Thermaltake Launching Premium Urban S71 Full Tower Chassis

Subject: Cases and Cooling | April 3, 2013 - 02:57 PM | Tim Verry
Tagged: thermaltake, full tower, e-atx, urban s71

Thermaltake recently launched the Urban S71 full tower chassis to round out its Urban line of cases (like its Urban S21 mid-tower). The S71 is constructed of SECC steel, weighs approximately 24 pounds, and measures 21 x 8.4 x 23-inches (534 x 213 x 584mm). The black brushed metal design is aesthetically pleasing and sound dampening foam reduces noise. Thermaltake is offering up two models: the VP500M1W2N with a side panel window and the VP500M1N2N without a window (and with more sound dampening foam).

The Urban S71 chassis features a brushed aluminum front door that conceals three 5.25" bays and one 3.5" drive bay. The top of the case hosts a docking station for a 2.5" or 3.5" hard drive. The top-front of the case includes the following IO options:

• 2 x USB 3.0
• 2 x USB 2.0
• 1 x Mic In
• 1 x Headphone Out
• 1 x Power button (plus LED)
• 1 x Reset button (plus LED)

Pre-installed cooling options include two 200mm fans (at the front and top vents) and one 120mm high speed rear fan. The case includes removable dust filters on the top, front, and bottom vents. There is also room for a fan in bottom of the case, but is not included out of the box.

The interior of Thermaltake's Urban S71 chassis includes support for motherboards up to E-ATX in size and graphics cards up to 344mm in length. Cable routing and water cooling grommets are included on the motherboard tray and rear IO respectively. There are also eight total expansion slots and 6 3.5" drive bays (one externally-accessible). The top case ventilation slot(s) can support up to a 240mm water cooling radiator as well (like the Corsair H100).

In all, the Urban S71 is an impressive case with quite a few useful features. There is no word on pricing or availability yet, however.

NZXT aims a little higher with their Phantom 630

Subject: Cases and Cooling | April 2, 2013 - 06:28 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
Tagged: nzxt, phantom 630

The NZXT Phantom 630 is much more expensive than many of their models, the $180 price tag puts it in contention with many other long standing high end case manufacturers.  This price is justified in many ways, especially the sheer size of the 12.3kg (27.1lb) case which measures 245x627x600mm (9.7x24.7x23.6") and can accept a 170mm tall CPU cooler even with the 200mm side panel case fan installed.  Perhaps not the most unobtrusive of cases but it provides enough elbow width to make installing a system much more comfortable.  It also gives enough space to either set up watercooling or to depend on aircooling as this case accommodates up to four 140 or 120mm fans and four 200mm fans of which three can be swapped for a higher number of 140 or 120mm fans to accommodate radiators with different fan sizes.  Check out the drive capacity and more at [H]ard|OCP.

"NZXT's new enthusiast computer case, the Phantom 630, looks to be truly designed for the computer hardware enthusiast and does not just carry the label like so many other products. NZXT has built the chassis with the end user in mind that wants to take things up a notch and not be annoyed when trying to accomplish his build goals."

Here are some more Cases & Cooling reviews from around the web:

CASES & COOLING

• nWin D-Frame Limited Edition Open-Air Chassis @ Tweaktown
• Fractal Design Define R4 Arctic White Case @ Benchmark Reviews
• Cooler Master HAF XB Chassis @ eTeknix
• Enermax Ostrog GT Chassis @ eTeknix
• In Win GT1 Case Review @ Hi Tech Legion
• Antec GX700 @ Hardware.info
• Fractal Design Define R4 Review @ Hardware Canucks
• In Win BP655 Chasis @ LanOC Reviews
• Azza Silentium 920 Case Review @ Hi Tech Legion

