Windows 11 stops working on more processors, requires SSE4.2

News, Processors | | Jan Olšan

This year, the vague uncertainty about Windows 11 not supporting older computers turned into reality, as the OS began using the POPCNT instruction, causing it to stop working on many processors. However, this was not all and the requirements may increase further. In fact, now Windows 11 is starting to require additional instruction set extensions that will shut down more processor families, including Phenoms and the first APUs. Read more “Windows 11 stops working on more processors, requires SSE4.2” »

DeepCool CH160 is a cheap ITX case for large components

News, PC cases | | Ľubomír Samák

Twenty liters of volume, yet still room for graphics cards such as the GeForce RTX 4090 or the tallest tower coolers. Plus a handle on the top. Few things better define a case for gaming events where you come with your own powerful PC. In this case, we’re talking about the DeepCool CH160. This is a new “SFF” case with a suggested price of just 60 EUR, where the emphasis is on efficient cooling rather than premium design. Read more “DeepCool CH160 is a cheap ITX case for large components” »

Next-gen Xeon 6 has 128 Meteor Lake P-Cores and 500W TDP

News, Processors | | Jan Olšan

We recently mused that Intel could catch up, if not overtake AMD in iGPU performance, but now there’s information suggesting upcoming Intel Xeon processors could close the gap with AMD in servers. In fact, the “Granite Rapids” processors appear to eliminate AMD Epyc processors’ long-standing lead in core count and will bring as many as 128 cores. However, these will probably use the not-so-successful Meteor Lake microarchitecture… Read more “Next-gen Xeon 6 has 128 Meteor Lake P-Cores and 500W TDP” »

Display on a CPU cooler: DeepCool AK620 Digital preview

Cooling, CPU coolers, Preview | | Ľubomír Samák

For coolers (but also cases) with the Digital attribute, DeepCool creates a built-in display. Its implementation is minimalist in spirit, doesn’t increase the price significantly, and can be considered useful. With regard to monitoring CPU temperatures and load intensity, it’s a thematic value added, which we’ll now look at in the context of the powerful AK620 (Digital) dual-tower cooler. Read more “Display on a CPU cooler: DeepCool AK620 Digital preview” »

Caveat: RGB LEDs can damage graphics cards and other hardware

Graphics, Memory, News, PC cases | | Jan Olšan

A curious “scandal” has now surfaced on the Internet: it seems that decorative RGB LEDs in your computer may not be a purely cosmetic feature that has no effect on the hardware. Users on social media have noticed that the illumination can leave an irreversible mark on your hardware, so to speak, such as on a graphics card that you have next to your RGB memory. Whether this can also have adverse effects on users is hard to say. Read more “Caveat: RGB LEDs can damage graphics cards and other hardware” »

ROG Strix Z790-A Gaming WiFi II: Not only the most efficient

Extra tests, Motherboards | | Ľubomír Samák

Relative to computing (or gaming) performance, it has the lowest power consumption at factory settings. And the ROG Strix Z790-A Gaming WiFi II also sits among the more modern motherboards available for the Intel LGA 1700 platform. It’s already from the “second wave”, where network connectivity has been upgraded (to WiFi 7) and for example the support for DIMM Flex, useful for memory with extremely high bandwidth, is also new. Read more “ROG Strix Z790-A Gaming WiFi II: Not only the most efficient” »

Stacked DRAM on the horizon. Could be a revolution like 3D NAND

Memory, News, Technology | | Jan Olšan

DRAM used in operating memory has long been experiencing problems. It doesn’t have the best scaling to new manufacturing nodes, which limits capacity growth. Things used to be similar with 15nm NAND Flash, the last gen  before planar technology was replaced by 3D NAND. That literally breathed new life (or at least TBWs) into SSDs. However, a stacked “3D” version is now shaping up for DRAM as well, giving hopes it could be similarly groundbreaking. Read more “Stacked DRAM on the horizon. Could be a revolution like 3D NAND” »

Axagon Riddle (4/2024). Can you guess what’s in the photo?

