Author: Ľubomír Samák

When E cores are disabled: Core i5-13400F vs. Core i5-12400(F)

Extra tests, Processors | | Ľubomír Samák

With the little (E) cores turned off, the Core i5-13400(F) becomes a 6-core processor with 12 threads in the same way that the older Core i5-12400(F) is. This intergenerational comparison is also a side product of tests main goal of which is to show the impact of E cores not only on computational and gaming performance, but also on operational characteristics. The biggest differences occur in the situations that mainstream PCs run into most often. Read more “When E cores are disabled: Core i5-13400F vs. Core i5-12400(F)” »

RTX 4080 Noctua Edition is out. Great cooler, what about the coils?

Graphics, News | | Ľubomír Samák

You already know the non-reference graphics cards with Noctua coolers from the Nvidia Ampere generation (GeForce RTX 3000), but now comes the first design with an Ada Lovelace GPU, on the RTX 4080. The main improvement of the cooler lies in the use of the Vapor Chamber and the cooling efficiency seems to be really top-notch. But we know less about the coils – nobody was really concerned with them in tests, but we did get some information from Noctua. Read more “RTX 4080 Noctua Edition is out. Great cooler, what about the coils?” »

Prisma AL-14 PWM: The best 140mm fan by Fractal Design?

Cooling, Extra tests, Fans | | Ľubomír Samák

Fractal Design claims the Prisma models as its most efficient 140mm fans. According to the specs, they are supposed to achieve the highest airflow at a lower noise level than the Aspect 14s. However, this is physically impossible due to the constructional differences of the two fans. The title of the article has a bit of a pejorative tone and while the Prisma AL-14 PWM is a decent fan, it already has a superior from its own ranks. Read more “Prisma AL-14 PWM: The best 140mm fan by Fractal Design?” »

Not every Core i5-13400F is the same: Raptor (B0) vs. Alder (C0) lake

Extra tests, Processors | | Ľubomír Samák

In the vast majority of Intel Core i5-13400F processor tests (including ours), you’ve studied the results of the variant built on the Golden Cove cores from the Alder Lake generation. But there is also an iteration from Raptor Lake (with Raptor Cove cores). However, this processor is harder to get hold of, its availability is considerably weaker, but it is obtainable. You’ll find out if it’s worth the extra effort from the comparative analysis. Read more “Not every Core i5-13400F is the same: Raptor (B0) vs. Alder (C0) lake” »

Gigabyte Aorus 140 ARGB: Short/quiet and lighted (blades)

Cooling, Extra tests, Fans | | Ľubomír Samák

Blade length is always the “topic”, but will be more common with 140mm fans than smaller variants. Some bet on long blades for preference of selected features, the other manufacturer on short ones. And such (short) and overall more robust blades are also used by the 140mm Aorus fan. From certain points of view this is quite a big advantage, but for which something had to be sacrificed. It’s a quid pro quo. Read more “Gigabyte Aorus 140 ARGB: Short/quiet and lighted (blades)” »

BeQuiet! Light Wings (140 mm): Different size, different geometry

Cooling, Extra tests, Fans | | Ľubomír Samák

We analyzed the “Light Wings” fan fairly recently, but that was in the 120 mm format. BeQuiet! approached the 140mm model a little differently. Although the frame is only proportionally enlarged, the shape of the rotor is already significantly different. It relies on long, curved blades, which look great in this cross-section, but there are some design caveats. Still, in some applications, this fan excels. Read more “BeQuiet! Light Wings (140 mm): Different size, different geometry” »

Axagon CLR-M2FAN: Active SSD cooler for closed off spaces

Cooling, Extra tests, SSD coolers | | Ľubomír Samák

Many people look down on SSD coolers with fans, saying that “a proper heatsink must be enough in this power class”. But it’s a bit more complicated than that. Direct fan cooling of the fins makes sense for SSD coolers as well. However, this is only sometimes the case, it depends on the environment in which the SSD is operating. And when it fits yours, you can’t overlook Axagon’s cooler (CLR-M2FAN) when deciding. Read more “Axagon CLR-M2FAN: Active SSD cooler for closed off spaces” »

Stiffer and more efficient, improvements of the Arctic P12 (Max)

Cooling, Fans, News | | Ľubomír Samák

Arctic has released a successor to the P12 fan, or perhaps more likely a higher-end model of it, as the P12 Max is a bit more expensive. That’s because it has a significantly more sophisticated design that addresses the shortcomings of the P12. In particular, the P12 Max has stiffened blades to counteract the high vibration of Arctic’s 5-blade rotors, and also, it will be one of the most powerful 120mm fans due to its significantly increased speed. Read more “Stiffer and more efficient, improvements of the Arctic P12 (Max)” »