  ---

• Compact Liquid Cooling Systems Roundup. Part II: Front Runners @ X-bit Labs
• Cooler Master Seidon 120XL @ techPowerUp
• Gelid Slim 12 UV and PL Blue 120mm Fan @ eTeknix
• Xigmatek XAF Series F1255 120mm Fan @eTeknix
• Phanteks PH-TC12DX @ Kitguru
• DeepCool Neptwin Heatsink Review @ Frostytech
• Phanteks PH-TC14PE & PH-TC12DX CPU Coolers Review @ Hardware Canucks
• Phanteks PH-TC12DX @ Funky Kit
• Zalman FX100 review: passive Ivy Bridge CPU cooler@ Hardware.info
• Noctua NH-L9i Low Profile @ Modders-Inc
• Thermalright True Spirit 120M CPU Cooler Review @ Madshrimps
• Evercool Venti HPQ-12025 @ Funky Kit
• DeepCool Frostwin Heatsink Review @ Frostytech
• Gelid The Black Edition CPU Cooler Review @ Hardware Secrets

Impactics Launches Passive D1NU NUC Chassis In Europe

Subject: Cases and Cooling | March 31, 2013 - 04:17 AM | Tim Verry
Tagged: nuc, Intel, impactics, europe, d1nu

Impactics is the latest company to launch its own small form factor case for Intel's Next Unit of Computing (NUC) platform. More heatsink than chassis, the new D1NU chassis sandwiches an Intel NUC motherboard and other internals between two aluminum fin heatsinks. The D1NU measures 170 x 114 x 67mm and weighs 1380g.

The D1NU supports Intel's D33217GKE and DCP847SKE motherboards. The motherboard and other components are attached to a solid piece of precision milled 99.99% electrolytic copper (220g), and then to an aluminum heatsink. 

The case seals the components between a top and bottom heatsink and then a 4mm aluminum front bezel and a rear chromium steel bezel with EM shield. The D1NU case/heatsink supports a 25W TDP, and has an MSRP of 99 euros. The front bezel hosts a power button with blue LED and space for a single USB port. The rear of the case can support the outputs of either Intel's Golden Lake or Ski Lake boards. A VESA mount is also in the works. The D1NU comes in silver or black.

According to Fanless Tech, the passive NUC case is now available in Europe for €100 Euros from Case King or £87 pounds from Systo.co.uk. No word yet on whether it will show up on this side of the pond, but (although it is a bit pricey) it is certainly a cool NUC heatsink/case (heh)!

XFX claims there is something different about their ProSeries 650W

Subject: Cases and Cooling | March 27, 2013 - 03:17 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
Tagged: xfx, PSU, ProSeries 650W

The XFX ProSeries 650W PSU is mostly modular, with only the ATX connector attached, has a 135mm cooling fan and can send 98% of its total wattage to the single 53A 12V rail.  With four 6+2 PCIe power connectors you will be able to handle multiple GPUs and the 8 SATA connectors should allow you as many storage devices as you need.  Unfortunately [H]ard|OCP discovered something about the 5 year warranty which greatly displeased them; unless you register your PSU within 30 days of purchase, you only receive a 2 year warranty.  If you are strictly concerned about the quality of the power this PSU delivers and are ambivalent towards the warranty, this PSU passed [H]'s torture tests handily which is something not every PSU can claim.

"XFX has long and actually very solid history of producing high quality enthusiast power supplies. We have consistently found XFX PSUs worthy of [H] Editor's Choice Awards. Today the XFX ProSeries 650W promises "One Rail, One Setup" in a PSU that is different. Let's see if that is good or bad."

Here are some more Cases & Cooling reviews from around the web:

CASES & COOLING

• Cooler Master Silent Pro M2 1000W PSU Review @ Hi Tech Legion
• NZXT Hale 90 V2 1000 Watt Power Supply @ Modders-Inc
• Zalman ZM500-GS / ZM500-GT PSU @ Hardware.info
• Cougar PowerX 550 W @ techPowerUp
• Cougar PowerX 550W Power Supply Unit Review @ NikKTech
• Fractal Design Newton R3 800 W Power Supply Review @ Hardware Secrets
• SilverStone Strider Plus 600 W (ST60F-PS) Power Supply Review @ Hardware Secrets
• Enermax Triathlor FC 550 W @ techPowerUp
• Thermaltake Toughpower Grand Platinum 700-Watt 80 PLUS Platinum @ Tweaktown
• AZZA Platinum 1000-Watt 80 PLUS Platinum @ Tweaktown
• Silverstone Zeus 1350-Watt 80 PLUS @ Tweaktown
• NZXT HALE90 V2 850 W Power Supply Review @ Hardware Secrets
• Antec High Current Pro Platinum 1000W Power Supply Unit Review @ NikKTech
• Thermaltake Dr.Power II ATX Power Supply Tester @ Modders-Inc
• Cooler Master 120W NA 120 Universal AC Adapter Review @ Hi Tech Legion
• eXtreme Power Supply Calculator Update