Giveaway, News | | Editors

In cooperation with Axagon, we have prepared a cyclical activity for this year, which may be of interest to HWCooling readers. We’ll post a detail of some piece of hardware and you can guess what it is. You can compete (and eventually win something) on a regular basis, with a new challenge every month. But for now, you need to get “to the next round” through the next one, in April. Read more “Axagon Riddle (4/2024). Can you guess what’s in the photo?” »

Ray tracing for old games: NVIDIA RTX Remix tested

Extra tests, Graphics | | Jan Olšan

Sometimes people say that today’s games don’t measure up to the old ones and don’t offer much besides visuals. But what if modern visuals could be added to classic games that are even twenty years old? NVIDIA’s RTX Remix technology (or software) is supposed to do just that, making it relatively easy to add better graphics to even very old games using a mod – including raytracing effects and things like DLSS or DLAA. Let’s see how it works. Read more “Ray tracing for old games: NVIDIA RTX Remix tested” »

Unstable Raptor Lake CPUs on the rise, Intel analyzes the issue

News, Processors | | Jan Olšan

We recently reported on Intel Raptor Lake processors stability issues in games. Reports of crashes often accompanied by misleading messages about lack of video memory don’t seem to be subsiding, but rather multiplying, as do the number of games in which these problems are reported. Intel has not yet taken an official position on the matter, but is analyzing the problem. It is perhaps the biggest such issue with Intel processors in recent times. Read more “Unstable Raptor Lake CPUs on the rise, Intel analyzes the issue” »

In the works: Trilogy of different Arctic P14 variant tests

Cooling, Fans, Preview | | Ľubomír Samák

Slowly but surely, the Arctic P14 fan tests are coming up. In a short time sequence we will analyze all models that differ from each other more than the color design. After testing the base model, we’ll look at how the use of ball bearings (instead of fluid bearings) affects the results, culminating with the P14 Max framed impeller. That this fan must be the most efficient? Not necessarily. Read more “In the works: Trilogy of different Arctic P14 variant tests” »

RDNA 4 Radeon GPUs: specs and performance of both chips leaked

Graphics, News | | Jan Olšan

Previously, new GPU generations were coming in 2-year cycles, which would mean a launch this fall. However, Nvidia’s roadmap has put the GeForce RTX 5000 launch into 2025 some time ago. AMD is still unclear on the launch date of Radeon RX 8000s, but there’s some chance it’s within this year. The specs of these GPUs using RDNA 4 architecture have now surfaced on the internet. If they are real, it might even point to a release relatively soon. Read more “RDNA 4 Radeon GPUs: specs and performance of both chips leaked” »

Want an extra short ATX PSU? Enermax is giving some away

Giveaway, News | | Editors

In cooperation with Enermax, we are organizing an activity where you can win one Revolution D.F. 12 PSU in any variant. 750 W or 850 W? Black, white? It doesn’t matter, whichever you choose for your build. The only condition is that you make the best use of its unique feature in the form of an extra short design. These are the shortest PSUs in the ATX format, and in this case, they also feature the latest ATX 3.1 standard. Read more “Want an extra short ATX PSU? Enermax is giving some away” »

DeepCool: Efficient cooling even in smaller cases (CH360)

News, PC cases | | Ľubomír Samák

DeepCool has released cases designed for motherboards up to mATX. This paves the way for more space-saving PC builds and, in the case of the CH360 series of cases, at a relatively low price. Starting at 80 EUR, the cheapest model seems like a fair offer considering that as many as three fans are included. And for a small premium, you can also have a display to monitor component temperatures. Read more “DeepCool: Efficient cooling even in smaller cases (CH360)” »

Detailed analysis: How much SSD coolers lower temperatures

Cooling, Extra tests, SSD coolers | | Ľubomír Samák

The SSD cooler database finally adds SSD temperature results without a cooler. These show to what extent a cooler is beneficial, or by how much it knocks down controller and memory temperatures. Some really significantly, for others it’s worse. There are more reasons for this, but the important thing is to have a check on what is happening and under what circumstances. You might end up using an alternative cooler instead of the motherboard one. Read more “Detailed analysis: How much SSD coolers lower temperatures” »

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