessary and there are grommets for those that prefer water cooling.  Head on over to Overclockers Club to see the case for yourself.

"The rear of the case shows the shortness and stoutness of the case, as it is what I will call "stumpy." This gives the case a low center of gravity and a unique look. There are three 0.5" water cooling grommets at the top of the case above the 120mm exhaust fan. There are seven expansion slots which are located next to another similar vertical slot with a cover held in with a thumb screw. This is the "Storm Guard" slot, which I will show later. The right side of the case shows the uniform, matte black finish that covers all surfaces of the case."

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Antec Launches KÜHLER H2O 920 Maximum-Performance CPU Cooler

Subject: Cases and Cooling | April 12, 2011 - 05:47 PM |
Tagged:

Fremont, CA – April 12, 2011 – In its 25th anniversary year, Antec, Inc., the global leader in high-performance computer components and accessories for the gaming, PC upgrade and Do-It-Yourself markets, today announced the KÜHLER H2O 920 – Antec’s new maximum-performance liquid CPU cooler.

Antec’s KÜHLER H2O 920 offers a sealed liquid CPU cooling solution for PC hardware, overclockers and gaming enthusiasts world-wide, and was developed in conjunction with Asetek (www.asetek.com,) the industry-leading supplier of OEM liquid cooling systems for computers. An advancement of the popular KÜHLER H2O 620, several key upgrades of the KÜHLER H2O 920 enable it to deliver even greater CPU cooling performance in a quick, easy-to-install package that requires zero maintenance and is built to OEM standards for reliability.

Antec’s KÜHLER H2O 920 features a double-thick radiator and two 120 mm fans, as well as interactive fan control via Asetek’s ChillControl software. In addition, the KÜHLER H2O 920 includes the latest-generation low-profile pump for exceptional liquid circulation while preserving internal airflow, easy-bend tubes for maximum flexibility in radiator positioning, a third-generation copper cold plate for optimal conduction and a push-pull configuration for high airflow and maximum CPU heat dissipation.

The KÜHLER H2O 920 utilizes Asetek’s Advanced Fan Control technology (for customized liquid temperature fan control via Asetek’s ChillControl V software) to deliver Antec’s renowned Quiet Computing™ technology for quiet, efficient performance. Additionally, the KÜHLER H2O 920’s dual Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) speed-switchable cooling fans provide finely tuned control delivering high-performance at minimum noise levels.

ChillControl V software, which is exclusive to the KÜHLER H2O 920, provides monitoring and control of liquid temperatures, fan speed, pump speed, sound level, and the ability to customize fan speeds at three levels based on liquid temperature for maximum performance and lowest noise. ChillControl V software also allows users to select and modify the Antec logo color on the pump cap to match system interiors.

“Like the popular KÜHLER H2O 620, the KÜHLER H2O 920 provides the benefits of water cooling in a sealed and prefilled unit, with zero maintenance required,” said Tak Niwa, director BU 1, enclosures and accessories at Antec. “It’s a very powerful and capable solution giving users the freedom to finely tune and customize cooling to fit their needs.”

“Asetek drew on its deep experience with the enthusiast community when developing the new control technologies featured in the Antec KÜHLER H2O 920,” said Steve Branton, director of marketing at Asetek. “Enthusiasts will appreciate the interactive control experience KÜHLER H2O 920 delivers with its combination of excellent performance, liquid temperature fan control and the ChillControl 5 application.”

The KÜHLER H2O 920 high-performance CPU cooler is backed by Antec’s Quality 3-year (AQ3) limited warranty on parts and labor and is available today for pre-order (with free ground shipping) on Antec’s online store (http://store.antec.com) for a price of $119.95. Complete availability of the KÜHLER H2O 920 is slated for the end of April through major retailers, e-tailers and distributors.

To read more visit the official Antec blog post at: http://blog.antec.com/videos/introducing-the-kuhler-h2o-920-cpu-cooler. For an in-depth product overview video be sure to visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgXrxBhrC54.

Source: Antec

Another new comer that is not new, the LEPA 700W PSU

Subject: Cases and Cooling | April 6, 2011 - 06:34 PM |
Tagged:

You are blameless if you've never heard of LEPA before, but that just describes the outside of the box.  Inside the PSU is Enermax, from a new reseller of Enermax called Ecomaster that have called their lineup LEPA.  With that lineage [H]ard|OCP was not going to offer any slack to this PSU; not that they ever go easy on any PSU.  The PSU came out of the torture chamber with a result sheet almost identical to the Enermax MODU87+ 700W, which is to say a definite pass.  The support side, especially the oddly variable warranty length did not nor is [H] quite sure where the 80+ Gold certification came from.

After you've finished with that, Lee has a double header for you with the review of the Corsair Enthusiast TX750 V2 and TX850 V2 PSUs.

"HardOCP is serious when it comes to power supplies, but is LEPA? Given that Ecomaster is now the authorized agent delivering the Enermax and LEPA brands of PSUs, we have high hopes for this new-to-us LEPA branding. Is LEPA part of, "The complete product lines satisfy all players’ ultimate needs?""

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Source: [H]ard|OCP

Thermaltake's Level 10 GT, the only thing missing is the kitchen sink

Subject: Cases and Cooling | April 6, 2011 - 02:02 PM |
Tagged:

The long awaited Thermaltake Level 10GT has arrived after showing up at in its original form at CES 2009 and the look at the new design at CES 2010.  Steve got one in for review and has just posted his findings.  The included extras read like a wish list, from the slightly maligned headset hanger to the 8-pin PCIe extension cord.  He had no problems installing his system and was very impressed with the cases cooling abilities and the overall design.

 

"While we never had the pleasure of doing a hands-on review of the original Level 10 case, we were very excited with all the features Thermaltake emulated from it on the Level 10 GT. We were also highly impressed that Thermaltake was daring enough to try and create a consumer-level case out of the astronomically-priced Level 10 case. The overall design of the Level 10 GT is easily on par with the original Level 10, but Thermaltake included other related features like a hinged side panel door and removable hard drive cages."

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Zalman's 135mm fan can find a home almost anywhere

Subject: Cases and Cooling | April 4, 2011 - 02:35 PM |
Tagged:

After market fans are not something people think about as an upgrade, unless they bought a big heatsink that doesn't come with them or an existing fan takes enough damage to stop working properly.  Those who are shopping for fans tend to be looking for quieter operation, more airflow or both and they should consider the Zalman ZM-F4 135mm multipurpose fan.  Large enough to move air quietly, especially with the silicone mounting pins and built so the screw holes are in the same place they would be on a 120mm fan gives you an extra 1.5cms without extra work.  Check out Legit Reviews results from testing the fan here.

"We've visited similar offerings from Zalman's Computer Noise Prevention System (CNPS) products with the Zalman ZM-F3-FDB & ZM-SF3, along with the CNPS 9900 MAX. We at Legit Reviews have come to respect the Zalman products we have seen since they perform admirably and live up to their claims. Today was no different. Zalman's ZM-F4 Multipurpose Fan was probably one of the best fans I have ever run into. Its sound was as smooth as butter. It outperformed most offerings on the market. It also did so while still remaining quiet and affordable..."

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