At the G Institute, PC Gaming is Logitech's Pursuit

Subject: General Tech, Cases and Cooling, Shows and Expos | March 21, 2013 - 03:23 PM | Scott Michaud
Tagged: PAX East 2013, PAX East, PAX, logitech

Despite recent incidents with a genetic lifeform and disk operating system, we PC gamers love our science. Yesterday, Logitech claims they renewed their commitment to both PC gaming and science just in time for PAX East 2013.

Let us just hope the pi's not a lie. Hehehe, that rhymes.

While the commercial looks and sounds like the "G" stands for "Gatorade", it really beckons the launch of eight new accessory products: four new mice, two new keyboards, and two new headsets.

• Logitech G700s Rechargeable Gaming Mouse
  • Wireless
  • 13 programmable controls
• Logitech G500s Laser Gaming Mouse
  • Weight/balance adjustments
  • Dual-mode scroll wheel
• Logitech G400s Optical Gaming Mouse
  • "Delta Zero" sensor technology
  • 8 programmable controls
• Logitech G100s Optical Gaming Mouse
  • "Delta Zero" sensor technology
• Logitech G19s Gaming Keyboard
  • Full-Color LCD
  • Custom backlighting
  • 12 programmable "G-keys"
• Logitech G510s Gaming Keyboard
  • Standard LCD
  • Custom backlighting
  • 18 programmable "G-keys"
• Logitech G430 Surround Sound Gaming Headset
  • 7.1 surround sound
• Logitech G230 Stereo Gaming Headset
  • 40mm drivers
  • 3.5mm stereo audio and mic

Check in after the break for the official press blast.

Two Upcoming SFF Cases From Akasa Spotted Before The Official Computex Launch

Subject: General Tech, Cases and Cooling | March 21, 2013 - 01:52 PM | Tim Verry
Tagged: galileo, newton, akasa, nuc, case, thin mini-itx

FanlessTech recently spotted two new fan-less and small form factor cases from Akasa ahead of the official launch. The Akasa Galileo and Akasa Newton are compatible with thin Mini-ITX and Intel's Next Unit of Computing (NUC) motherboards respectively.

Both cases are constructed of aluminum, have VESA mounting holes, and double as a fan-less heatsink for your components. The Galileo is 37mm thick and can cool processors rated up to a 35W TDP. The Newton is a small case with fins around the sides to increase surface area (for better cooling capability), and aesthetic flair.

According to Fanless Tech, the two PC cases will be officially unveiled at Computex in Taipei, Taiwan this summer. There is no word on pricing or when they will be available for purchase, however.

Annealed Pyrolytic Graphite, your next exotic cooling solution

Subject: Cases and Cooling | March 20, 2013 - 04:02 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
Tagged: annealed pyrolytic graphite, cooling, exotic materials, thermal paste

Efficient cooling has always and will always be a limiter on the power of processors, especially as the processes used shrink and transistor density increases.  Over the years we have seen heatpipes become common and watercooling move into the mainstream with the advent of all-in-one coolers.  Thermal interface material has not changed much, even though we have heard of many developments nothing has been released to market.  Carbon black proved to be too long in development and might be replaced by nanotube forests though there is do it yourself thermal paste doped with diamonds that you can make right now.

From there we saw a project doping thermal paste with graphene, which could provide conductivity of up to 600 W/mK once it becomes available, hopefully in sheet form for easy installation.  Increasing the thermal conductivity of your TIM is a good thing, assuming that the heatsink absorbing the heat can keep up with the transfer which is what makes the news out of FrostyTech so interesting.  Researchers are sandwiching a material they call K-Core Annealed Pyrolytic Graphite in between layers of aluminium and other metals to create a heatsink with a thermal conductivity of up to 1092W/mK in certain situations.  It is not as simple as doping a heatsink with this new material though, it is only efficient at moving heat horizontally. Read on to find out more at FrostyTech.