FD Aspect 14 RGB PWM: Larger rotor, higher airflow per dBA

Cooling, Extra tests, Fans | | Ľubomír Samák

Starting with the Fractal Design Aspect 14 RGB PWM test, we are starting to build a database of 140mm fan results. These may have a smaller market presence due to poorer compatibility, but compared to the 120mm models they have the makings of higher efficiency, which is why they are more popular among many users. The Aspect 14 RGB PWM fan, in addition to its aerodynamic qualities, also fights for customer favour with its lighting. Read more “FD Aspect 14 RGB PWM: Larger rotor, higher airflow per dBA” »

Impressive top-flow cooler Jiushark: 265W TDP, priced at 40 EUR

Cooling, CPU coolers, News | | Ľubomír Samák

If there’s anything missing in the relatively oversaturated range of CPU coolers, it’s a properly powerful top-flow model. The Chinese company Jiushark now brings one such cooler. Although it is not a completely original design (there already has been a similar cooler), it currently makes a rather unique impression. You will look in vain for an alternative with comparable TDP to the JF13K-Diamond cooler in its price range. Read more “Impressive top-flow cooler Jiushark: 265W TDP, priced at 40 EUR” »

Qnap TS-435XeU – compact and quiet NAS for 1U rack

Extra tests, Networks | | Ľubomír Samák

Network storage is primarily used in enterprises and server farms, but it can also be used in a home. After all, who among us doesn’t have hundreds of photos and videos on our smartphones or cameras. Also not to forget regular backups and external HDDs, which are not really practical in this regard. But what to do if you’re looking for an affordable and quiet NAS, but with premium connectivity and six slots? Read more “Qnap TS-435XeU – compact and quiet NAS for 1U rack” »

Kotetsu Mark III, Scythe modernizes its mid-range CPU coolers

Cooling, CPU coolers, News | | Ľubomír Samák

Neither small nor big, just Kotetsu Mark. The latest, third version of this CPU cooler comes with support for AMD AM5 and Intel LGA 1700 platforms in particular. In terms of body design, the Kotetsu Mark III sticks to the features of its predecessor in many ways, but at least one change with the new heatsink raises questions. The answers are perhaps the features of the Kaze Flex II fan, which will eventually be used in this line (of Kotetsu coolers) as well. Read more “Kotetsu Mark III, Scythe modernizes its mid-range CPU coolers” »

MSI RTX 4070 Ti Suprim X 12G: Band-aid for the “too pricey 4080”

Extra tests, Graphics | | Ľubomír Samák

After the GeForce RTX 4080 graphics cards, which wasn’t to many people’s taste due to the higher price, Nvidia has released a significantly cheaper GPU for the GeForce RTX 4070 Ti. The performance versus the RTX 4080 is admittedly noticeably weaker, but percentage-wise not by as much as the roughly two-thirds lower price of the RTX 4070 Ti. In our tests, we analyze MSI’s non-reference design from the top-of-the-line Suprim series. Read more “MSI RTX 4070 Ti Suprim X 12G: Band-aid for the “too pricey 4080”” »

DeepCool FK120 fan: Efficiency ceiling for some scenarios

Cooling, Extra tests, Fans | | Ľubomír Samák

It is made in the same injection mould as the FC120, but still has noticeably better properties. Stronger material, higher weight, different bearings and a more powerful motor make the FK120 one of the most attractive options among inexpensive fans. But that’s only assuming the “right” adjustment. Outside of that, this fan can be quite uncomfortable and ironically for the same reason it is sometimes unbeatable. Read more “DeepCool FK120 fan: Efficiency ceiling for some scenarios” »

Ryzen 9 7950X: AMD’s elite CPU beats but also doesn’t beat Core i9

Extra tests, Processors | | Ľubomír Samák

We saved our tests of the most powerful Ryzen 7000 processor for last, for a number of reasons, as the last “X” model to expand the results database from this generation. The Ryzen 9 7950X, with its 32 threads, stands up to its 32-threaded competitor in the form of the Core i9-13900K with sovereignty, despite having eight fewer cores. Some might even state that it is the more cost-effective processor. But it comes down to your own point of view. Read more “Ryzen 9 7950X: AMD’s elite CPU beats but also doesn’t beat Core i9” »

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