"When the thermal conductivity of copper and aluminum heat spreaders just won't cut it, the future revolves around a material called Annealed Pyrolytic Graphite. Let's consider the numbers: where a solid aluminum heat spreader has a thermal conductivity of 126W/mK, the same heatspreader with an Annealed Pyrolytic Graphite core would see thermal conductivity on the order of 1092 W/mK. That's not a typo."

Here are some more Cases & Cooling reviews from around the web:

CASES & COOLING

• Zalman FX100 CPU Cooler Review @ Hardware Secrets
• Noctua NH-L9i Review @ HCW
• Thermalright Silver Arrow SB-E Special Edition @ Kitguru
• Prolimatech Megahalems Red Series CPU Cooler Review @ Hardware Secrets
• Noctua NH-L12 @ techPowerUp
• DeepCool IceBlade Pro V2.0 Heatsink Review @ Frostytech
• Scythe Kabuto II CPU Cooler Review @ Hardware Secrets

  ---

• Enermax ELC 240 Liquid CPU Cooler @ eTeknix
• Corsair Hydro Series H110 Liquid CPU Cooler @ eTeknix
• Corsair Hydro Series H110 Review @ OCC
• Corsair Hydro Series H110 AIO CPU Cooler @ Tweaktown
• Corsair Hydro H110 280mm AiO CPU Cooler Review @ Pro-Clockers
• Compact Liquid Cooling Systems Roundup. Part I: Water on a Budget @ X-bit Labs

  ---

• NZXT Phantom 630 Computer Case @ Benchmark Reviews
• Zalman Z11 Plus @ Hardware.info
• IN WIN GT1 Mid-Tower ATX @ [H]ard|OCP
• Anidees AI-06W Midi Tower Review @ NikKTech
• Cooltek Coolcube Black @ techPowerUp
• Sharkoon REX8 Value Chassis @ eTeknix
• CM Storm Scout II Advanced Chassis @ eTeknix
• Nanoxia Deep Silence 2 Mid-Tower @ Tweaktown
• In Win D-Frame @ techPowerUp
• Coolermaster Centurion 6 @ Rbmods

A SilverStone PSU so small it uses an 80mm fan

Subject: Cases and Cooling | March 14, 2013 - 06:11 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
Tagged: PSU, Silverstone, SFX ST45SF-G 450W, SFF, 80 Plus Gold, modular psu, SFX PSU

If you are looking to power a small form factor system and need a fully modular PSU in order to get it into a tightly packed case as well as high efficiency the SilverStone SFX ST45SF-G 450W is a decent choice.  It is Fully modular and is an SFX PSU, which as you might remember from Lee's review means that it lacks a -5V rail, not a necessary feature in today's systems.  [H]ard|OCP granted an award to this PSU, not because it is the best 450W PSU available, which is not, but because it is the best fully modular SFX PSU they have seen and they realize sacrifices have to be made in a PSU which is barely able to fit an 80mm fan inside.  Check out the full review to see if you think this PSU is worth the price premium or if you might just consider a larger PSU for your HTPC.

"Silverstone is one of our favorite computer power supply builders as the company has a tremendous track record when it comes to high quality and quiet power for our desktop systems. Today we look at something a bit different in terms of scale, a PSU pushing 450 watts of power in a package half the size with its sights on the SFF market."

Here are some more Cases & Cooling reviews from around the web:

CASES & COOLING

• NZXT Hale90 V2 1000 Watt Power Supply Review @ Pro-Clockers
• be quiet! Dark Power Pro 10 1000 Watt PSU Review @ Hi Tech Legion
• Cooler Master Silent Pro Platinum 1000-Watt 80 PLUS Platinum @ Tweaktown
• Silverstone Strider Gold ST65F-G 650 W @ techPowerUp
• Infinity 500W Power Supply - Bargain Hunt @ Funky Kit
• Fractal Design NEWTON R3 1000W @ kitguru
• PC Power and Cooling Silencer Mark III 750W @ Funky Kit
• Seasonic Platinum Series Fanless 460 W @ techPowerUp
• NZXT Hale90 V2 1000W Power Supply Review @ Hi Tech Legion
• Enermax Triathlor FC 550W/650W Power Supply Review @ Pro-Clockers
• Seasonic G Series 550W SSR-550RM Power Supply Review @ Legit Reviews